The appearance of open spaces and outdoor communal areas play an important part in how you feel about your neighbourhood. We are committed to keeping open spaces and communal areas attractive, clean and safe and delivering value in your service charges.

This page explains what is covered in the grounds maintenance service. The service is for communal outdoor spaces in general needs and independent living homes.

Grass Cutting

Grass will be cut over 16 visits from mid-March to the end of November. At each visit all litter will be removed from the area prior to cutting and all grass cuttings will be lifted. As part of our commitment to responsible environmental practices, cuttings may be composted in agreed locations when cutting is complete, if possible.

Hard Surfaces

These include pavements, pathways, communal areas, and car parks owned by Clanmil. During the growing season, which is from April to November, weeds will be treated by spraying, and litter will be removed regularly.

Maintenance of Shrub Beds

Maintenance of shrub beds is carried out at the same time as grass cutting. The beds will be weeded and hoed, and litter will be removed. Shrubs will be pruned to control overall size, shape and growth habits of the shrubs. 

Grass Maintenance

General grass is maintained from December to mid-March. The grass is not cut during this time, but may be edged. Litter will also be removed from grass.

Tree Maintenance

Trees form an important part of habitat and our environment. Tree surgery is generally only carried out where required. If you have any concerns about tree health or growth, please report to your Assets Officer. If necessary, we will ask a tree surgeon to assess.

Leaves 

The management of autumn leaf fall will vary at each site. During visits, contractors will blow leaves from paths. They may also collect large quantities of leaves and dispose of them similiarly to grass cuttings. 

Communal Areas

Internal and external communal areas owned by Clanmil will be inspected once every two months by our Housing and Asset Officers. The inspections are carried out to ensure that our grounds are in good condition, and allows us to identify any potential hazards or required repairs.

Play Areas

Play areas owned by Clanmil are inspected monthly by our Assets Team. An annual safety and condition check is also carried out by a play park consultant.

Hedge Cutting

Hedge cutting will include seasonal pruning and shaping of hedges and shrubs. Hedges will be faced and topped. This is generally done September to November. Cuttings will be removed on the same day. As part of our commitment to responsible environmental practices, these may be composted on site where appropriate.

Summer Planting

Clanmil will support customers to participate in gardening through our annual gardening competition, Clanmil in Bloom. Our contractor or Assets Officer can also provide advice for any customers who wish to enhance communal outdoor spaces where they live. 

Customer Responsibilities

Customers are responsible for their own garden. Ground conditions can vary, depending on soil and location of gardens. Customers are responsible for creating and managing their garden depending on their needs and the prevailing soil conditions. Customers can prepare their gardens with a lawn, plants, ground cover or hard surfaces as they choose. Clanmil is only responsible for communal grounds. 

Environmental Strategy 2024-29 

As part of our environmental strategy, we want the places where homes are located to be managed in a way that is sensitive to the environment, supporting habitat and biodiversity. We will consider this in our grounds maintenance contracts and where we develop new homes.  

Setting the Standards 

Our grounds maintenance standards were developed by resident feedback, along with results from the customer satisfaction survey and the customer Service Improvement Panel (SIP) review in 2023. Learning from complaints about the service was also considered. We will work with our grounds maintenance contractor to ensure all  work in the contract is carried out.

Site Audits

Site audits are carried out by your Assets Officer, our contractor, scheme colleagues and any customer who wishes to be involved. Each year, we will write to you about your annual service charge, which will include details of the grounds maintenance service. 
 

Click here to view and download a PDF of the Grounds Maintenance booklet.

Contact us

If you have any concerns suggestions or feedback on your grounds maintenance service, we want to hear from you. 
Phone us on 028 9087 6000 
Email grounds@clanmil.org.uk.