Strata complexes should be inspected at regular intervals to identify deterioration and required maintenance work – such as cleaning and painting, and attending to lighting and fire safety. Managing strata is multifaceted, involving many elements, across many parties. This checklist, though not exhaustive, provides a framework including items for consideration to support inspection maintenance plans.
Building Management System
- Cleaning and general maintenance interior and exterior
- Pest inspection
- Bird-proofing
- Common property external and internal. Please note, some common property may be within lots
- Electrical meter/switch boards
- Is the enclosure water tight?
- Does the electrical switchboard meet the demands of additional power draw without the risk of overheating? (Installation of split system air-conditioners increases draw upon power significantly)
- Can units be readily located/identified via the main point of entry egress onto the property?
- Are gas and water and electrical isolation valves and switches readily identifiable/located for each individual unit?
- Regular clearing of roof drainage systems/gutters
- Regular maintenance of sump pumps and basement drainage systems.
Dangerous goods – storage
- Paints
- Fuel
- Kerosene
- Diesel
- Petrol
- Paint thinner
- Primer
- Oil
- Glue
- Solvents
- Cleaning chemicals
- Dry cleaning chemicals
- Pool chemicals
- Unlawful, dumped goods.
Emergency Management
- Emergency contact list
- Building safety features
- Emergency Control Organisation
- Warden duties
- Evacuation procedures
- Stages of evacuation
- Site/floor plans
- Building security
- Checklists
Energy efficiency
- Embedded network and micro-grids
- Lighting
- Air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems
- Maintenance and replacement of globes
- Lifts
- Building external lighting
- Lighting in lobbies, stairs and hallways
- Hot water supply and circulation pumps
- Carpark ventilation
- Exhaust fans
- Pool and spa water filtration and pumps
- Security systems, doors and gates
- Pumps/fans
- Cold water supply (lift and pressure pumps)
Fire protection equipment
- Air conditioning systems
- Alarms
- Emergency lifts and lighting
- Emergency power supply
- Emergency warning systems
- Exit doors and exit signs
- Fire control centres
- Fire curtains and doors
- Fire detectors and alarm systems
- Fire extinguishers
- Fire hydrants
- Fire isolated stairs, passages, ramps
- Fire-rated materials
- Fire windows
- Mechanical ventilation
- Path of travel to exits
- Smoke detection alarms
- Smoke control systems
- Sprinkler systems
Gardening and grounds maintenance
- Duty to maintain and repair common property
- Boundary fencing
- Grounds including gardens/trees
Security
- Security access systems
- Perimeter protection
- Access and traffic management
- Parking
- Residents/visitors
- Line marking
- Vehicle impact risk (fences, low awnings etc.)
- Inspection to ensure strong bollards in place in front of gas tanks, water pumps etc
- Emergency management
- Internal security
- Systems management
- Security cameras
- Lighting
- Access and egress
- Elevator maintenance/upgrades
- Garage doors/security gates
- Doors
- Pool maintenance/safety
- Heating ventilation and air conditioning
- Pools and surrounds including fencing and gates
- Signage
Trip and slip hazards All internal and external areas
- Doors/thresholds/entrances
- Drainage/water run off
- Electrical wires
- Floor coverings i.e.tiles/carpet/timber/joins
- Floor levels/ridges
- Footpaths/driveways
- Furniture
- Gardens i.e. moss/vegetation/hazards
- Handrails
- Inclines/ramps
- Lifts
- Lighting
- Obstructions/obstacles
- Potholes and cracks
- Spills of liquid or solid material
- Step levels
- Stairways
- Storage areas
- Stormwater
- Surfaces ie dust or sand
- Wet to dry areas
Waste management
- Provision of separate storage and recycling spaces
- Provision of hard waste collection locations
- Provision of charity bins in waste rooms or car parks
- Managing cleaning subcontractors to ensure that waste is separated and appropriately disposed of
- Monitoring and reporting on waste performance
- Education for residents on waste efficiency
Water
- Water efficiency
- Building leak detection and management including balconies/ windows
- Plumbing
- Guttering, downpipes and roofing systems
- Stormwater run-off
Download the “Building Inspections and Maintenance Checklist” PDF here.
