Caretaking in my area
Your caretaker works hard on your estate to keep the communal areas clean and maintained to a good standard.
Monday 14 Jun 2010
Your caretaker will:
- Clean the internal areas including the entrance, the lifts, lobbies and stairs.
- Check that the area is free from hazards and spillages
- Sweep the floors, lifts and lobby areas and mop
- Clean the external areas including the refuse chutes, bin stores, common hard surfaces, play areas and entrance doorways
- Check the bin chutes, clear any blockages and remove any bulky items
Once a week your caretaker will:
- Sweep, mop or wipe down the stairways, landings, corridors, ledges, railings, walls and communal glass areas
- Pick up litter from common grounds and pathways
Once a year your caretaker will:
We also:
Pick up litter in grassed areas, wash light shades, wash walls, wash banisters and deep clean all other areas as necessary. Windows which can be reached safely by the caretaker will be cleaned as necessary.
What you can do
We want to help you to make sure that the environment around your home is one that you can be proud of. You can help us to do this by:
- Disposing of daily rubbish in the bins and chutes provided
- Making sure that you do not force large items of rubbish or furniture down the chutes as this will cause a blockage
- Recycling materials where bins are provided
- Making sure you do not dump waste, rubbish or furniture on the estate
- Not smoking anywhere in the communal areas but especially in the internal parts of the block or bin stores or sheds
Estate inspections
We carry out regular inspections of your estate to make sure that standards are being met. You are very welcome to attend and can arrange this by phoning 0800 0322 433 or email caretakergroup@rhp.org.uk to find out when the next inspection is taking place.
Richmond Borough Council environmental services
Many things remain the responsibility of the Council although you live within a property owned by RHP. These include:
- Recycling (Read more about recycling )
- General rubbish collection and disposal
- Pest Control
- Issues relating to the public highway
Getting rid of large items that you no longer want (bulk refuse)
If you have things like fridges, washing machines, sofas or beds that you need to dispose of, please do not leave them out on the estate. We can help you to get rid of these for a small charge. The Council also operates a scheme which you can use by calling 020 8891 1411. If you dump large items on your estate we will charge you for the cost of removal.
Fly-tipping
You can report fly-tipping to us by calling 0800 0322 433 or use the 'Contact us' button above. Anyone who is caught fly-tipping will be prosecuted.
Graffiti
Our Graffiti team will remove all graffiti within four days of it being reported and within 24 hours if it is offensive. To report graffiti contact us on: 0800 0322 433.
Looking after your estate
Our Grounds Maintenance Team makes sure that communal plants, grass and garden areas are maintained in good order, making your environment look great. Work carried out by the team on your estate includes:
|
Service
|
Description
|
How often?
|
When?
|
| Grass Cutting |
We will cut the grass as often as is necessary to make sure that the area looks neat and tidy and all adjacent hard areas and paths are kept free of cuttings. |
Every
12 working days |
March - October |
| Edging / Borders |
We will cut soft edges where grass meets flower beds or soil. |
Every six weeks |
March - October |
| Hard Edging |
We will cut hard edges where grass meets flat solid edges of concrete e.g. path, manhole cover. |
Once a year |
January - February |
| Hedge Cutting |
We will cut all communal hedges to their existing shape to keep uniform and neat and tidy, suitable to their species. We will ensure that hedges do not prevent a hazard or obstruction to pedestrians or vehicle access. |
Between 1 to 3 times per year depending on hedge species |
May -November
|
Shrub
Pruning/
Flower Bed Maintenance |
We will maintain shrubs and flower beds to keep their balance and shape so they do not create danger to the public. |
Every six weeks |
March - October |
| Bark Mulch |
We will mulch all shrub beds. The mulch will not create a danger to the public. |
Once a year |
February - March |
| Leaf Clearance |
We will clear leaf litter and debris from all grass and hard areas including car parks, playgrounds etc. |
Twice a month |
November - January |
| Weed Control |
We will keep hard standing areas weed-free including building edges, kerb lines, paths, playgrounds, drying areas etc. Also flower beds will never contain weeds over 75mm in height or more that 5% of the bed. |
Twice a year |
March and September |
Tree
Maintenance |
We have developed a Tree Maintenance programme to protect our trees, buildings and people that occupy the areas around them. |
To discuss tree maintenance in your area, please contact the Grounds Maintenance Team (details overleaf) |
*Weather permitting plus mulching as and when required
The grounds around your home are something to be proud of. You can help us to keep them in great condition by making sure that the area around your home is clear for the grounds maintenance contractor. This includes removing any
rubbish,
dog faeces,
animals and
toys.