From October, our estate cleaning teams are going mobile – and with an additional team to tackle deep cleaning.
We’re making this big change to our service, following the resident surveys and focus groups we held last year. We also consulted staff.
You wanted us to improve our service and for estate staff to be more visible. We want a more flexible service – moving away from regular routine visits to focus on cleaning where its really needed. This ‘output-based’ approach is the way the housing sector is moving nationally.
From the Autumn, our estate cleaners will work in small teams across a patch. We will also invest properly in the equipment and tools they need to help them in their work. We are creating new roles in the team, to make sure we meet a new set of standards.
Photobook
Our standards will be set out in a photobook. If an area is already up to standard, it won’t be cleaned. But if it’s in a poor state, it may get more visits than currently. We will use the extra time we save to carry out additional work – including steam cleaning. We think you will notice the difference.
So, in future, you should ask: “Does our scheme or block look clean?” and not: “Where’s the cleaner. Its Tuesday morning and he hasn’t been here yet?!”
Overall, our aim will be to clean to a new level A standard – and for areas to remain at a level B between visits. If anti-social behaviour or similar lowers standards further, we will sort it out as a priority, as soon as we hear about it.
Four Standard Levels
Level A: Excellent – just been completely cleaned. Your communal area is clean – even if the decor has signs of wear and tear.
Level B: Good – Area is clean and tidy. There may be a little litter or signs of foot traffic.
Level C: Poor – needs attention.
Level D: Unacceptable – needs immediate attention.
You will be able to check out the cleaning photobook using the the following link:
The images on this page were supplied courtesy of Housemark Limited.