Common Spaces, Uncommon Challenges

Common Spaces, Uncommon Challenges: Managing the Shared Corners of the Building
Behind every door, there's a story... and a to-do list.

Every property manager knows: the units may be private, but the chaos? That lives in the common areas.

From the gym where only one machine ever gets used (and never wiped down), to the laundry room where socks disappear into the unknown—we're responsible for every hallway, nook, and shared space in the building. And let’s be honest—some tenants treat these places like hotel amenities… without the staff.

So, here’s a full walk-through of what it really takes to keep the shared zones running smoothly, cleanly, and diplomatically.

🛋 Social Room / Party Room

What it is: The space everyone forgets exists—until they want to throw a baby shower or a 40th birthday for a cousin 12 people too many.
Daily Must-Dos:

• Wipe all tables, chairs, counters.

• Check for leftover balloons, “Happy Retirement” signs, or pizza crusts in plant pots.

• Vacuum, mop, disinfect touchpoints.
  Show-Ready Standards:
  Even when not booked, this room needs to look like it could host a realtor wine-and-cheese in 10 minutes.
  Tips:

• Post clear rules: quiet hours, cleanup requirements, capacity limits.

• Always have extra garbage bags tucked away—they will forget.

🏋️ Gym / Fitness Room

What it is: A room full of treadmills that scream when powered on, and yoga mats that haven’t been moved since 2021.
Daily Must-Dos:

• Sanitize equipment (especially handles, seats, and screens).

• Mop floors—sweat is sneaky.

• Refill disinfectant spray bottles and paper towels.
  Show-Ready Standards:
  This room should smell like lemon cleaner, not like someone’s New Year’s resolution.
  Tips:

• Place “Wipe After Use” signs where eyes naturally fall (aka, on the machines).

• Regularly test all equipment. Report anything squeaky, sparky, or suspicious.

🏊 Swimming Pool

What it is: The most regulated and most complained-about amenity in any building.
Daily Must-Dos:

• Water testing and logbooks

• Visual check for floating toys, band-aids, or unsupervised cannonballs.

• Tile scrubbing and deck cleaning.
  Show-Ready Standards:
  Tiles clean, safety signage clear, lifesaving equipment intact.
  Tips:

• Limit guest numbers and clearly post pool hours.

• Do not skip daily chlorine tests—your public health inspector won’t.

🔥 Sauna & Whirlpool / Hot Tub

What it is: A spa-like zone, where people sweat and soak… and sometimes snack (don’t ask).
Daily Must-Dos:

• Wipe benches and sanitize handles.

• Drain and clean whirlpool filters regularly.

• Check timers, heaters, and safety signage.
  Tips:

• Post “No Food or Drink” signs (yes, people bring iced coffee into a sauna).

• Temperature logs and emergency shutoff should be easy to find.

🚲 Bike Room (Resident Use)

What it is: A room full of hopes, tires, and tangled handlebars. Home to serious cyclists, rusty cruisers, and that one abandoned tricycle no one will claim.
Daily Must-Dos:

• Quick visual check for spills, blocked exits, or bikes that have toppled like dominos.

• Sweep floor—gravel, dirt, and mystery leaves love to gather here.

• Check door locks and ensure the access system is working.
  Show-Ready Standards:
  It should look like a functional storage room, not a post-race bike graveyard. Organized rows, no loose parts, no tire tracks leading up the wall.
  Tips:

• Encourage tenants to tag bikes with unit numbers or parking stickers—especially before spring cleanup.

• Post a bi-annual notice: "Unclaimed bikes will be removed." And mean it.

• Remind tenants not to block doors, sprinkler systems, or stack bikes like Jenga blocks.

• If the room smells like chain grease and effort, that’s fine. If it smells like mildew and mystery, it’s time for a deep clean.

🧺 Laundry Room

What it is: Where socks vanish, and detergent caps live their second lives on the floor.
Daily Must-Dos:

• Wipe machines, sanitize door handles.

• Clean lint traps if tenants don't.

• Mop floors (detergent spills are slippery).
  Tips:

• Post clear “Laundry Etiquette” signage—time limits, clean-up rules, quiet hours.

• Add a small lost & found bin for mystery socks and runaway buttons.

• Keep the payment/card machine clean and working - tempers rise when dryers don’t.

🧑‍🍳 Lunch / Break Room (for staff or residents)

What it is: The one room where microwaved leftovers and passive-aggressive sticky notes coexist.
Daily Must-Dos:

• Disinfect surfaces, microwave, sink, fridge handle.

• Empty fridge weekly—label or toss mystery meals.

• Refill soap, paper towels, and coffee if applicable.
  Tips:

• Label shelves if shared.

• Keep this space looking tidy—it reflects the tone of your team.

🧹 Staff Room / Cleaning Room / Janitor’s Closet

What it is: The behind-the-scenes HQ.
Daily Must-Dos:

• Restock and organize supplies.

• Check that mop heads, rags, and vacuums are clean and in working order.

• Safely store chemicals—labelled and separated.
  Tips:

• Do monthly inventory checks.

• Never let cleaning supplies look dirtier than the messes they’re meant to clean.

• SDS (Safety Data Sheets) must be visible and up to date.

⚡ Electrical / Mechanical / Utility Rooms

What it is: The heart and guts of your building.
Daily Must-Dos:

• Visual inspections—no obstructions, no storage.

• Temperature and humidity checks for sensitive equipment.

• Confirm panels are locked, labelled, and undamaged.
  Tips:

• Never allow tenant access (even “just to check the water meter”).

• Schedule professional inspections—don’t guess when it comes to breakers.

🚪 Other Common Spaces That Deserve Attention

• Mail Room: Sweep regularly, shred bin emptied, lost mail returned or logged.

• Hallways: Spot clean carpets, wipe down walls, clean light fixtures.

• Lobbies: Fingerprints off glass doors, mats vacuumed, plants alive.

• Elevators: Sanitize buttons, mirrors, and doors—daily.

• Storage Rooms: Check for abandoned items and unwanted guests (rodents or otherwise).

🧼 How to Keep Them All Looking Great (Even with Tenants In Them)

• Set expectations early. Clear signage is your best friend. “Wipe it, don’t walk away from it” can go a long way.

• Document cleaning routines. Not just for inspections—also for accountability.

• Keep supplies visible but controlled. If tenants see your cleaning team regularly working, it sets a tone.

• Be consistent. A pristine gym one day and a disaster the next? Not a good look.

• Respond quickly to tenant concerns—they’re your eyes and ears in every corner. (Well, sometimes they’re just noses.)

Final Word:
Managing common areas isn’t just about floors and filters—it’s about creating shared spaces people respect. Because when a gym smells like eucalyptus and not defeat, when the party room sparkles after the party, and when laundry machines don’t look like they’ve been through a soap opera, it shows.

And when it doesn’t? Well... that's when your to-do list gets longer.

Welcome to life behind the doors—and in front of the janitor closet.