Grounds maintenance
Keeping our communal grounds clean, tidy and well maintained is the responsibility of our in-house Property Care Grounds Maintenance team.
They have set out a clear service standard for their week, along with a schedule of when this work will be completed, which can depend on the season and suitable weather conditions.
Grassing cutting news
Due to the ongoing unseasonal wet weather, our grounds maintenance team colleagues are currently not able to carry out planned grass cutting to communal areas, as the ground is completely saturated making it too wet to mow.
When the weather improves and the ground dries out the team will resume cutting, so please do not report this issue to us. Our team will continue to carry out other scheduled tasks as outlined below.
Our Grounds Maintenance Service
Grass cutting
In a new, greener approach, the team will be cutting and mulching grass. Mulching is where grass cuttings are recycled and returned to the turf in the form of tiny fragments of grass. These recycled fragments then act as protective ‘mulch’ and help to conserve soil moisture, prevent weed growth and moderate soil temperature.
Grass edging
All grass edgings to lawns, beds and borders, along with areas around trees and buildings will be trimmed and edged to the same height as the mowed grass.
Hedges and shrubs
All hedges and shrubs will be kept tidy, pruned or cut to maintain a neat line and definition and to remove any health and safety obstruction. Under the Wildlife & Country Act 1981, we are unable to cut hedges between March and July, or beyond that time if there is visible evidence of nesting birds.
Weed control
All hard standing areas and planted beds will be inspected and spot treatments applied where required.
Litter picking
All hard surfaces, beds and borders will be inspected and any litter removed.
Yearly schedule of works
Month | Grass cutting and edging | Hedges and shrubs | Weed control | Litter picking |
January |
| J | J | J |
February |
| J | J | J |
March | J* |
| J | J |
April | J |
| J | J |
May | J |
| J | J |
June | J |
| J | J |
July | J |
| J | J |
August | J | J** | J | J |
September | J | J** | J | J |
October | J | J | J | J |
November | J* | J | J | J |
December |
| J | J | J |
*subject to requirements **subject to nesting
Seasonal and weather permitting tasks!
As you will see from the work schedule, a number of tasks are completed by our Grounds Maintenance team throughout the year, whilst others are dependent on the season and suitable weather conditions. For example, we cannot cut grass if the ground is too wet.
Grounds maintenance FAQs
We have created some frequently asked questions and answers to help you find out more about our grounds maintenance service.
Unfortunately, this is not a service we can offer.
Communal areas are maintained by our grounds maintenance team only.
Platform is responsible for maintaining trees on our communal land, to ensure that they do not pose a health and safety risk to members of the public. If you are concerned about a tree in a customer garden, please contact your local housing officer.
We provide a cut and mulch service grass cutting service.
Mulching is where grass cuttings are recycled and returned to the turf in the form of tiny fragments of grass. These recycled fragments then act as protective ‘mulch’ and help to conserve soil moisture, prevent weed growth and moderate soil temperature.
Any cuttings on hard surfaces will be swept or blown back onto the grass.
Yes, we take it to an approved waste recycling centre.
Please contact us to discuss your request before making any purchases. It's something we may give permission for, but we must consider the ongoing care and maintenance.
Yes, we try to remove all litter before we start but if we do cut some up, it will be removed so the area is left clean and tidy.
Please call or email our contact centre - you can find their contact details here.
Alternatively, you can speak to your local Estate Inspector, if you have one in your area.
Platform do not own all of the grassed areas on every estate.
Some may be owned by your local County or District Council or is maintained by your Town or Parish Council.
Want to help us improve your communal areas?
Our Estate Inspectors are a team of volunteer customers who act as our eyes and ears on the ground and let us know about any issues so that we can work together to put them right.
You can find out more about our Estate Inspector role and how to register using the link below.