Communal Cleaning for Managed Buildings
A communal cleaning contract covers agreed shared areas. A written schedule should identify which entrances, routes and facilities are included, how often each task is done and who to contact if something is missed.
Which areas are included in communal cleaning?
Communal cleaning can cover entrances, lifts, stairwells, corridors and shared facilities. The exact tasks depend on your building layout, access arrangements and who uses each space.
| Shared area | Typical tasks |
|---|---|
| Entrances and reception | Clean entrance mats and floors, wipe accessible surfaces and remove visible marks from agreed internal glass. |
| Corridors, landings and stairwells | Vacuum or mop floors, wipe handrails and attend to edges on the agreed schedule. |
| Lifts | Clean floors, doors, mirrors, handrails and button panels using suitable methods. |
| Shared washrooms and kitchens | Clean agreed fixtures, sinks, worktops, floors and touchpoints, and empty agreed bins. |
| Shared waste areas | Agree which bins are emptied, the route to the collection point and whether bin-store cleaning is included. |
Items to agree separately
Ask for separate lines for consumable supply or replenishment, specialist floor treatments and periodic deep cleaning. Confirm whether internal glazing and bin stores are part of the routine and how often they are serviced.
Which areas are the managing agent’s responsibility?
Use your building’s lease and service specification to identify who is responsible for each space. Record the shared areas, tenant areas and exceptions by floor or room before agreeing the quote.
Example for a multi-tenant London office
The managing agent might commission cleaning for the main lobby, lifts, stairwells and shared washrooms. Individual tenants might arrange cleaning for their own desks, meeting rooms and private kitchens. If one kitchen serves several tenants, list it in the shared schedule and name the person responsible for access and reporting. For premises that need both services, see our London office cleaning coverage.
How often should communal areas be cleaned?
Set frequency by how each space is used. A busy entrance and lift may need daily attention, while a low-use landing may need fewer visits under the same contract. Shared washrooms can require more frequent checks at peak times.
During the survey, identify when people arrive, which routes stay busy and where complaints recur. Agree any early-morning or evening access with the building contact, including keys, passes and alarm procedures where applicable.
How much does communal area cleaning cost?
The quote depends on the areas covered, visit frequency, planned cleaning hours, flooring and access arrangements. A site survey helps identify high-footfall areas, the time needed for each visit and any periodic work that should be priced separately.
Ask the quote to show the areas, tasks and frequencies, planned hours, cover arrangements and any separately priced items. To request one, send your postcode, number of floors, shared facilities, preferred visit times and current cleaning hours if known.
How are standards checked and issues reported?
Agree who checks the work, how often inspections take place and where to report a missed task. Use the site specification to review standards by area and confirm who will follow up on any corrective action.
Before mobilisation, agree who holds keys or passes, how the cleaner records access problems, and how cover staff are briefed on building rules and priority areas.
Frequently asked questions
Can you clean before the building opens?
Early-morning or evening visits can be discussed, subject to the agreed cleaning window, access and availability.
Can we combine communal cleaning with periodic deep cleaning?
Yes. Agree the areas and frequency for periodic work separately, especially where floors, entrance mats or shared washrooms need more intensive cleaning.
Are the cleaners vetted?
All staff are fully vetted. DBS checks are available where needed. Tell us about any site-specific requirements before mobilisation.
Can the cleaning specification cover several buildings?
Yes. Share each address and the shared areas at each site so the schedule can reflect the differences between buildings.
Areas we cover
We support managed buildings in London, including the City, Canary Wharf and the West End, subject to the scope and location of the work. We also serve Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff.
Related services include commercial deep cleaning and commercial cleaning for wider premises.
Client feedback
Property Manager, Managed Commercial Building
“Citywide Cleaning Company helped us improve the standard across entrances, corridors and shared washrooms. The building feels better maintained and communication is clearer.”
Facilities Coordinator, Multi-Tenant Workspace
“We needed cleaners who understood shared areas and tenant-facing spaces. Citywide created a routine that works around building use and keeps standards consistent.”
Managing Agent, Mixed-Use Premises
“The stairwells, lifts and communal areas are noticeably better. The service is organised and easier to manage than our previous provider.”
Office Manager, Serviced Office Building
“Our shared kitchens, corridors and reception areas look much better day to day. The team is reliable and the service feels properly structured.”
Request a Communal Area Cleaning Quote
Tell us which areas are shared, how the building is used and when cleaners can access it. For recurring cleaning contracts, our minimum is 40 cleaning hours per week.
For a London building that needs cleaning in both shared spaces and tenant offices, start with Office Cleaning London.
Get a Free Communal Area Cleaning Quote