Commercial Landlords Should Take Cleanliness Seriously: Here’s Why 

The world of rental units is fierce, and the competition is intense. And while landlords often have the upper hand in all matters, there are some ‘musts’ that many potential tenants simply cannot ignore — and a clean, orderly building is definitely one.

Read on to find out why cleanliness is so important to potential tenants, how keeping condos and apartments clean can protect your business from backlash over poor hygiene, and some tips for keeping on top of cleanliness in a commercial rental space.

Tenant Health and Safety Is Paramount

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic heightened our consciousness about the importance of cleanliness in public places, and a clean environment can put tenants at ease, knowing that the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of germs and viruses are being taken.

Condos and apartment buildings that showcase clean floors, stairwells, elevators and windows, as well as sanitization stations in reception areas, send a strong message that cleanliness and customer health and safety are a top priority.

A Clean Space Denotes Professionalism

A building’s cleanliness reflects a landlord’s commitment to quality and professionalism. Potential tenants will likely associate a clean and organized space with a trustworthy and reliable company. This may increase the likelihood of a potential tenant or unit buyer making the leap and moving in. 

On the contrary, a dirty or disorganized space can tarnish a commercial landlord’s reputation and deter prospective tenants.

Cleanliness Protects Your Reputation

In the digital age, where everyone is glued to their cell phones, online reviews, social media posts, and word of mouth travels quickly. Negative experiences related to a building’s cleanliness can be shared and amplified, potentially causing significant harm to its image.

By maintaining clean lobby areas, hallways and showroom units, commercial landlords can not only preserve their brand reputation but also attract more tenants through positive word of mouth.

Cleaning Sets the Tone for Team Members

A clean work environment sets a professional working tone for team members; they’ll immediately understand that there are standards to uphold, both for their surroundings and their quality of work.

Ways to Cleaning Maintain Standards

• Develop a cleaning schedule that outlines daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks, assigning specific duties to key employees and hiring a professional service when warranted.
• Designate daily cleaning responsibilities, including wiping down high-traffic touch areas, like door handles, emptying garbage and ensuring laundry facilities are checked per schedule throughout the day.
• Designate weekly tasks, like dusting ledges and mopping floors and monthly tasks, like checking air vents and cleaning windows.
• Lastly, train team members to ensure proper cleaning procedures are understood and followed. Doing so guarantees your property complies with all local health and safety regulations.

Take Extra Time for Pest Control

Secure the help of a local pest control company to make sure no unwelcome pests move indoors as the winter season looms. Prevention is key. Take your time here. Not all pest control looks the same. Make sure you find an audit-ready team with experience handling multi-unit residential buildings.

Some other tips include:

• Scheduling routine inspections of common areas, individual units, and any shared spaces within the condo building. Inspections should be carried out at least quarterly and more frequently if there’s a history of pest problems.
• Ensuring trash is collected routinely and stored in robust bins until the collection date.
• Taking time to cut shrubbery and bushes back and to remove snow from abutting the building’s perimeter. Standing water can entice pests.

Effective pest control in a condo building requires a proactive, integrated approach involving cooperation from building management, residents, and professional pest control services. By taking preventive measures and responding promptly to pest issues, you can maintain a pest-free and comfortable living environment for everyone in the condominium community.

The Bottom Line

Cleanliness is a fundamental aspect of the rental experience. Avoid legal ramifications for poor hygiene practices and maintain your building’s reputation among renters by taking cleanliness seriously at all levels.