A strata building with unkempt landscaping, grimy lift buttons, overflowing rubbish bins, and strewn debris is truly an eyesore. Not only is this sight embarrassing for committee members and owners, but it also affects day-to-day operations, long-term property value, and the property’s reputation.
If you’re a strata manager or a member of a body corporate in this dire predicament, now is the time to take proactive steps. As trusted providers of cost-effective body corporate cleaning services since 1999, we strongly encourage you to keep your property immaculate year-round to create a positive first impression, promote health and hygiene, improve resident satisfaction, preserve long-term property value, and support compliance and risk management.
Key Takeaways
- Body corporate cleaning keeps shared spaces clean, safe, and welcoming, helping maintain property presentation, hygiene, and long-term value for residents and visitors.
- Routine cleaning typically covers common areas such as foyers, hallways, staircases, lifts, shared bathrooms, car parks, bin areas, and outdoor pathways to ensure consistent cleanliness.
- Specialist services can be included as needed, including window cleaning, pressure washing, carpet cleaning, gutter cleaning, graffiti removal, and garden maintenance.
- Cleaning schedules are tailored to each property, with service frequency based on building size, resident traffic, facilities, and maintenance requirements.
- Professional body corporate cleaning protects your investment by improving appearance, supporting health and safety, extending the life of shared assets, and creating a positive experience for occupants.
This blog explains the inclusions of a body corporate cleaning service, enabling you to achieve these objectives, make informed decisions, and receive a high return on your investment.
Body Corporate Cleaning Service Defined
In Australia, a body corporate (strata corporation) is a property that has been legally divided into individual lots (privately owned units) and common property (shared areas) under a strata title system. Each owner owns an individual lot while all owners collectively own and maintain the common areas (building entrances, hallways, lifts, car parks, gyms, swimming pools, recreation areas, etc.) through a body corporate.
Strata buildings commonly include:
- Apartment buildings.
- Unit complexes.
- Townhouse developments.
- Mixed-use buildings.
- Some commercial office buildings.
- Industrial unit complexes.
Body corporate cleaning services are customised programs that clean a strata corporation’s shared areas, including lobbies, gyms, swimming pools, lifts, car parks, entrances, gardens, and BBQs, rather than individual lots. It’s an important distinction because it defines a contractor’s specific cleaning responsibilities within a body corporate.
Key Inclusions of a Body Corporate Cleaning Service
Knowing the inclusions of a body corporate cleaning service enables committee members and strata managers to choose the most qualified cleaners and receive a high return on investment.
The typical common areas for cleaning include:
- Building entrances and lobbies.
- Hallways and corridors.
- Stairwells.
- Lifts and lift foyers.
- Shared kitchens and amenities.
- Laundry rooms.
- Car parks.
- Bin rooms and waste collection areas.
- Mailrooms.
- Outdoor pathways and footpaths.
- Courtyards and communal BBQ areas.
- Swimming pool areas.
- Gyms, fitness centres, and recreation facilities.
On the other hand, the usual body corporate cleaning services include:
- Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping floors.
- Dusting and sanitising high-touchpoint surfaces.
- Cleaning and shining glass doors and windows.
- Emptying bins and implementing efficient waste management strategies.
- Pressure cleaning external hard surfaces.
- Removing cobwebs from discreet and hard-to-reach surfaces.
- Spot cleaning walls and doors.
- Cleaning lifts and stainless steel fixtures.
- Cleaning shared amenities and bathrooms.
- Reporting malfunctioning lights, trip hazards, and other maintenance issues.
Body Corporate Cleaning Frequency
Many reputable body corporate cleaning companies structure their contracts because each common area requires various cleaning frequencies. For instance, they usually clean busy, high-traffic areas, such as entrances, lifts, and lobbies, daily or at least several times a week.
On the other hand, contractors clean stairwells, car parks, and bin areas weekly. They clean windows, pressure wash driveways, perform gutter checks, and deep clean carpets only quarterly or twice annually. Well-maintained strata corporations in Australia collaborate with reputable cleaners and schedule these tasks so nothing gets overlooked, ensuring spotless, safe, and hygienic common areas.
Appearances Are Merely Part of the Bigger Picture
Committee members and strata managers take their cleaning responsibilities seriously. The country’s cleaning sector has accommodated more than 45,000 businesses as of 2025, per industry data from IBISWorld. This number represents a remarkable 5.7% annual increase over the past five years.
These statistics clearly indicate body corporate cleaning services are critical to the day-to-day operations of strata corporations in Australia, transcending mere first impressions and appearance.
Unfortunately, a neglected, dirty body corporate often encourages slack behaviour from its occupants, who usually neglect strewn litter and overflowing rubbish bins. Worse, discreet areas aren’t maintained properly because hardly anyone monitors them regularly.
Whether you’re a committee member or a strata manager, you can prevent these issues from escalating by investing in timely body corporate cleaning services. Trusted, highly experienced cleaners ensure a well-maintained, spotless, safe, and compliant environment, delivering long-term peace of mind and value for money.
What to Ask Before Signing Your Contract
It’s important to note that not all body corporate cleaning contracts include the same services. For this reason, we recommend asking your contractor about the task inclusions, standard services, and extra costs, such as pressure washing and high-level window cleaning. Clarifying cleaning frequency, missed service management, and other issues before signing your contract prevents confusion and ensures clarity from the outset.
If your strata corporation has driveways and pathways, external pressure cleaning is often required. Check with your contractor whether it’s a basic or separate cleaning service. A reputable service provider often provides a written scope of work that includes the manner and frequency of cleaning as well as emergency contacts in case issues arise.
We also recommend implementing a reporting system in which residents can identify and escalate issues, such as overflowing rubbish bins, malfunctioning lights, or lingering odours. This proactive step enables cleaners to work fast and efficiently, facilitating smoother timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the common areas in a strata corporation?
Common areas include lobbies, stairwells, lifts, car parks, yards, fitness centres, bin areas, and swimming pool decks.
How often should I schedule body corporate cleaning services?
We recommend cleaning high-traffic areas, such as entrances, lifts, and lobbies, daily or several times weekly. On the other hand, stairwells and car parks require weekly cleaning, while deep carpet cleaning and pressure washing certain areas are ideally done quarterly or twice annually.
Who should organise body corporate cleaning?
The body corporate committee is responsible for hiring cleaning contractors and managing cleaning contracts for shared properties within a strata corporation.
Is pressure washing driveways and paths a basic body corporate cleaning service?
Pressure washing isn’t always included as part of a standard body corporate cleaning service. Since driveways, pathways, and building exteriors require less frequent cleaning, this service is often quoted and scheduled separately. Always review your contract before signing it to understand whether pressure washing is included as your cleaner’s standard service.
What should I check before signing my contractor’s cleaning contract?
Confirm standard and extra cleaning services, cleaning frequency, missed service management, and other issues unique to your strata corporation before signing your contract.
Conclusion
An immaculate, well-maintained strata corporation creates a safe, hygienic, welcoming, and compliant environment for residents, visitors, and tenants alike. Understanding the inclusions of a body corporate cleaning service and investing in reputable cleaners with an extensive track record protects your property’s value, improves resident satisfaction, and ensures your common areas remain in excellent condition for a long time.
Your spotless strata corporation is just a phone call away. Since 1999, Oz Commercial Cleaning has provided residents on the Gold Coast and nearby areas with cost-effective body corporate cleaning services. Book an appointment today to experience our transformative cleaning solutions.
