Cleaning and Gardening

GEMS and Hi Spec provide the following services but this may vary dependent on where you live. All staff are easily identifiable while working on-site with GEMS and Hi Spec branded uniforms and identification badges.

 

Regular Cleaning (Weekly)

Buildings with internal communal areas will receive a weekly cleaning service.

All accessible communal areas will be cleaned; the following tasks will be carried out as part of the weekly service.

• Sweep and mop of shared halls, landings and staircases
• Clean internal glass on any shared doors, landings and staircases
• Clean, sweep and mop all lifts (where applicable)
• Remove litter and empty communal litter bins
• Empty dog waste bins (where applicable)
• Sweep and disinfect refuse area (where accessible)

 

Graffiti Removal

Our operatives will remove graffiti from all non-porous surfaces during their weekly visit. If the graffiti is offensive, we will remove within 24 hours of being notified.

 

Fly Tipping

GEMS will remove any reported fly tipping within 5 working days. We do not provide any bulk waste services and it is our customers responsibility to ensure they dispose of household furniture and unwanted items responsibly.

 

Responsive Cleaning (within 24 hours)

It is possible that a situation may occur which requires the attendance of the cleaning operative prior to the next clean, this could include spillages, bodily fluids or hazardous items in the internal communal area that may require urgent attention. Once reported the operative will attend site within 24 hours to address the issue.

 

Annual Services

It maybe necessary in high traffic areas for deep cleaning of the floor coverings to be carried out. This would be carried out annually and the dates will be displayed in your noticeboards.

 

Scheduled Grounds Maintenance

A program of seasonal works is carried out throughout the year to communal grounds in your neighbourhood. Our team will carry out the works at fortnightly intervals throughout the year.

It is your responsibility to maintain any landscaping that is located within the boundary of your property this includes grass, hedges and trees.

 

The following tasks are carried out throughout the year:

• Grass cutting (March – November)
• Grass cuttings removed from site (March – November)
• Herbicide application (March & June)
• Hedge cutting and removal of cuttings (March & July)
• Removal of heavy leaf fall (October & November)
• Litter pick of site (each visit)
• Shrub bed maintenance.

 

Working together to keep our neighbourhoods clean and tidy

To ensure our operatives can carry out these tasks, please ensure communal areas are free from obstructions, some elements of the service may not be provided if the team are unable to access the area.

Pick up after your pets; please ensure any animal waste is picked up and disposed of. Animal waste can go in any general waste bin.

Please ensure all refuse is placed in the bins provided and only bagged waste is placed in the refuse containers. Failure to place refuse in the bins provided can lead to other issues such as vermin and loss of service.

Report fly tipping. If you notice fly tipping in the communal area report it, we can then ensure it is removed within the next 5 working days.

Recycling

The majority of our neighbourhoods have recycling facilities, however if these refuse containers are not used correctly they may be removed by your Local Authority. Often we find that people like to recycle but they are unaware of what is required. The websites listed below will be able to provide you with information and guidance and provide you with alternative locations to recycle in your area.

If you require recycling bags, food waste bags, food caddies or any other items to enable you to start recycling, get in contact with your Local Authority and they will be able to provide with information on how to get them.

Useful Links

• www.recyclenow.com
• www.keepbritaintidy.org

Bulk Waste & Green Waste

We do not provide a bulk waste collection, the service charge covers the removal of illegally disposed of waste. We understand it can be challenging to find ways to dispose of household items or green waste.

There are a number of ways you can dispose of your unwanted items, including:

• Donate them - a number of charities will collect furniture and other household items if they are in a reasonable condition
• Freecycle - there are a number of online market places where people will pick up your unwanted items
• Bulk Waste Collection - most Local Authorities provide a bulk waste collection for a fee. It may not be as much as you think!
• Local Tip - in some areas local amenity sites will allow to take household items and furniture and dispose of them free of charge.

You can also use the gov.uk to find your local provider of bulky waste collections

Missed Collections

If you have had a missed collection this needs to be reported to the Local Authority as soon as possible, they will make the arrangements for the waste containers to be emptied.

Missed collections can occur for a number of reasons and can cause a number of issues where you live, to reduce the likelihood of a missed collection, please ensure all bags are placed in the waste containers provided as obstructions in front of the waste containers can lead to missed collections. Only place household bagged waste in the containers, disposing of household items and furniture may result in a missed collection, it also means there is less space for people to dispose of their waste. Do not park or obstruct the entrance to the refuse areas and ensure only recycling is placed is the recycling waste containers it is common for a recycling bin not to be collected due to contamination with general waste.

Report a Missed Collection

You can usually report missed collections via Local Authority Websites.