Maintaining cleanliness in common areas is essential for all types of properties, including commercial buildings, rentals and other facilities that have shared spaces. These communal spaces play an important role in keeping current tenants happy while attracting new occupants.

While tenants are responsible for their units, landlords and property managers must ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of common areas. In this article, we’ll explore why it’s essential to keep shared areas clean and looking their best. We’ll also highlight easy cleaning tips for these common spaces and why a janitorial cleaning service is the best option for keeping your property clean.

Are Landlords Responsible for Cleaning Common Areas?

Yes, landlords are required to maintain common areas on commercial properties and rentals. Although landlord-tenant laws vary by state, landlords and property managers are responsible for the upkeep of spaces including lobbies, rental offices, community rooms, and similar spaces. However, both landlords and tenants should review their leasing contracts to ensure all parties share the same understanding of cleaning responsibilities.

In addition to individual responsibilities, it’s in a landlord or property manager’s best interest to keep common areas clean and well-maintained. By keeping shared spaces in good condition, landlords can improve tenant satisfaction and maintain property values.

Common Area Maintenance Best Practices

To ensure common areas are inviting for residents and visitors, it’s important for property managers to thoroughly clean frequently touched and high-traffic areas. Different common areas will require different cleaning approaches, which is one of the many reasons why hiring a professional janitorial cleaning service can be worth the investment. These experts will have the knowledge and equipment to ensure a thorough cleaning with each visit.

Entrance Areas and Lobbies

Entrance areas and lobbies are what give tenants and visitors their first impression of your property. To maintain a welcoming environment, it’s important to regularly clean these areas by sweeping, mopping and vacuuming hard floors and carpets to remove dirt and debris. Glass surfaces, reception desks and any seating areas should also be cleaned and polished to remove grime and fingerprints.

Clean any entryway mats and carpets, as well. By addressing these areas, you can help prevent the tracking of dirt and debris further into the building.

Rental Offices and Business Centers

Between visitors and staff, rental offices have a significant amount of foot traffic. Dust and disinfect furniture and shared equipment like keyboards, phones and monitors to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Property managers should also make cleaning supplies available to staff to help ensure spaces stay tidy from day to day.

Like offices, business centers in your business will be used by a range of guests. The shared equipment in these communal workspaces may be frequently used for work tasks and meetings. As a result, these spaces will also need regular cleaning.

On-Site Gyms and Fitness Facilities

With the increasing demand for fitness amenities in commercial properties and rentals, on-site gyms and fitness centers have become popular. These fitness facilities require diligent cleaning to help prevent the spread of potentially dangerous bacteria.

All exercise equipment, mats and floors should be regularly cleaned and sanitized. Additionally, frequently touched surfaces, like door handles and handrails, should be regularly disinfected. Restroom and shower facilities must be cleaned and stocked with the necessary supplies to maintain a pleasant and safe environment.

Community Rooms and Lounges

Community rooms and lounges serve as social spaces for tenants to gather, relax and interact. That won’t happen if the furniture in your community areas is stained and filled with unpleasant odors.

To create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, the shared items within these rooms must be cleaned regularly. Specialized upholstery cleaning can keep your furniture looking and smelling fresh while also decreasing wear and tear by removing small particles embedded in the fabrics.

Elevators, Stairwells and Hallways

Elevators, stairwells and hallways are high-traffic areas in commercial properties and rental buildings. These spaces require regular cleaning and maintenance to look and smell their best. Elevator interiors, floors and buttons should be cleaned daily, and frequently touched areas should be regularly disinfected to prevent the spread of germs.

Hallways and stairwells also see a lot of foot traffic. These spaces should be swept, mopped and vacuumed daily. Frequently touched surfaces like handrails and doorknobs should also be thoroughly disinfected.

Laundry Facilities

If your building has laundry facilities, your tenants likely rely heavily on these spaces for their basic needs. Landlords should ensure that laundry facilities are regularly cleaned and disinfected. Laundry machines, dryers, folding tables and other surfaces that tenants frequently touch should be kept clean and well-maintained.

Property managers should also ensure washers and dryers are kept in good working order. This can help avoid malfunctions, including those that could potentially cause a fire, such as clogged lint traps.

Hiring Professional Janitorial Cleaning Services

While landlords and property managers can handle basic cleaning tasks, hiring a professional janitorial cleaning service can bring numerous benefits. These experts possess the knowledge, experience and resources to ensure thorough and efficient cleaning of all common areas.

The benefits of professional janitorial cleaning services include:

• Cleaning technique and product expertise. Professional cleaners possess the knowledge and skills to use appropriate cleaning techniques and products for different types of surfaces. This can ensure effective cleaning without causing damage.
• Better health and safety standards. Coverall^® commercial cleaning services are built on the CDC’s and AORN’s standards for cleaning and disinfecting. The proprietary Core 4® Process is designed to deliver a hospital-grade clean with each visit.
• Consistency and reliability. Professional cleaners maintain established cleaning routines and procedures to ensure that common areas are kept consistently well-maintained to leave a positive impression on all guests.
• Time and cost efficiency. By hiring outside janitorial cleaning services, landlords and property managers save time and resources. Professional cleaners bring their equipment and supplies, removing the need for purchasing and storing large amounts of cleaning products.

Keep Your Spaces Looking Their Best with Coverall Janitorial Cleaning Services

Common area maintenance, including condo cleaning, lounge cleaning and other general apartment maintenance, can significantly contribute to the overall appeal of your property. As a landlord or property manager, it’s important to maintain a high standard of cleanliness for your property to provide a pleasant experience for your tenants and guests.

The best way to keep your common spaces clean is with Coverall’s everyday general cleaning services and On-Demand cleaning services. This two-part approach can deliver a customized clean for your property with regularly scheduled service along with occasional enhanced services like deep cleaning.

To learn more about why Coverall’s Health-Based Cleaning System® is the gold standard in commercial cleaning, contact us for a free quote. From there, a Coverall Franchise Business Owner will work with you to determine the best cleaning approach for your property.