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Cleaning

Keeping communal areas of our buildings clean is another way we can create homes and communities that are safe, attractive and pleasant places to live.

Our cleaning service

Sasse Facilities Management Services Limited provides cleaning services on our behalf across the district. We selected them as the best contractor for the job by getting a group of our tenants, alongside staff, to shape the specification, evaluate the bids, and select Sasse as the preferred contractor.

So you can recognise them easily, all Sasse's vehicles carry both the Red Kite logo and the Sasse logo, which looks like this:

All staff from Sasse are fully uniformed in Sasse colours along with our logo.

The cleaning tasks

Sasse are responsible for cleaning the areas of your blocks, including lobbies, stairwells, corridors, bin stores and windows. The number of areas they clean depends on which block you live in and an accurate list can be found on your noticeboard.

Tasks include vacuuming, sweeping and mopping of floors; dusting and wiping of surfaces, and the removal of litter and graffiti. Sasse will make sure that an agreed standard is met at all times.

Our standards

We have set out four standards, A, B, C, and D, where:

  • A is considered very good
  • B is satisfactory
  • C is poor
  • D is totally unacceptable

We expect an A standard for all parts of the cleaning service after every visit by Sasse. We expect all maintenance services to be delivered to a B standard at all times.

If we inspect a site and find a C standard Sasse will return to the site within 24 hours. Any inspection that highlights a D standard will result in Sasse being issued with a Default Notice, meaning that we can withhold payment.

Standard A is considered very good. You should expect to see this standard after every visit by Sasse.

There is no dirt on the stairs or landings and there is no dirt in corners or stuck to the floor.

There is no dirt on the stairs or landings and there is no dirt in corners or stuck to the floor.
Floors are in good condition and are swept, mopped and clean to the touch.

Floors are in good condition and are swept, mopped, and clean to the touch.
Windows have no dirt, no dust, no cobwebs and general level of cleanliness is excellent. Ledges are totally litter free. Handrails are very clean and dust free. They are obviously wiped and dusted regularly.

Windows have no dirt, no dust, no cobwebs, and the general level of cleanliness is excellent. Ledges are totally litter-free. Handrails are very clean and dust-free. They are obviously wiped and dusted regularly.
Garage areas should be clear of litter, weeds and debris. They should also be free of graffiti, fly tipping and vandalism. Paths are free of litter, leaves and sharp objects.

Garage areas should be clear of litter, weeds and debris. They should also be free of graffiti, fly-tipping and vandalism. Paths are free of litter, leaves and sharp objects.

Standard B is considered satisfactory. You should not expect to see any worse than this standard at any time.

There is no dust or litter and the surface is clean to touch.

There is no dust or litter and the surface is clean to the touch.
There is a little dust on the base of handrails since last wiped but still clean.

There is a little dust on the base of handrails since they were last wiped, but they are still clean.
Windows are in an acceptable condition and there is no more litter on the ledge than you would expect. There may be small bits of dirt present on floors even though they have just been swept and mopped.

Windows are in an acceptable condition and there is no more litter on the ledge than you would expect. There may be small bits of dirt present on floors even though they have just been swept and mopped.
The garage area is reasonably clean and well maintained, requiring little work to bring it up to standard A. It may contain small amounts of weed growth but should be in a good state of repair.

The garage area is reasonably clean and well maintained, requiring little work to bring it up to standard A. It may contain small amounts of weed growth but should be in a good state of repair.
Paths and roadway areas typically have no more litter than you would expect as weeks pass.

Paths and roadway areas typically have no more litter than you would expect as weeks pass.

Standard C is considered poor. If you see this standard you should contact us so that we can inspect the area.

Windows have a water streak down the inside. The ledges and window sills are in very poor condition with high build up of litter.

Windows have a water streak down the inside. The ledges and window sills are in very poor condition with a large build-up of litter.
The light diffuser is in poor condition with old cobwebs and dirty surfaces.

The light diffuser is in poor condition with old cobwebs and dirty surfaces.
Handrails and banisters are dirty and there are old cobwebs. There is dust along the floor, which has not been cleaned daily.

Handrails and banisters are dirty and there are old cobwebs. There is dust along the floor, which has not been cleaned daily.
Garages contain small amounts of debris and refuse. There may be small amounts of fly tipping and weed and moss growth. There may be some evidence of disrepair and minor vandalism.

