Strata Cleaning Checklist for Sydney Apartment Buildings

Why a strata checklist matters

Strata cleaning is one of the most visible services an owners corporation pays for, and one of the most frequently complained-about when it slips. A documented checklist — agreed with the strata manager and committee — turns the service into something auditable rather than something residents have an opinion about.

Lobby and foyer

The lobby is the first impression of the building for every resident, visitor and prospective buyer. Every visit:

• Vacuum lobby carpet and rugs
• Sweep and mop hard floors
• Wipe reception desk and concierge zone
• Spot-clean glass entry doors
• Polish brass and stainless steel fittings
• Empty foyer bins
• Dust accessible furniture and ledges
• Replace floral arrangements (if part of scope)

Lifts

Lifts are the most touched space in the building. Every visit:

• Vacuum or mop lift floor
• Wipe walls, mirrors and ceiling vents
• Disinfect button panels (internal and external on every floor)
• Wipe handrails
• Spot-clean any marks or scuffs

Common corridors and stairwells

Corridors and stairs see daily foot traffic. Schedule:

• Vacuum or sweep corridor floors (weekly minimum)
• Spot-clean walls and skirting
• Wipe handrails (weekly minimum)
• Clean fire-stair landings and edges
• Dust light fittings and exit signs (monthly)

Bin rooms

Bin rooms are the source of most resident complaints. Every visit (or after every collection):

• Wash down bin room floor with disinfectant
• Rotate bins back to position
• Deodorise the room
• Wipe bin handles and lids
• Spot-clean walls of any spills
• Remove any loose rubbish from the floor

Mailrooms and parcel rooms

With the rise of parcel deliveries, parcel rooms need real attention:

• Sweep and mop floor weekly
• Wipe parcel shelving and pigeonholes
• Empty bin
• Tidy stray parcels per building procedure

Carparks

Carparks are usually scheduled less frequently than the building interior:

• Sweep main drive paths and ramps (monthly minimum)
• Spot-mop oil marks and spills
• Cobweb and dust corners and ceiling fixtures (quarterly)
• Pressure-wash entry ramp (periodic)

External entryways

The external entryway sets the building's street presence:

• Sweep entry steps and approach (weekly minimum)
• Wipe glass entry doors externally
• Remove cobwebs from canopy and ceiling
• Clean intercom panel and number plate
• Spot-clean external signage

Frequency by building size

Small low-rise (under 20 units): twice-weekly visits usually cover the scope. Mid-rise (20–60 units): three to five visits per week. Large high-rise (60+ units): daily, with bin rooms attended after every collection. Mixed-use buildings with retail at ground floor need daily lobby and ground-floor servicing regardless of unit count.

Reporting and committee oversight

Every strata cleaning contract should produce a record — even a simple visit sign-off sheet works. Better still, a digital log accessible to the strata manager and committee. Quarterly walks between the building manager, strata manager and cleaning supervisor close the loop.