Home › Other situations › Cleaning shared spaces › Guide

 

Keeping shared spaces clean: tasks, agreements and management

 

Unclear cleaning arrangements can leave a shared entrance dirty and neighbours frustrated. How can you agree who does what and how missed cleaning is reported?

 

Start with the existing scheme. Sometimes cleaning is outsourced, sometimes residents agree on tasks and sometimes there is no usable agreement. These situations require a different first step.

 

This guide applies to England.

 

 

What needs to be done and who is doing it now?

 

Describe the location and problem, such as a spill, slippery floor or missed cleaning. Separate regular cleaning from mess after a particular activity.

 

Ask what division of labour already exists and who manages the contact with the cleaning company. A neighbour you never see cleaning is not necessarily the one who skips an agreed task.

 

 

Why can expectations differ?

 

People may have different expectations about daily tidying and scheduled cleaning. Clarify the existing agreement rather than imposing new duties on another resident.

 

Mobility, working hours or missing equipment may make a task difficult. Discuss a workable arrangement without asking for private medical details.

 

 

How do you open the conversation?

 

A calm proposal

“The floor by the shared entrance has stayed dirty over the last few weeks. Do you know who arranges cleaning? Could we ask the manager for a clear schedule and a contact for missed visits?”

 

Distinguish between tasks

Discuss immediate cleaning after your own use, the regular cleaning and special maintenance separately. Ask who can quickly treat a spill or unsafe surface.

 

 

What tools make agreements workable?

 

A brief job description

Use four simple headings: area or task, frequency, person or contractor responsible, and reporting contact. For example: entrance floor; agreed cleaning schedule; appointed contractor; building manager. Confirm the arrangement with whoever has authority to organise it.

 

Appropriate resources and access

Ask who supplies materials and where they are stored safely. Use the products according to the instructions and do not mix cleaning products. Have specialist work done by suitable contractors.

 

A review date

Review the arrangement after a few weeks. Ask the building manager to follow up missed contractor visits. Report a slip hazard immediately rather than waiting for the review.

 

 

 

Which rules apply in England?

 

Check the tenancy or lease for the cleaning arrangements and the responsibilities of the landlord or managing agent. Cleaning and repairs can have different arrangements.

 

What if agreements are not carried out?

 

Ask for the agreed schedule and a named contact for missed cleaning. Report a slip hazard or spill promptly.

 

Sources and review date

Guide reviewed on 7 November 2026.

 

GOV.UK — Repairs in private rented housing

 

Keep the next step manageable

Use the free incident diary for a few representative observations, any agreement and improvements. If you need outside help, see Who can help. State what happened, what you have tried and what you are asking the recipient to do. You do not have to keep approaching the neighbour if contact feels unsafe.

 

Would you like to write to your neighbours?

 

On the situation page you can see the CalmNotes bundle, its contents and the other support options.