Caretakers' duties

What are the responsibilities of caretakers on my estate?

Caretakers on your estate are responsible for general cleaning and maintenance tasks, such as:

• Regular cleaning of hallways, stairs, landings, window ledges and light fittings, and spot cleaning as required
• Regular checks of refuse chutes and bin areas for blockages and excess refuse
• Where the block has a lift, these will be checked and cleaned daily
• Taking appropriate action if the lift breaks down or people become trapped
• Ensuring that regulations on the use of lifts are observed
• Removing obscene graffiti within 24 hours of being reported during the week
• Removing graffiti that is not obscene within 1 week
• Reporting of abandoned vehicles to the housing officer
• Removal of litter from all housing owned areas of the estate a minimum of once a week
• Reporting repairs to communal areas and all emergencies e.g. fire, flood, gas leaks, crime etc.
• Replacing faulty light bulbs in communal areas and reporting of any defects
• Advising residents on matters regarding to their estate i.e. the date(s) of rubbish collection, car parking and rubbish disposal
• In the event of heavy frost or a snow fall, sweeping clear pathways from the entrance doors, to allow free access.

Caretakers will also regularly litter pick estate grounds, including grassed areas, pathways, flower beds and shrubberies.

A designated contractor, employed by the council, will carry out grounds maintenance which includes maintaining grassed areas, flower beds, shrubberies and trees.

What are my responsibilities for keeping my estate clean?

• To keep clean and tidy any mats, carpets or plants placed in hallways and communal areas.
• Ensure there is no obstruction in communal areas within the flats.
• To dispose of refuse in the correct manner, by wrapping it in suitable bags and placing it within the refuse chutes, bins or other facilities provided.
• Disposing of all bulky items such as furniture, fridges, freezers and televisions in the correct manner. Read more about disposing of large household items here.

Further information

For more information about the tasks of caretakers on your estates, contact your area caretaking manager.