Recurring strata maintenance isn’t just a necessity; it’s a game-changer. It enhances property value, resident safety, and community harmony across Australia.
With a good maintenance scheduling system in place, you can stop reacting to problems and start proactively managing your property’s upkeep!
Consider this guide as your recurring strata maintenance checklist. We will dive into 10 essential strata maintenance jobs, offering actionable insights on how to stay ahead of the game.
We’ll break down each task, explore best practices, and share strategies that ensure you stay on top of property maintenance for your strata buildings. This will keep your property in great shape, boosting its appeal and longevity.
Why Proactive Strata Maintenance is Non-Negotiable
In strata living, maintenance isn’t just about reacting when things go wrong. It’s about being proactive, taking care of potential issues before they escalate.
By creating a recurring strata maintenance schedule, you are essentially taking a proactive approach to safeguard the long-term health of the property and protect your finances.
Unlike reactive maintenance, which often comes with the stress of emergency repairs and unexpected costs, proactive maintenance is a planned, regular commitment that tackles issues before they become costly disasters.
The benefits of staying ahead? They’re substantial:
- Boosts Property Value: Clean, well-maintained common areas enhance both the market value and the overall appeal of individual units. Regular upkeep prevents decay and avoids costly structural repairs.
- Ensures Safety & Legal Compliance: Regular maintenance keeps all shared spaces and systems, like fire safety equipment and electrical wiring, up to code, reducing risk and ensuring the safety of residents.
- Saves Money: Catching minor issues early means fewer expensive repairs down the road. Regular maintenance also allows for more accurate budgeting and negotiating with contractors, offering long-term savings.
- Fosters Community Pride: Well-maintained environments promote happiness, reduce conflicts, and create a sense of shared responsibility among residents.
- Extends Asset Lifespan: Timely repairs and care lengthen the life of major property assets, such as plumbing, roofing, and lifts, delaying the need for costly replacements.
In Australia, laws like the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 in NSW mandate that Owners Corporations maintain common areas in good condition. So, proactively handling your recurring maintenance schedule isn’t just wise, it’s a legal and financial requirement.
10 Key Recurring Strata Maintenance Tasks and How to Keep Them in Check
Here are 10 essential areas that need regular love and care to keep them running smoothly:
1. Common Area Cleaning
Think hallways, stairwells, lifts, lobbies, shared entries, laundries, sparkling windows in busy areas, and clean bins.
Neat common areas create a welcoming vibe, keep germs at bay, and stop dirt from building up or attracting pests. A tidy space also lifts residents’ moods and boosts property value.
How to stay on top of it:
- Structured Schedule: Partner with a pro cleaning crew to set daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly tasks tailored to your building.
- Routine Inspections: Strata managers should walk through regularly to make sure standards stay high.
- Engage Residents: Get residents to report spills and messes, and keep reminders up with friendly signage.
Suggested Frequency:
- Daily to Weekly: General cleaning of lobbies, hallways, bins, and high-traffic areas.
- Monthly: Deep cleans, window washing in common areas.
- Quarterly: Carpet steam cleaning, polish hard floors.
2. Landscaping and Garden Care
This covers mowing, pruning, weeding, tidying outdoor spaces and paths, checking irrigation, and keeping gardens neat.
Beautiful gardens make the property pop, improve air quality, and give everyone a lovely spot to unwind. Left unchecked, gardens can quickly turn wild, attract pests, and even create hazards.
How to stay on top of it:
- Experienced Landscapers: Hire qualified landscapers who know strata needs inside out.
- Seasonal Care: Have a year-round plan that shifts with the seasons.
- Water-Saving: Use drought-tough plants and smart irrigation, especially handy in Australia’s dry spells.
Suggested Frequency:
- Weekly to Fortnightly: Mowing, light pruning, weeding.
- Monthly: Fertilising, garden bed maintenance.
- Seasonally: Major pruning, irrigation checks, planting.