Garages contain small amounts of debris and refuse. There may be small amounts of fly-tipping and weed and moss growth. There may be some evidence of disrepair and minor vandalism.
Paths and roadways have a high build up of litter and leaves.

Paths and roadways have a high build-up of litter and leaves.

Standard D is considered totally unacceptable. If you see this standard you should contact us so that we can inspect.

Hand rails are too dirty to be used. There is no evidence of any wiping, dusting or cleaning.

Handrails are too dirty to be used. There is no evidence of any wiping, dusting or cleaning.
The window is in very poor condition; the frame and glass is covered in excessive cobwebs, dust and dirt.

The window is in very poor condition; the frame and glass are covered in excessive cobwebs, dust and dirt.
There is dirt and small pieces of glass mopped into the corner. Dirty corners on landings, alcohol bottles on stairs and evidence of drug use.

There is dirt and small pieces of glass mopped into the corner. Dirty corners on landings, alcohol bottles on stairs, and evidence of drug use.
Garage areas have extensive build-up of litter and debris. Bulk waste has not been removed and there is evidence of hazardous materials.

Garage areas have extensive build-up of litter and debris. Bulk waste has not been removed and there is evidence of hazardous materials.
Pathways have excessive amounts of litter or hazardous materials are found.

Pathways have excessive amounts of litter, or hazardous materials are found.

What you can expect

Area What to expect

Entrance halls, landings, corridors, lobbies and staircases, walkways and balconies
  • Entrance halls, landings, lifts, lobbies, porches, corridors and staircases left clean, tidy, free of dust and cobwebs, and smelling pleasant and fresh
  • Entrance halls swept and mopped
  • External steps and access areas swept and left clear of litter, leaves and rubbish
  • All floors swept or vacuumed. Stair nosings wiped clean. Non-carpeted floors swept, scrubbed free from scuffmarks and staining, and mopped clean
  • Walls free from dirt and removable scuff marks
  • Handrails, bannisters, door handles, kick plates, window sills and ledges cleaned and disinfected
  • Interconnecting walkways and balconies swept and mopped on each visit. All gullies, drains clear of litter and detritus at all times
  • Removable mats lifted, cleaned outside and replaced after the floor or mat-well has been cleaned.

Internal glass and internal and external communal windows
  • Internal glass panels washed, wiped clean and left free of streaks and smears
  • Instances of bird fouling, paint spillage or other smearing removed.
Lifts
  • Lift walls, doors and seats wiped clean and polished
  • Lift floors swept, mopped and disinfected
  • Lift door runners clean and free of any detritus
  • Graffiti removed in a timely manner.
Communal lighting
  • Communal lights wiped clean from dirt, dust and cobwebs
  • Interior and exterior communal lights checked for effective operation.
Internal bin stores, rubbish chutes and hopper heads
  • Internal bin stores and chambers tidied, swept, mopped and disinfected
  • Residual rubbish and waste in the bin rooms or stores rebagged and placed in the paladin bins
  • Refuse chutes cleared of blockages
  • Refuse hopper heads degreased, cleaned and disinfected.

Area What to expect
Entrance halls, landings, corridors, lobbies and staircases, walkways and balconies
  • Polished or vinyl floors polished and buffed
Communal lighting
  • Light fittings and covers removed and cleaned

Area What to expect
Internal glass and internal and external communal windows
  • All accessible external windows in communal areas cleaned (twice a year)
Deep cleaning
  • Washing of all internal walls
  • All floors swept and mopped before the deep clean
  • Intensive cleaning of:
    • Floor areas
    • Lift surfaces, panes, panels, and doors
    • High level areas
    • Banisters and removal of accumulated dirt
    • Paladin bin stores
    • Communal bin stores and recycling locations on estates
    • Bin chambers and storage areas
    • Hopper hoods for communal chutes and refuse chutes
    • Internal windows and frames
  • Carpets to be thoroughly vacuumed and any stains removed.

Area What to expect

Paths, alleyways, pathways, hard surface areas, gravelled areas, garage and parking areas, block entranceways, steps, bin sheds, drying areas, communal sitting areas
  • Cleaning of signage
  • Removal of animal fouling
  • Swept clean, tidy, free of litter, debris and dirt.

