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The Ultimate Strata Cleaning Guide

Adriana Aziz · Updated 14 May 2026 · 5 min read
What strata cleaning is, why residential and commercial complexes hire a strata cleaning service, and what that service should include.
Picture of  Adriana Aziz
Adriana Aziz

Operations Manager · MaidForYou

Table of Contents
On this page
  1. What is Strata Cleaning?
  2. Why is it Necessary to Hire a Strata Cleaning Service
  3. What to Expect from a Strata Cleaning Service
Quick answer
Strata cleaning covers the shared common areas of multi-unit residential complexes and commercial buildings, such as stairways, lifts, hallways, entrances, pools, gyms and gardens. A building committee hires the cleaning company, since no individual owner is responsible for these spaces.

Not a lot of people are familiar with the concept of strata cleaning, or why it is a highly beneficial service to use in commercial and residential complexes. On the flip side, many building committees are turning to professional strata cleaning services to take care of specific cleaning needs that the average cleaning company does not offer. Moreover, unlike regular house cleaning services, strata cleaning requires a much more structured system in place with (typically) larger cleaning equipment, and a bigger team of professionally trained cleaners. The kind of cleaning tasks to be fulfilled also differentiate from the requirements of general home and commercial properties; therefore, to put it simply, only a professional and qualified strata cleaning company is equipped to meet these very specific and necessary cleaning needs.

Today, we’re going to learn what strata cleaning is, what to expect from a professional strata cleaning service, and why it’s important to hire one in the first place. Read on!

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What is Strata Cleaning?

large shared apartment complex with small pool

Although there are quite a few countries where the concept of strata cleaning has picked up, it originated in Australia, and continues to generate interest and questions surrounding the perks of hiring a company that offers professional strata cleaning services. By definition, strata cleaning includes maintaining and cleaning common areas within a commercial property or sub-divided spaces in a residential complex.

A strata cleaning company is hired by a building committee while the treasurer typically handles the accounts. Depending on the type of property in question, the committee will put forth their requirements, terms and conditions will be discussed, and the preferred services will be finalised before the company is hired.

In a commercial space where two or more businesses are functioning in a single premises such as a building with multiple offices, or a mall with different stores operating under one roof, there will be several common areas shared between office/shop owners or renters that require cleaning and regular seasonal maintenance. Some of these include, stairways, elevators, hallways, lavatories, entrances, and outdoor spaces such as pathways, steps, lawn areas, benches, tables, etc. Similarly, residential estates with amenities and common spaces like swimming pools, gyms, parks, pavements, and gardens also require regular upkeep that no individual household is responsible for. Collectively, under a building and maintenance committee, these hard-to-clean areas can be taken care of by a team of professionals in the form of strata cleaning. 

Why is it Necessary to Hire a Strata Cleaning Service

large shared apartment complex with playground in the middle

It’s simple; without strata cleaning, the overall quality of life, whether you are living or working at the property, will deteriorate. You will be walking and existing amongst dirt, dust, grime, and filth that keeps on accumulating while the value of the property depreciates. 

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the crucial reasons why you should hire a strata cleaning company.

Keeps the Place Sanitary

Many parts of a common property are prone to dirt and grime which become hotspots for bacteria. Until and unless they are cleaned and sterilized regularly, you will be exposed to these unsanitary surfaces and areas on a daily basis.

Helps to Stay on Top of Repairs/Maintenance

Strata cleaners can spot damages to the property and, in some cases, offer subsequent repairs. For example, if a common floor is in need of sealing or re-grouting, the strata cleaning company can take care of that upon request. 

Light Fixtures are Maintained

It’s often the case where one or two light bulbs need changing, or the light fixtures are crowded with dead moths and other insects that are attracted to light. Unfortunately, common lighting fixtures are generally ignored unless you have a strata cleaning service maintaining them, and ensuring that all the bulbs are in working condition.

Gyms + Equipment are Sanitised

There are so many people who use the same gym equipment and sweat all over the place leaving behind germs and bacteria, as well as an unpleasant smell in the air! The cleaning requirements for a public gym are nowhere near as ordinary as cleaning a home gym and the equipment in it; therefore, the need for a professional strata cleaning service is crucial.

Pool Cleaning & Maintenance is Taken Care of

Unmaintained swimming pools are very unhygienic to use, nor would you want to be in one that’s not cleaned. The mere sight is enough to turn you off but the real worry is the many health risks that come with using an unmaintained swimming pool. Proper cleaning and maintenance by a strata professional is highly recommended because the right equipment and firsthand experience is required to perform this rather complex task. 

A ‘Package Deal’ is Cheaper

If you hire and delegate miscellaneous tasks to various cleaners/companies that specialise in certain areas of indoor and outdoor cleaning, you will be paying a hefty cumulative total to have a common property cleaned. Strata cleaning services, on the other hand, offer all-in-one package deals that are more affordable than paying a bunch of companies for different types of cleaning and maintenance services.

What to Expect from a Strata Cleaning Service

multi levelled shared apartment complex

It helps to know what to look for in a strata cleaning company before you hire one. Along with their terms and conditions, it’s important to discuss the services included in full detail, and frequency of cleaning tasks to be carried out.

As a general guide, take a look at this strata cleaning checklist that includes most services offered by strata cleaning companies:

  • Sweeping outdoor spaces and removal of natural debris
  • Cleaning floors of common areas
  • Cleaning elevators and disinfecting buttons/screens inside
  • Disinfecting switchboards in all common areas
  • Dusting furniture in common rooms
  • Cleaning cobwebs from outdoor and indoor areas within the property
  • Sterilising frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, railings, tables, chair backs, etc
  • Vacuuming carpeted floors of common areas
  • Cleaning and maintaining common wheelie bins
  • Dusting walls
  • Washing glass doors and windows
  • Cleaning garden areas and lawn maintenance
  • Cleaning and removal of stains from pavers and concrete flooring

Bear in mind that most strata cleaning companies offer customised services to meet the specific cleaning needs of their clients. If you have any queries regarding strata cleaning, feel free to contact Maid For You, and we will be happy to answer all your questions. We offer a wide range of strata cleaning services which include green cleaning methods to ensure a toxic-free service for the benefit of our clients, and the environment!

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About the Author
Adriana Aziz, Operations Manager at MaidForYou
Adriana Aziz
Operations Manager · MaidForYou
Adriana Aziz is the operations manager at MaidForYou. With over 12 years of experience managing cleaning operations, she knows all the best hacks when it comes to cleaning residential and commercial buildings. With expert experience in managing house cleaning operations, interior design and logistics. She spends her free time with her family and as a freelance food critic.
Industry Experience
12 + yrs
Cleans Overseen
135,000 +

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