3. Exterior and Façade Maintenance
This means cleaning and checking outside walls, windows, balconies, paint, plus lights and signs.
The façade shields your property from the weather and keeps it looking sharp.
How to stay on top of it:
- Frequent Inspections: Look out for cracks, peeling paint, or water stains; drones are great for tall buildings.
- Scheduled Repainting: Plan repainting that suits the climate and building materials.
- Specialised Cleaning: Bring in pros for multi-storey cleans.
Suggested Frequency:
- Quarterly: Visual inspections for damage, water stains, paint issues.
- Annually: Professional cleaning of façades, check external fixtures.
- Every 5–7 years: Repainting (depending on exposure and material).
4. Roof Maintenance
This involves inspecting the roof, gutters, downpipes, and flashing, plus clearing gutters and fixing leaks.
Your roof is your first line of defence against the elements. Neglect can mean leaks, mould, and hefty repair bills.
How to stay on top of it:
- Annual Inspections: Have a professional roofer give it a yearly once-over.
- Regular Gutter Cleaning: Do this before and after storm seasons to dodge blockages.
- Fix Leaks Fast: Don’t let little leaks turn into big problems.
Suggested Frequency:
- Twice Annually: Gutter and downpipe cleaning (before and after storm season).
- Annually: Full roof inspection by a professional.
- As needed: Immediate leak checks after heavy storms.
5. Plumbing & Drainage Maintenance
This covers shared pipes, drains, stormwater systems, and hot water setups.
Healthy plumbing keeps things hygienic and prevents costly water damage.
How to stay on top of it:
- Routine Inspections: Look for leaks, damp patches, or musty smells.
- Clear Drains: Make sure storm drains are debris-free, especially after heavy rain.
- Resident Awareness: Remind everyone to dispose of waste properly and report issues quickly.
Suggested Frequency:
- Quarterly: Check visible pipes, stormwater drains, and water heaters.
- Annually: Comprehensive plumbing system inspection.
- After Major Rains: Check stormwater and drainage performance.
6. Electrical Systems Maintenance
Think common lights, power points, switchboards, intercoms, security, and emergency lighting.
Safe, working electrical systems keep everyone secure and happy.
How to stay on top of it:
- Certified Electricians: Use licensed experts for checks and repairs, ensuring Australian standards are met.
- Energy Efficiency: Try energy audits and switch to efficient lighting and appliances.
- Quick Response: Jump on flickering lights or outages immediately.
Suggested Frequency:
- Quarterly: Test emergency lighting and common area lighting.
- Annually: Full switchboard, intercom, and security system checks.
- Every 3–5 years: Energy audits to improve efficiency.
7. Pest Control
This means preventing and treating issues with rodents, ants, cockroaches, termites, and more. Pests can harm buildings, spread disease, and ruin the living experience.
How to stay on top of it:
- Regular Treatments: Set up routine checks with a trusted pest control service.
- Integrated Pest Management: Stop problems before they start. Seal cracks and keep things clean.
- Resident Cooperation: Ask residents to report any sightings straight away.
Suggested Frequency:
- Quarterly: Preventative treatments and inspections.
- As needed: Immediate treatment if residents report activity.
- Annually: Termite inspections (especially in timber-heavy properties).
8. Fire Safety Systems
This involves checking alarms, extinguishers, sprinklers, and emergency lighting.
Fire safety systems save lives, and meeting regulations isn’t optional; it’s essential.
How to stay on top of it:
- Certified Technicians: Engage accredited experts to maintain and test equipment.
- Maintain Records: Keep clear records of inspections for compliance.
- Resident Education: Teach residents fire procedures and why not to tamper with safety gear.
Suggested Frequency:
- Monthly: Visual checks of extinguishers, emergency exits are clear.
- Six-Monthly: Professional testing of alarms, extinguishers, sprinklers.
- Annually: Full compliance audit and record updates.
