Getting your residents' community ready for peak season

When summer arrives, many residents' communities see a considerable increase in activity. More residents, visits, family members, holiday rentals, comings and goings… all of this means heavier use of entrance halls, staircases, lifts and common areas.

And as footfall increases, so does the need to keep these spaces clean, cared-for and ready.

That's why, before peak season arrives, it's worth reviewing the state of the community and adjusting the cleaning and maintenance plan if needed.

In this article we cover what's worth checking before summer and how to prepare your residents' community for the increase in visitors and use of common areas.

Why is it worth preparing the community before summer?

During the busiest months, common areas can see far more use than usual.

The entrance hall sees more comings and goings, the lift runs for more hours, staircases get busier, and outdoor areas may need extra attention.

In addition, many communities in tourist areas or near holiday destinations may see more visitors and guests staying in holiday-rental properties.

All of this means a cleaning schedule that works perfectly the rest of the year can fall short in peak season.

The key is to anticipate the increase in use rather than wait until dirt and wear become obvious.

1. Check the entrance hall and building entrance

The entrance hall is the first area residents and visitors see when entering the community. That's why it deserves special attention during summer.

A basic check should include:

• Floors and doormats.
• Entrance doors.
• Windows and mirrors.
• Handles and contact surfaces.
• Mailboxes.
• Walls and areas prone to marks.
• Dust in corners and decorative items.
• Lighting and overall appearance.

It's not just about removing dirt. The entrance hall should convey a sense of cleanliness, order and care.

2. Pay attention to staircases and landings

Staircases are one of the areas that feel the increase in footfall the most.

Dust, sand, small particles brought in from outside, and marks on the floor can build up faster during the summer months.

So it's worth checking:

• Staircases.
• Landings.
• Corridors.
• Handrails.
• Skirting boards.
• Corners.
• Windows and glass in common areas.

Handrails and other touchpoints also deserve special attention as part of the cleaning routine.

A well-planned regular clean helps prevent dirt building up and keeps a consistent look across all floors.

3. Don't forget the lift

The lift can become one of the most frequently used spaces in the whole community.

During peak season, comings and goings can increase considerably, especially in buildings with holiday-rental homes.

So, besides general cleaning, it's worth paying attention to:

• The cabin floor.
• Walls and doors.
• Mirrors.
• Button panels.
• Handrails.
• Marks and fingerprints.
• Corners.

The frequency needed will depend on how the building is used. A community with little movement may need a different frequency from one in a tourist area with numerous comings and goings.

4. Check the outdoor common areas

If the community has a courtyard, garden, communal terrace or pool, summer can multiply their use.

These areas need specific planning because usage can be far higher than during the rest of the year.

It's especially worth checking:

• Access points.
• Outdoor floors.
• Walkways.
• Communal furniture.
• Bins and waste points.
• Glass and surfaces.
• Areas near pools.
• Entrances and exits of common areas.

It's important to distinguish between cleaning and specialised maintenance. The cleaning company can handle the relevant cleaning tasks, while certain installations or equipment may require specialist technicians.

5. Adapt cleaning frequency to increased use

One of the most common mistakes is keeping exactly the same schedule all year round.

However, if the building receives more people during the summer months, it can make sense to temporarily increase the cleaning frequency.

There's no universal frequency. Planning should take into account:

• Number of homes.
• Approximate number of residents.
• Usual footfall.
• Presence of holiday rentals.
• Number of common areas.
• Whether there's a lift.
• Gardens or pools.
• Time of year.
• Specific features of the building.

The goal isn't cleaning for its own sake, but adapting the service to the community's real needs.

6. Identify areas that need a deep clean

Regular cleaning is essential, but it isn't always enough.

Before peak season starts can be a good time for a more thorough check of areas that don't need intensive attention at every visit.

For example:

• Windows.
• Skirting boards.
• Hard-to-reach corners.
• High areas.
• Marked walls.
• Decorative items.
• Doors and frames.
• Garages and less accessible areas.
• Communal spaces that have been closed.

A deep clean before summer can serve as a reset. Regular maintenance then takes care of preserving the result.

7. Also prepare the community for visitors and holiday rentals

If the building has homes used for holiday rental, activity can increase especially during the summer months.

Although cleaning the inside of each home is normally the owner's or manager's responsibility, guest turnover can increase use of the common elements.

More suitcases coming and going, more use of the lift, more footfall through the staircases and entrance hall…

That's why, in communities with this kind of activity, it can be especially useful to review the cleaning plan for common areas before peak season.

8. Check touchpoints

Some elements are touched constantly and deserve special attention in any cleaning routine.

• Door handles.
• Handrails.
• Lift buttons.
• Light switches.
• Handles.
• Doors.
• Handrails.

Identifying these points makes it easier to organise the work and avoid leaving certain surfaces out of the usual routine.

Checklist: is your community ready for summer?

• ☐ Entrance hall clean and tidy.
• ☐ Doormats and access points checked.
• ☐ Windows and mirrors in good condition.
• ☐ Staircases and landings clean.
• ☐ Handrails checked.
• ☐ Lift clean and well maintained.
• ☐ Touchpoints included in the routine.
• ☐ Corridors and common areas checked.
• ☐ Bins and waste under control.
• ☐ Gardens and outdoor areas checked.
• ☐ Pool-side areas ready, if applicable.
• ☐ Hard-to-reach areas identified.
• ☐ Deep-cleaning needs detected.
• ☐ Cleaning frequency adapted for summer.
• ☐ Maintenance issues reported to the right people.

Regular cleaning or a one-off boost before summer?

In reality, a well-prepared community may need both.

An effective option is to do a reset clean before peak season and then step up maintenance during the busiest months.

For example:

Before summer: a deep clean of the areas that need it.

During peak season: regular maintenance adapted to increased footfall.

After summer: a check and deep clean of areas that have seen more wear or built-up dirt.

This system keeps a more consistent level of cleanliness without relying solely on extraordinary interventions.

A clean community also improves everyday life together

Common elements are spaces shared by all residents.

Keeping them clean and cared-for doesn't just improve the building's image. It also helps make shared spaces more pleasant and suitable for everyone.

In addition, the regulations applicable to residents' communities set out obligations to conserve and maintain common elements. In Catalonia, the Catalan Civil Code expressly includes entrance halls, staircases and lifts among common elements and establishes a duty to keep them properly maintained.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a residents' community be cleaned in summer?

There's no single frequency. It depends on the number of homes, footfall, residents, common areas and the presence of holiday rentals. In peak season it can be worth temporarily increasing the frequency.

Which areas of a community need more attention in summer?

Entrance hall, staircases, landings, lift, corridors, access points and outdoor areas usually need special attention when footfall from residents and visitors increases.

Is it worth doing a deep clean before summer?

It can be advisable. A deep clean helps bring windows, skirting boards, corners, doors, high areas and other elements up to standard, since they don't always need intensive attention at every visit.

Do holiday rentals affect the cleaning of common areas?

Frequent check-ins and check-outs can increase use of the entrance hall, lift and staircases. Because of this, communities with holiday-rental homes can benefit from reviewing and adjusting their cleaning plan during peak season.

Can a professional company adapt a community's cleaning in summer?

Yes. A professional service can adjust the frequency and tasks to suit the building's features and the changes in use that occur during peak season.

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