Estate Services
The Responsibility of the Team
Our Bernicia Estate Services Team are responsible to ensure that estates are kept clean and tidy also that you are safe in your home.
They are responsible for the upkeep of the communal areas on the estates in which you live, which involves grounds maintenance, communal cleaning and window cleaning. We are also responsible to ensure that all cyclical servicing within your property is carried out in line with legislation and good practice.
To ensure that we achieve the above we have a highly trained and committed team of staff who ensure all policies and procedures are followed and targets are met.
We ensure that:
• The landscape areas on your estate owned by Bernicia are kept clean and tidy
• The communal areas free from rubbish
• Graffiti on building owned by Bernicia will be removed within 7 days
• The internal communal areas of the block of flats in which you live will be kept clean
• The communal windows in blocks of flats will be kept clean
• Any lift within your scheme is maintained and kept in good working order
• Communal electrical systems are maintained
• Fire fighting equipment is serviced yearly
• Water hygiene testing is carried out to ensure your water is kept to an acceptable standard
• Commercial Boilers are serviced
Grounds Maintenance
To ensure the grass and shrub beds are maintained to an acceptable level Bernicia employs external contractors to carry out this function. The contractors are selected by a tendering process with contracts normally being granted for 3 years. The contractors have a set programme that they must follow with the majority of work taking place during the growing season April to October. Regular monitoring of the contractors takes place and meetings held with the contractors to allow performance to be discussed. We are also looking to develop contacts on our estates to assist in the monitoring of contractors.
In addition to the contractors Benicia employs its own in-house team to ensure the communal areas of our estates owned Bernicia are kept clear of rubbish and the gardens of empty properties are tidy. Similar to the contractors the in-house staff have a set programme of monthly visits. These visits take place throughout the year with every site receiving a visit at least monthly.
Bin Cleaning/Graffiti
We have our own designated bin cleaning/graffiti removal team.
We arrange the cleaning of the communal refuse bins at our retirement housing schemes monthly.
We aim to remove offensive graffiti within 24 hours and all other graffiti removed within 7 days.
Any graffiti should be reported on 0844 800 3800.
Communal Cleaning
Cleaning of the internal communal areas of our flats are carried out by both contractors and in-house staff. The communal areas are cleaned at least once a week. We monitor the performance of the contractor by site inspections and hold regular meetings with them to discuss our findings. In-house staff are also monitored with issues being discussed directly.
Communal Window Cleaning
Communal window cleaning is carried out monthly at our sites. Site inspections are carried out to assess the standard and meetings held with the contractor.
Lift Service
All passenger lifts within our schemes are serviced monthly to meet Health and Safety legislation. This service covers all working parts to ensure it is safe to be used. We service stair lifts yearly to ensure they are safe and to meet legal requirements.
Electrical Servicing
Electrical servicing covers a number of areas which ensures the wellbeing and safety of our residents. The areas covered are:-
• Extractor Fans
• PAT Testing
• Fire Alarms
• Emergency Lights
• Warden Call
• Door Entry
• Communal Intruder Alarms
• Fixed Electric Tests
We ensure that all electrical serving is carried out in line with legislation or best practice. Some service takes place monthly, some quarterly and others yearly. We contact residents prior to work taking place to arranged suitable appointments.
Fire Fighting Equipment
We provide fire fighting equipment in a number of our schemes be it fire extinguishers or fire blankets. We ensure the system provided is in working condition and suitable for requirements.
Water Hygiene
Water hygiene testing is carried out monthly to ensure that the water you drink is safe. Testing should identify any problems of legionella and ensure that water is stored at correct temperatures.
Commercial Boilers
In some of our schemes we have communal heating systems. Similar to individual boilers we have to ensure these communal boilers are serviced yearly. In addition to the annual service the boilers are inspected by our insurance company.
If you require any further information in respect to the areas we operate please contact us on 0800 800 3800 or email enquiries@bernicia.com