9. Swimming Pool Area Maintenance
This means cleaning, water tests, maintaining equipment, and meeting health rules.
Pools boost lifestyle appeal, but only if they’re clean and safe.
How to stay on top of it:
- Daily Checks: Keep water balanced and surfaces clean.
- Health Compliance: Follow all local health rules and safety standards.
- Equipment Care: Look after pumps and filters to make them last.
Suggested Frequency:
- Daily: Water quality checks, debris removal.
- Weekly: Equipment checks (pumps, filters).
- Monthly: Compliance and safety barrier inspections.
10. Lift and Elevator Maintenance
This covers routine servicing, safety checks, and urgent repairs. Lifts are vital in multi-storey buildings. When they work well, everyone’s happy and safe.
How to stay on top of it:
- Specialised Contracts: Lock in a deal with certified lift maintenance pros.
- Safety Inspections: Make sure certifications are always up to date.
- Report Issues: Encourage residents to flag any problems immediately.
Suggested Frequency
- Monthly: Routine servicing by a certified lift technician.
- Annually: Safety certification updates.
- As needed: Immediate call-outs for faults or resident reports.
Building a Proactive Strata Maintenance Plan
A proactive, future, and recurring maintenance plan is a must for the long-term health of a strata property. Here’s how to develop one:
Conduct a Full Condition Assessment: Get a professional assessment of the current state of common areas and identify potential issues.
Prioritise Tasks: Focus on safety, urgent repairs, cost-effectiveness, and minimising disruption.
Create a Detailed Recurring Maintenance Schedule: Set out daily, monthly, and yearly tasks for upkeep.
Develop a Financial Plan: Ensure enough funds are set aside for major repairs through a sinking fund forecast.
Hire Qualified Contractors: Choose experienced, licensed professionals for maintenance tasks.
Communicate Effectively: Keep residents informed of planned work and progress.
How Technology Boosts Preventive Strata Maintenance
Embracing technology is a game-changer for strata maintenance. With the right tools, you can streamline tasks, prevent issues before they escalate, and keep communication flowing smoothly. Here’s how tech can make your job easier:
Strata Management Software
Strata management software centralises everything, recurring maintenance requests, contractor management, and communication, into one platform. You can assign tasks, track progress, and even receive updates in real-time. No more scattered emails or forgotten to-dos!
Digital Inspection Tools
Forget the clipboard! With digital inspection apps, you can conduct inspections, take photos, and log data on the go. These tools automatically generate reports and help you stay on top of scheduled tasks, making inspections faster and more accurate.
IoT Sensors and Predictive Maintenance
IoT sensors monitor your property in real-time, detecting issues like water leaks or HVAC malfunctions before they cause damage. With instant alerts, you can act fast and avoid costly repairs.
Communication Platforms
Online portals and messaging apps make it easy for residents to report issues and get updates. This streamlines communication, keeping everyone in the loop and ensuring quick responses to maintenance concerns.
Leveraging technology makes strata maintenance more efficient, saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring your property is always in top shape.
Over to You
Maintaining a strata property isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about creating a safe, comfortable, and attractive environment for everyone who lives there.
If you’re ready to make your strata maintenance easier, quicker, and more organised, it might be time to check out i4T Maintenance Management Software.
With set-and-forget templates, easy scheduling, one-click dispatch when they are due, and real-time work order tracking, all in one place, this tool is like your maintenance superpower. It’ll help keep everything on track and take the stress out of managing your property.
FAQs
It keeps your property safe, boosts its value, and avoids costly repairs. Plus, it helps create a pleasant living environment for everyone.
High-traffic areas should be cleaned at least twice a week. Quieter spots can be cleaned weekly.
Neglecting fire safety can result in penalties and, more importantly, compromise resident safety.
Use tools like i4T Maintenance Management Software to schedule and track all your recurring maintenance work orders easily.
Yes! A well-kept garden adds curb appeal and helps maintain or increase property value.
