Our main duties include:

  • Regularly inspecting estates and communal areas (e.g. gardens, play areas)
  • Grounds maintenance (including grass cutting, weeding, pruning and tree work)
  • Cleaning (including floors, windows, stairs, car parks and paths)
  • Litter picking
  • Undertaking small estate improvements
  • Reporting communal repairs found on our inspections.

The services are the same regardless of where you live but how we deliver them can vary from region to region.

You can let us know about any issues in your neighbourhood by reporting them to us.

Report an issue

What should you expect?

Regular inspections are carried out on your estates.

We have quality standards that we check on every inspection.

This includes:

Areas with grass will be cut regularly. All cuttings will be swept from hard surfaces after.

Southern Housing are working hard to improve the biodiversity of our communal grass areas, some of which receive limited or no cutting in an effort to rewild these spaces. These include large areas of open space, steep banks and where we have verges

Read more about biodiversity and green spaces

We’ll maintain flower beds and we’ll renew plants and bedding when needed.

We ensure that hedges are well maintained, preventing overgrowth or obstruction. Our approach takes into account seasonal factors, including bird- nesting periods, and specific species requirements. We carry out maintenance at the most appropriate times for both the environment and the health of the plants.

Roads, paths, alleyways, courtyards, car parks, and washing line areas will be kept free from leaves, litter, and overgrown weeds through sweeping or mechanical removal. Both methods will be used to ensure these areas are maintained effectively. 

We know weeds tend to grow in these areas at certain times of the year, during the summer and the autumn, and we'll do all we can to ensure this is managed. 

Please note that tree maintenance will be performed seasonally and as required to ensure the health of the trees and the well-being of each species.

Overgrown tree shoots and saplings will be cut back as required, and any tree branches hanging under two meters will be removed.

Trees that naturally produce sap or detritus will not be cut or removed due to this occurrence.

Tree cutting will only take place if there is a health and safety concern, or a risk of damage to the building or surrounding property.

We will prioritise the health of the trees and ensure that any maintenance supports the long-term vitality of the species and the amenity space.

We'll keep external bin areas free from over-spilled rubbish.

This includes litter bins and dog bins in communal areas.

We'll clean the glass on internal and external doors.

We'll sweep entrance steps and make sure they are mopped.

The entrance lobby will be kept free from junk mail and newspapers.

All concrete, vinyl and carpeted floors, staircases and balconies will be cleaned.

This includes communal mats and mat wells.

Fixtures and fittings such as handrails, banister rails, ledges, furniture and switches will be cleaned and dusted.

Light diffusers, shades and covers will be cleaned and dusted.

Walls and eaves will be cleaned and dusted.

We will always look to remove graffiti and scuff marks where possible.

All internal glass on communal windows will be cleaned.

Frames, sills and ledges will be cleaned and dusted.

All floors, doors, mirrors, panels and frames in lifts will be swept, mopped and kept clean and free from dirt and dust.

If you notice a problem with a lift in your building please contact us.

Read more about lifts

We quickly act on anything we pick up during these inspections. We take our findings to our contractors on a monthly basis. We ask them to address issues of concern and look for ways to improve the service.

Need to report something to us?

You can let us know about any issues in your neighbourhood by reporting them to us.

Get in touch