Block and communal residential cleaning keeps the shared parts of apartment blocks and estates presentable: stairwells, entrance lobbies, lifts, corridors, bin stores and car parks, on a regular scheduled visit. It is bought by managing agents, RMCs and freeholders and scrutinised by leaseholders through the service charge. OptusGlean delivers a reliable, documented communal clean on one fixed monthly price.
What does communal cleaning for a residential block cover?
Our communal area cleaning covers the parts no single flat owns: entrance lobbies and door glass, stairwells and landings, internal corridors, lift cars and tracks, bin and refuse stores, and external areas such as car parks, pathways and communal window cleaning. Frequency is set to the block - from weekly for a busy development to fortnightly or monthly for a small block.
Why is communal presentation and fire safety so important?
Communal areas are the first thing residents and prospective buyers see, and a shabby lobby affects both wellbeing and property value. Just as important, corridors and stairwells are escape routes: keeping them clean and free of stored items and refuse supports fire-safety compliance, a duty landlords and managing agents take seriously post-Grenfell.
Who buys block cleaning - agents, RMCs and freeholders
Block cleaning is typically procured by managing agents, Residents’ Management Companies or freeholders, and paid for by leaseholders through the service charge - so it is scrutinised. We work to a clear specification and provide documented, auditable visits, giving agents evidence of value when leaseholders question the charge. Where a contract changes hands, TUPE 2006 typically applies and we manage the transfer.
Reliable, vetted cleaners in residents' buildings
Operatives work in buildings where people live, often keyholding for access. Every OptusGlean operative is directly employed on PAYE and vetted before their first shift. We DBS-check operatives in England and Wales, and apply the equivalent PVG (Disclosure Scotland) and AccessNI checks in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Where a site involves regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, an Enhanced DBS (currently £49.50, gov.uk) is used. We never sub-contract to unvetted labour. We provide consistent, named team members and reliable scheduled visits, because in residential blocks a missed visit generates immediate complaints.
Fixed monthly pricing per block or portfolio
OptusGlean prices every contract as a single fixed monthly fee paid by Direct Debit - never an hourly rate that drifts. The fee is built from the specification agreed at your free site survey, and it already accounts for the wage floor (National Living Wage £12.71/hr from April 2026, or the real Living Wage of £13.45 UK / £14.80 London where a contract requires it), employer’s NI, holiday pay, supervision, consumables, insurance and management. VAT is added at the standard 20%. Managing agents with a portfolio of blocks get one nationwide agreement covering every development, standardising quality and reporting across the estate.