Litter picking
  • Collection of litter from all hard areas, under hedges and bushes, all grassed and soft landscaped areas, shrubs and any other planted areas.
Leaf collection
  • Dead foliage removed from hard landscaped areas.
Cleaning of signage
  • Signage, estate maps, notice boards and block signage cleaned and free of graffiti and vandalism.
External bin areas
  • All external bin areas tidied, swept, mopped and disinfected.

Cleaning schedules

Our cleaning schedules are subject to change. Our cleaners work to a specific standard, so if they notice that a block needs some extra care they will adjust the schedule to accommodate this.

Take a look at our cleaning schedule for days of the week you can expect your building to be cleaned:

Building Cleaning day
The Acres Tuesday
Anglesley Court Tuesday
Archdale Tuesday
Arundel House (1-12) Thursday

Building Cleaning day
Bailey House Tuesday
Baines House Monday
Barleyfields Wednesday
Barrowcroft Friday
Barry Close Tuesday
Beech Close Friday
Bodian House (1-12) Thursday
Bowerdean Road Thursday
Brent Road Wednesday
Britnall Court Tuesday
Brooke Furmston Wednesday
Brooke Road Tuesday

Building Cleaning day
Carisbrooke House (1-18) Thursday
Chartridge House Monday
Chichester Close Thursday
Conway House Monday

Building Cleaning day
Denham Road Friday
Darby Lodge Tuesday

Building Cleaning day
Edgewood Monday
Elliot House Wednesday
Ely House (1-8) Monday

Building Cleaning day
Fernie Fields litter pick Tuesday
Fir Tree Cottages Tuesday
Five Acres Tuesday
Foxes Piece Friday

Building Cleaning day
The Gables Wednesday
Gatensbury Place Every day
George Lee Court Tuesday
Gibbs House Friday
Gilbert House Thursday
Gray's Dormer Monday
Greenway Court Thursday
Gweneth Court Wednesday

Building Cleaning day
Harlech House (1-18) Thursday
Havenfield Thursday
Hayden House Monday
Hereford House (1-8) Monday
Hicks Farm Rise Friday
Kennet Close Tuesday
Hollis Road (1 & Common room) Monday
Hollis Road (3-35) Monday

Building Cleaning day
Laburnum Road Wednesday
Linchfield (31-72) Monday

Building Cleaning day
Mahoney Court Monday
Mayorfield House Monday
Mclellan Place Monday
Mendip Way Wednesday

Building Cleaning day
Nancy Hall Court Wednesday
New Court Wednesday
New Road Gardens Wednesday
Nickson Court Tuesday
Norwich House (1-8) Monday
Nottingham House (1-18) Thursday

Building Cleaning day
Orchard House Tuesday

Building Cleaning day
Park Street Wednesday
Parsonage Close Tuesday
The Pastures Wednesday
Patches Field Monday
Pendrill House Thursday

Building Cleaning day
The Quadrangle Friday
Queens Place Friday

Building Cleaning day
Selbourne House Tuesday
Severn House Monday
Shaftsbury Street Wednesday
Shelburne Court Monday
Shiplake House Tuesday
St Birinus Friday
Stirling House (1-12) Thursday

Building Cleaning day
Tamar House Monday
The Acres Tuesday
The Gables Wednesday
The Pastures Wednesday
The Quadrangle Friday
Totteridge Drive Friday
Totteridge Road Thursday

Building Cleaning day
Warwick House (1-12) Thursday
Westwood Monday
Woollerton Court Every day
Wycombe View Friday

Building Cleaning day
York House (1-8) Monday

Window cleaning

Window cleaning will be carried out:

  • Once every two months in sheltered accommodation
  • Once every six months on general needs communal windows.

Please note: Individual homes are not included.

Get in touch with us if you'd like to know when your windows are next due to be cleaned.

Graffiti

Have you spotted some graffiti that needs our attention? Please complete our Communal Spaces Report form and our team will be in touch. If the graffiti includes hate speech we will respond with higher priority.

If you need to report something urgent, and you're not reporting during working hours, please use our out-of-hours service instead, by calling 01494 476100.

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