In apartment management, regular cleaning is an important responsibility that directly affects higher occupancy rates and lower move-out rates. However, if you own multiple properties or manage apartments as a side business, handling everything yourself can be difficult. This article explains in detail the scope of regular apartment cleaning, typical cost ranges, and key points for choosing a contractor.
What are the benefits of cleaning an apartment’s common areas?
Keeping common areas clean is directly tied to successful apartment management. The four main benefits are as follows.
Avoiding vacancy risk
Properties with clean common areas tend to achieve higher tenant satisfaction and lower move-out rates. This helps prevent move-outs caused by dissatisfaction with the property and reduce vacancy risk. On the other hand, a property that is not properly cleaned may become a reason for tenants to leave.
Preventing building deterioration and controlling repair costs
Frequent cleaning prevents dirt from building up and slows the pace of deterioration. If worn or damaged areas are discovered early during cleaning, there is also the benefit of keeping repair costs to a minimum. By carrying out special cleaning such as drainpipe cleaning and high-elevation cleaning on a regular basis, you can preserve the building’s asset value over the long term.
Improving conversion rates during viewings
If common areas are clean during viewings, prospective tenants receive a positive impression, which leads to higher conversion rates. For properties that collect management fees, this also helps foster trust that the property is being managed properly.
Maintaining tenant standards and preserving security
A clean environment strengthens tenants’ awareness that they should not make the property dirty, contributing to better overall security throughout the property. Maintaining a well-kept living environment also helps reduce disputes among tenants.
What is regular apartment cleaning, and how is it different from routine cleaning?
Regular apartment cleaning refers to professional cleaning work for areas that are difficult to address through routine cleaning alone.
Scope of regular cleaning
Inside the building, this includes wiping and sweeping the entrance, hallways, elevators, and staircases, as well as removing cobwebs. In exterior areas, it includes cleaning around the building, bicycle parking areas, garbage disposal areas, and parking lots, along with watering and weeding landscaped spaces. In addition, replacing light bulbs and maintaining damaged areas are also part of regular cleaning duties.
Guideline for frequency
As a basic guideline, regular cleaning should be carried out once a month. In addition, large-scale cleaning about once every six months is also necessary, such as high-pressure washing of exterior walls and inspection and cleaning of drainpipes.
How it differs from routine cleaning
| Item | Routine cleaning | Regular cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Once to several times a week | Once a month + once every six months (large-scale) |
| Scope | Sweeping common areas and picking up litter | High-pressure washing, glass cleaning, floor washing, etc. |
| Handled by | Management company, owner, or cleaning contractor | Specialized cleaning contractor |
Estimated regular cleaning costs
- High-pressure washing for exterior walls: from JPY 40,000
- Glass cleaning: from JPY 15,000
- Commercial air-conditioner cleaning: from JPY 32,000
- Floor washing and wax application: from JPY 25,000
In some cases, discounts may apply when you request multiple services together.
What other apartment building management tasks are included besides regular cleaning?
Regular cleaning is only one part of apartment building management. It is also important to understand the other major responsibilities.
Equipment maintenance and inspections
This includes regular inspections of electrical, gas, water supply, drainage, fire safety, and security equipment. For equipment subject to legally required inspections, it is necessary to engage a specialized contractor.
Repairs to the building and exterior areas
If routine inspections reveal exterior wall damage, peeling paint, or similar issues, repairs should be made promptly to preserve asset value.
Cleaning and repairs for vacant units
When a tenant moves out, the interior should be cleaned and repaired, and the room’s condition should be maintained until the next tenant is secured. Poor management conditions can lead to prolonged vacancies.
Preparing a long-term repair plan
It is important to build repair reserves systematically in preparation for large-scale repairs such as repainting exterior walls and replacing equipment.
What specific tasks are performed in regular apartment cleaning?
Here are the main tasks carried out during regular cleaning.
Floor cleaning
There are two methods: removing dirt with water pressure using high-pressure washing, and scrubbing with brushes using specialized equipment. The method is selected according to the level of dirt.
Carpet cleaning
After vacuuming out dirt from deep within the fibers, specialized cleaning equipment is used to lift and remove remaining dirt.
Roof and eaves cleaning
Dirt and moss are removed with brushes to maintain the property’s appearance while also allowing early detection of changes to the exterior walls.
Glass cleaning
Large glass windows, especially at the entrance, strongly influence an apartment’s first impression. They are finished using specialized shampoo and a squeegee.
High-pressure washing of exterior walls
If dirt is left unattended, it can affect not only appearance but also internal deterioration, so regular high-pressure washing is essential for maintaining the building’s durability.
What are the key points for choosing a reliable regular cleaning contractor?
Choosing a good cleaning contractor is directly linked to successful apartment management. Be sure to check the following points.
Confirm their track record in regular cleaning
Choose a contractor with extensive apartment-cleaning experience and a strong commitment to talent development. Because cleaning staff often interact with tenants face to face, it is also important that they can work carefully and greet people properly.
Understand market rates by obtaining multiple quotes
Request estimates from several contractors and determine whether the price is appropriate for the scope and frequency of the work.
Choose a locally rooted contractor
A locally rooted contractor that knows the area’s climate and environment well can respond with appropriate work content and pricing. Another advantage is that they are often better able to handle urgent requests.
How can you tell the difference between a good cleaning contractor and a poor one?
The quality of a cleaning contractor has a significant impact on apartment management. Keep these points in mind when evaluating them.
Whether they are flexible
A contractor that notices and deals with trash even outside the formal scope of work is trustworthy. A poor contractor may leave even obvious trash in front of them because they consider it outside their assignment.
Whether dirt is being removed thoroughly
A good contractor cleans carefully into every corner, while a poor contractor tends to address only the visible areas. If subcontractors are handling the cleaning, quality control may not be consistent, so caution is required.
Whether they provide detailed cleaning reports
A contractor that reports what they notice is a valuable partner for landlords, because they can provide hints for improving the property.
Whether the work is done by in-house staff
Contractors that train and educate their staff and have a system for carrying out work according to a task list tend to deliver consistent quality.
What is the process for requesting regular apartment cleaning?
Let us review the steps involved before starting regular cleaning.
- Select and contact a cleaning contractor: choose a contractor by comparing track record, pricing, and service area
- Create a cleaning plan: decide the cleaning scope and frequency according to the property’s location and environment
- Start regular cleaning: for the initial visit, proceed while confirming the details together with the contractor
- Check the finished work: confirm quality by comparing photos from before and after cleaning
Regular apartment cleaning is an essential responsibility for preserving a building’s asset value and improving tenant satisfaction. By finding a good cleaning contractor and carrying out the work systematically, you can achieve stable rental management over the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should regular apartment cleaning be performed?
As a basic guideline, regular cleaning should be carried out once a month, while large-scale cleaning such as high-pressure washing of exterior walls and drainpipe cleaning should be done about once every six months. Adjust the frequency according to the property’s location and environment.
What is the typical cost of regular cleaning?
Typical rates are from JPY 40,000 for high-pressure washing of exterior walls, from JPY 15,000 for glass cleaning, and from JPY 25,000 for floor washing and wax application. Discounts may also apply when multiple services are requested as a package.
Is it better for the landlord to clean personally or to hire a contractor?
Routine cleaning can be handled by the landlord, but regular cleaning often requires specialized equipment such as high-pressure washing machines, so hiring a professional contractor is more reliable. Another advantage is that the property’s condition can be checked at the same time.
What should I do if I want to change cleaning contractors?
Check the contract term and cancellation conditions, then obtain an estimate from a new contractor before switching. It is important to allow for a handover period so that cleaning quality is not interrupted.
