Is Shared Hallway in an Apartment Building Part of My Cleaning Responsibillity?

ckck520 on 21/09/2015 - 02:13

I live on the 4th floor of an apartment building, and will be moving out next week, I was told by my agent that the soiled/stained carpet in the hallway area leading up to my door is part of my cleaning responsibility, the hallway is shared with another unit next my unit, and is used by other tenant on the lower floor to access the roof terrace(it is one of two ways to get there, the other way is to take the emergency stairs), where people can use the bbq pit provided by the landlord, at least there is 1 tenant holds a bbq party there with 5-15 guest each week.

I feel this is unfair for me that I need to pay extra for the cleaning service to steam and clean that area. Is it my responsibility or do I have a strong reason get her to drop this requirement? Or what if the landlord insist on getting it done, and I refuse to do so, do I have a case? Thanks!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Settero on 21/09/2015 - 05:58
    +3

    … have you looked at your lease ?
    if its in there , its your responsibility.
    if it is not. then its not.

  • Cheeper on 21/09/2015 - 06:40
    +1

    Sometimes shared areas are the responsibility of the body corporate?
    As said… read your lease agreement.

  • chumlee on 21/09/2015 - 06:53
    +1

    Would have thought it is common area and therefore comes under body corporate but as mentioned check your lease

  • Aceboy884 on 21/09/2015 - 08:39
    +1

    It should be body corporate, that's why you pay strata fees

    • dasher86 on 21/09/2015 - 09:04
      +1

      OP appears to be a tenant so probably does not pay strata fees - that is usually the owner.

      He needs to check the lease.

  • DarkOz on 21/09/2015 - 09:05
    +2

    It's a common area managed by the BC. It's the BC contract cleaner's responsibility unless you have damaged it which required repair.

  • ckck520 on 21/09/2015 - 11:39
    1. The tenant agrees, when this agreement ends and before giving vacant possession of the premises to the landlord:
      17.1 to remove all the tenant’s goods from the residential premises, and
      17.2 to leave the residential premises as nearly as possible in the same condition, fair wear and tear excepted, as at the commencement of the tenancy, and
      17.3 to leave the residential premises reasonably clean, having regard to their condition at the commencement of the tenancy, and
      17.4 to remove or arrange for the removal of all rubbish from the residential premises, and
      17.5 to make sure that all light fittings on the premises have working globes, and
      17.6 to return to the landlord all keys, and other opening devices or similar devices, provided by the landlord.

    Does 'the premises' include common area? It does not specifically state common area.

    • DarkOz on 21/09/2015 - 13:09

      The common areas are never a tenant's responsibility. Either this agent is new to the profession or he is another dodgy one. /SMH.

  • thatonethere on 21/09/2015 - 12:07

    I would lodge a request with your real estate agent to say that the body corporate has not been cleaning and maintaining the common area hallway.

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