Estate standards

Caretakers work between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. Caretaking schedules vary according to location, day-to-day conditions, priorities and seasonal demands.

Mobile caretaking weekly tasks

• litter picking of sites including flowerbeds and under hedges

• mopping and sweeping of all internal hallways and staircases

• removing marks from walls and skirting

• cleaning of handrails and window sills

• removal of all cobwebs

• rotating of bins where applicable

• reporting missed bin collections

• sweeping of hard surfaces

• reporting of issues such as domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour (ASB), fly-tipping, items in the communal area

• being the ‘eyes and ears’ of the estate – reporting any concerning around safeguarding/welfare

• building rapport with residents, colleagues and partners

• playground inspections

• vehicle inspections

• assisting with leafing/tree debris on hard surfaces

• glass/window cleaning internal

• reporting repairs and any hazards such as trip/slip hazards, sharps, fire/combustible items

Static caretaking weekly tasks

• daily checking of all blocks and areas for urgent issues especially hazards 

• litter picking of sites including flowerbeds and under hedges

• litter picking of grass on the morning of the day when the Grounds Maintenance Team is due

• mopping and sweeping of all internal hallways and staircases

• removing marks from walls and skirting

• cleaning of handrails and windowsills

• removal of cobwebs

• rotating of bins where applicable

• reporting missed bin collections

• sweeping of hard surfaces

• reporting of issues such as domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour ( ASB), fly-tipping, items in the communal area and grounds maintenance issues

• being the ‘eyes and ears’ of the estate – reporting any concerning around safeguarding/welfare

• deep cleaning of all internal blocks when necessary

• noticeboards: keep clear of outdated items and put new information up when needed

• internal glass/window cleaning

• playground inspections

• reporting repairs

 

Our grounds maintenance service covers a range of activities, including:

 

• horticulture

• maintaining communal trees

• cutting grass

• clearing leaves

• maintaining shrub beds

The team work to agreed schedules and priorities.

 

Sutton Council is responsible for collecting communal waste and recycling from our housing estates, blocks and flats.

The Council is also responsible for collecting household, recycling and garden waste bins from non-estate SHP properties.  

If you live in an SHP property in the London Borough of Merton please check the Merton Council website for information on their waste and recycling collection . 

Bin collection days and missed collections

If you live in an SHP property in the London Borough of Sutton, you can visit the Council's website to:

• check your bin collection day  

• report a missed collection 

Annual 2023/24 collection calendar

You can download your annual collection calendar using the calendar request form .

Bulky waste

If you have large or bulky items you no longer want you can arrange for them to be collected from your property by booking a bulk waste collection from Sutton Council. Please note, there is a cost for this service. 

Household Reuse and Recycling Centres 

You can also take household waste or recycling to the Household Reuse and Recycle Centre at Kimpton Way . Please note that the Kimpton Way Centre is only for residents of the London Borough of Sutton. You must book an appointment before you visit Kimpton Way as without it you will not be allowed access.

If you are a resident in the London Borough of Merton you can find information on how to dispose of your household waste or recycling at the Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre . 

Fly-tipping

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of items like white goods (fridges, freezers, cookers), furniture, mattresses and rubbish left next to litter or recycling banks.

We will not tolerate fly-tipping on our housing estates and we will do everything possible to identify and take appropriate enforcement action against residents who fly-tip. Find out how to report a fly-tip to Sutton Housing Partnership .

Clear communal spaces

To keep you as safe as possible, please work with us to keep communal spaces clear.

Communal spaces are areas shared by other residents. So if you live in a building that shares stairwells, lifts, entrance halls, landings, paths, walkways or external areas with other residents, you must keep them clear of any personal items. 

Please do not store any of the following in communal areas (this list is not exhaustive):

• plant stands and pot plants (including hanging baskets)

• doormats

• shoes and shoe racks

• pushchairs or buggies

• mobility scooters

• bicycles

Items left in communal spaces can delay emergency services getting to you, or prevent residents from leaving the building during an emergency. Any such hazards may be removed during our regular inspections.

We understand it can be more convenient to store a buggy or bike outside your home, but your safety is our priority. 

Read our  Clear and Safe Communal Spaces Policy 2025.pdf [pdf] 305KB

Larger items, recycling and bulk waste

If you have any questions about where to store larger items please contact your Housing Manager or find out how to dispose of or recycle the items you no longer want.