Understanding communal cleaning
Communal cleaning covers shared areas such as entrances and lobbies, corridors and stairwells, lifts, bin stores. In some buildings, it may also include outdoor paths or covered entrances. In other words, any shared or public part of where you live.
Our cleaning teams carry out regular tasks such as sweeping and mopping floors, wiping surfaces and sanitising areas that are touched often – like lift buttons or door handles. The aim is to make sure the spaces you pass through each day are well looked after, safe to use, and maintained to a good standard for all residents.
Why is communal cleaning included in my service charge?
Because shared areas are used by everyone in the building, the cost of keeping them clean is shared between residents through the service charge.
Why don’t the estimates always match the actual costs?
Your service charge estimate is based on what we expect services to cost for the year ahead. However, the final cost can sometimes be different.
For example, cleaning charges depend on the time needed to clean your building or estate. This includes regular visits and any extra cleaning that may be needed during the year. If extra cleaning is needed, the final cost may be higher than the original estimate.
What does the cleaning charge cover?
The charge covers cleaning staff salaries, materials and equipment, and health and safety measures.
Why do cleaning costs differ between buildings?
Costs vary depending on the size of the building, how many shared spaces there are, how often cleaning happens and whether any unplanned cleaning was needed.
How is my share of the cost worked out?
The total cost for your building is divided between residents in line with your lease or tenancy agreement.
How can I help keep shared areas clean?
Everyone who lives in the building plays a part in keeping communal spaces tidy. You can help by disposing of rubbish properly, not leaving personal items in corridors, and reporting spills or hazards when you see them.
Small actions make a big difference in keeping shared spaces safe and pleasant for everyone.
Need to get in touch?
You can contact us by phone, email or the My Peabody portal. Here are the details that’ll really help us sort out the problem:
- Your name and property address
- Specific location of the concern (e.g., "front lawn area," "hedge on north boundary")
- Clear description of the problem
- Photos if possible (especially helpful for overgrown areas or damage)
- Any safety concerns
Phone
If there’s an urgent issue (such as dangerous trees, blocked drainage, or safety hazards) give us a call:
Our lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. For out-of-hours emergencies, press option 1.
For anything that’s not urgent (like general questions or feedback about this service) you can email us:
We’ll try to get back to you within 2 working days.
Online
You can also report issues, track progress, and view scheduled works through your online account:
We’ll send you an automatic update when any work is scheduled or completed.