Prevention is better than cure when it comes to maintaining your strata property. In the lead up to spring, it’s the perfect time to take stock and refresh your strata property.
Wintertime usually means heavy use of air-conditioning systems and heaters, gardens lay dormant, common areas such as pools and outdoor recreation areas are much less utilised. It is important for strata buildings to put maintenance back on the agenda to reduce the risk of long term or major damage caused by lack of maintenance.
Now is a good time for Strata committees to put their maintenance plan back into action and dust off the cobwebs of winter. Combining a thorough spring clean with a proactive approach to identifying and rectifying defects can enhance the cleanliness, functionality, and overall value of your property as well as decrease the risk of major damage down the track.
Plan an inspection to identify any signs of defects.
An annual inspection can help keep a building from deteriorating. Early identification and remediation of even the smallest defects can help reduce the risk of major problems down the track.
Things to look out for include:
- Efflorescence, peeling paint, and minor settlement cracking.
- Cladding, ensure compliant cladding has been used, if non-compliant cladding such as aluminium composite panels or ACP and EPS, this should be scheduled to be rectified.
- Waterproofing issues, such as leakage from roofs, mould, blistering paint, rising damp, and cracked walls.
- Plumbing and drainage issues, such as blocked drains, leaking pipes, and sewage backups
- Electrical issues, such as faulty wiring, damage to wiring or old wiring.
Delegate Annual Maintenance Tasks
To ensure an efficient and comprehensive spring clean, identify the specific areas that require attention, such as common areas, hallways, parking lots, and recreational facilities. Divide these tasks and allocate to the appropriate trades person or maintenance manager. Depending on the size of your strata complex, you could schedule some of these tasks (like gardening and cleaning), between the residents, but make sure a professional manages the bigger jobs including clearing cutters, or any other dangerous tasks which may involve heights, wiring, plumbing etc.
Focus on Common Areas
Common areas serve as the face of your strata apartment complex, leaving a lasting impression on residents and visitors alike. Paying special attention to these spaces will keep the complex looking its best. Some of the cleaning jobs that are required annually in your individual apartment may also be more cost effective if you pool the resources together, such as window cleaning and servicing appliances such as air conditioning.
Clearing the clutter
Organising a council clean-up for the entire apartment block may be a good way to clear storage areas, and ensure the complex is less likely to have unwanted furniture dumped outside.
Garden Maintenance
Every apartment complex is different and not all have an allocated gardening budget. It is important not to neglect the outdoor areas of your strata apartment complex during your spring clean. Arrange for the removal of any accumulated debris, fallen leaves, or branches from the grounds. Trim overgrown vegetation and bushes and clear gutters. If applicable, clean and inspect any shared outdoor amenities, such as barbeque areas, swimming pools, or playgrounds, to ensure they are safe and ready for use.
Waste Management
Consider implementing a more efficient and environmentally friendly waste management system. Waste management has come a long way in the last few years with better more efficient ways to reuse, recycle, compost, and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable living environment.
By being proactive and informed with your maintenance and defects management in your strata property, you can create a more sustainable, welcoming environment for residents while maintaining a safe and structurally sound complex.
This article was supplied by CHU Underwriting Agencies
