Strata Maintenance Guide: Checklists, Schedule & Practices
A strata maintenance guide outlines the required cleaning routines, repair responsibilities, and inspection schedules that owners' corporations must follow to maintain shared spaces in strata-titled buildings. In Sydney and across NSW, these responsibilities are legally defined and enforced under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.
This guide focuses on how to clean and maintain strata common areas—including lobbies, stairwells, outdoor spaces, and waste rooms—through structured checklists. Whether managing a residential tower, townhouse complex, or mixed-use property, consistent strata cleaning ensures hygiene, compliance, and reduced long-term costs.
What are Strata Maintenance Responsibilities in NSW
Strata buildings have unique structures of accountability. The owners' corporation (or body corporate) holds legal responsibility for maintaining common property, while strata managers coordinate contractors and service providers.
Before reviewing the cleaning checklist, it’s important to understand how these roles work together to manage the upkeep of shared assets.
Who Is Responsible for Strata Cleaning and Repairs?
In NSW, the owners corporation must maintain all common property—including structural elements, shared amenities, and hygiene services. The strata manager assists in scheduling maintenance, communicating with cleaning companies, and maintaining compliance records. However, responsibility always resides with the owners' corporation, even when tasks are outsourced.
Strata Maintenance Checklist for Cleaning and Upkeep
This checklist is designed for professional cleaning contractors, strata committees, and building managers—especially those working with regular strata cleaning services.
Entryways and Lobbies
As the most visible areas of any strata building, lobbies and entrances require daily care to uphold first impressions and safety standards.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs daily
- Mop tiled floors with neutral pH cleaners
- Wipe glass doors and windows weekly
- Clean intercoms, mailboxes, and door handles
- Dust baseboards and air vents regularly
Hallways and Stairwells
To ensure safety and cleanliness in traffic areas, maintain the following:
- Vacuum or mop walkways
- Disinfect handrails, light switches, and door handles
- Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners
- Check for tripping hazards like loose tiles or rugs
- Replace burnt-out lighting fixtures promptly
Elevators and Lift Areas
Elevators are high-use areas and demand frequent attention.
- Clean stainless steel surfaces with appropriate polish
- Wipe lift buttons and control panels with disinfectant
- Inspect floor cleanliness after high-traffic periods
- Ensure compliance signage is visible and intact
- Schedule technical servicing per manufacturer requirements
Waste Management and Bin Rooms
Proper bin room hygiene prevents pest infestations and odours.
- Empty bins and remove bulky waste on collection days
- Clean floors and disinfect all touchpoints weekly
- Maintain signage for correct waste sorting
- Monitor and control pest activity through scheduled treatments
Outdoor Spaces and Car Parks
Outdoor areas require seasonal and structural maintenance.
- Pick up litter and sweep driveways regularly
- Prune gardens and hedges monthly
- Pressure clean hard surfaces every quarter
- Ensure car park line markings are visible
- Check that exterior lighting and signage function correctly
Roofs and Structural Exteriors
Although often overlooked, roofs and external walls require scheduled inspection and cleaning.
- Remove debris from gutters before the heavy rain season
- Check for cracks, water damage, and paint deterioration
- Clear roof valleys and check flashing
- Engage licensed contractors for any external wall or facade repairs
Routine Cleaning Schedule for Strata Buildings
To ensure consistency across cleaning operations, strata properties should adopt a recurring schedule that separates daily, weekly, and periodic tasks.
Daily and Weekly Cleaning
These tasks keep shared environments clean, safe, and welcoming.
- Disinfect door handles, lift buttons, and intercom panels
- Mop and vacuum all high-traffic flooring
- Restock consumables in shared bathrooms (if applicable)
- Empty rubbish bins and secure waste storage areas
These daily practices can be strengthened further with targeted
cleaning tips during flu season to protect resident health during high-risk periods.
Monthly and Quarterly Deep Cleaning
Deeper cleaning is essential to preserve surfaces and ensure hygiene in areas not serviced daily.
- Steam clean carpets and rugs
- Pressure wash outdoor tiles, bins, and car park areas
- Deep scrub bin rooms and common washrooms
- Clean vents, ceiling fans, and high ledges
- Treat stains and restore grout or hard surfaces
Legal Compliance for Strata Cleaning and Maintenance
Under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW), owners corporations must maintain the common property in a state of good and serviceable repair. Cleaning schedules, fire safety checks, and regular inspections form part of this compliance.
Key legal obligations include:
- Maintaining a 10-year capital works plan
- Recording all maintenance and repair activity
- Complying with WHS laws for contractors
- Conducting regular fire safety inspections
- Responding promptly to tenant-reported defects
Failure to meet these standards may result in penalties, tenant disputes, or building insurance complications.
Best Practices for Managing Cleaning Contractors in Strata Settings
To maintain a high standard of cleanliness, strata managers and owners' corporations should:
- Use a written scope of work for all cleaning contracts
- Schedule regular performance reviews and site audits
- Include KPIs for hygiene, punctuality, and responsiveness
- Use digital systems to log complaints or recurring issues
- Ensure contractors use eco-friendly and approved cleaning agents
FAQs About Strata Maintenance in Australia
Before finalising your building’s cleaning plan, consider the most common questions posed by residents, managers, and committee members.
What areas are considered common property in a strata complex?
In strata schemes, common property includes all areas outside of private lots. This generally covers lobbies, stairwells, elevators, gardens, driveways, bin rooms, car parks, and external building elements. These areas must be maintained by the owners' corporation and cleaned according to agreed schedules. If a dispute arises, refer to the registered strata plan for clarification on property boundaries.
How often should professional strata cleaning occur?
Cleaning frequency depends on building type, usage, and number of occupants. High-rise strata complexes in urban settings may require daily cleaning, while low-density properties might be serviced weekly or fortnightly. Regardless of frequency, all buildings should include monthly deep cleaning tasks and quarterly maintenance inspections for consistent presentation and hygiene.
Who pays for strata maintenance and cleaning?
Strata maintenance and cleaning expenses are paid through levies collected from all lot owners. These levies fund the administrative fund (for routine services) and the capital works fund (for major repairs). Owners' corporations set budgets at annual general meetings and distribute costs based on unit entitlements. Cleaning contracts are usually a key component of the administrative fund.
Can a building self-manage strata maintenance without a strata manager?
Yes, strata schemes can self-manage. However, the owners' corporation must still fulfil all legal obligations, including scheduling regular cleaning, engaging licensed contractors, and maintaining compliance records. Self-managed buildings often struggle to maintain standards due to a lack of time or expertise. Hiring a strata manager ensures smoother coordination and cleaner results.
Keep Strata Properties Spotless and Legally Compliant
Strata buildings are shared environments, and their presentation reflects the care of the entire community. By implementing a clear, practical strata maintenance guide, building managers and owners' corporations can ensure consistent hygiene, asset preservation, and legal compliance.
For professional strata cleaning services in Sydney, Everyday Clean offers tailored solutions to keep complexes spotless—day in, day out.
Author: Everyday Clean Content Team
Everyday Clean is Sydney’s trusted provider of commercial cleaning solutions, including pools, gyms, offices, and strata properties. Our licensed professionals use advanced, eco-friendly equipment to deliver safe, compliant, and spotless results. With deep experience across Sydney’s hospitality, fitness, and residential sectors, we help facilities maintain inviting, healthy environments that guests trust.
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