Join our next Scrutiny
We run Scrutiny Panels twice a year - so why not join us for our next deep dive? Let us know that you'd like to get involved and we'll contact you for our next one.
Scrutiny - our Communal Cleaning service
Our Spring 2025 Scrutiny saw our panel taking a deep dive into our Communal Cleaning service, and making recommendations on how we can improve.
Communal Cleaning - your recommendations
In Spring 2025, seven tenants and one shared owner reviewed our Communal Cleaning service.
The Scrutiny Panel made eight recommendations which we will be working on over the coming months.
The Panel suggested that a move to in-house cleaning could be the best approach to improving cleaning standards and accountability. Our Estates Manager agreed, and this move to inhouse is now in progress.
The Panel agreed that an infographic should be created about the responsibilities of the Trust and the responsibilities of tenants regarding communal cleaning;
- To be reviewed on an annual basis but updated on an ad-hoc basis as and when necessary.
- To be sent to all residents with a communal area in line with their preferences.
- To be shown on communal noticeboards.
- To be included during sign-up where relevant.
The Panel suggested that a webpage should be created for more information about Communal Cleaning.
We will work closely with our Customer Voice & Communications Team to create this page under our Trust Tenant Charter.
Members suggested that fixed geographical locations/patches could be established for in-house cleaners.
We will implement this once the move to an inhouse service has been completed.
The Panel also recommended
- More communications around belongings being stored in communal areas, including the health & safety risks of this.
- Introducing random spot checks at sites with communal cleaning services.
- The Neighbourhoods Team to complete quarterly checks on communal cleaning standards on their relevant patches and during attendance at coffee mornings in over 55s accomodation.
- Surveying customers who’ve responded previously to our communal cleaning surveys – using responses to measure changes in satisfaction and feedback. The Panel said that this should be done 6 months after the in-house service is introduced.