Janitorial, Trash, Recycling, Plants, Pest & Facilities
Don't assume the landlord handles everything. Build a simple responsibility matrix and clear the "unknown" column first.
Janitorial, Trash, Recycling, Plants, Pest & Facilities
What this is
The recurring services that keep the space clean and functional: janitorial, trash and recycling (and compost), restroom and kitchen cleaning, plants, pest control, window cleaning, and how facilities issues get reported and fixed.
Why it matters
The most common mistake here is an assumption: that the landlord handles everything in your suite. Often they don’t. Clarify what the building covers, what the tenant covers, and what needs a separate vendor — before the trash starts piling up after move-in.
Who owns it
The workplace lead, working with the property manager and any facilities coordinator.
First 48-hour questions
- What does building janitorial cover, and what’s tenant responsibility?
- Who handles trash, recycling, compost, plants, pest control, and specialty cleaning?
- How are facilities issues reported?
What to confirm / set up
Build a simple responsibility matrix — landlord, tenant, vendor, or unknown — across:
- Building janitorial vs. in-suite cleaning
- Trash, recycling, and compost
- Restroom and kitchen cleaning
- Day porter needs, plant service, pest control, window cleaning
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) requests and facilities issue reporting
Unknown is the column to clear first — every unknown is a gap waiting to surface after opening.
Opening-critical vs. can-wait
Opening-critical: a clean space on day one, working trash/recycling, and a clear way to report issues. Can wait: plant service, window cleaning, and specialty programs — schedule them, but they don’t block the opening.
Common misses
- The tenant assumes the landlord handles in-suite service — and no one cleans the suite.
- Trash accumulates after the move with no pickup arranged.
- Restrooms/common areas get confused with suite responsibilities.
- There’s no ticketing or escalation path for facilities issues.
From open to great
Opening safely means the office is clean on day one. Great means it stays that way — cleanliness is experience, and a great office that degrades isn’t great:
- A spotless opening and a cadence that holds it — set the janitorial rhythm before day one, not after the first complaint.
- Daytime polish — a day porter keeps the kitchen and restrooms great through the busy afternoon, not just overnight.
- Plants and greenery that are actually maintained — they lift a space only if they’re alive.
This is the “stays great” pillar: the office you open is only as good as the rhythm that keeps it up. See Aim to Open Great.
Tools for this workstream
- Open-Item Tracker — build the responsibility matrix and clear unknowns.
- Hypercare Tracker — the issue-reporting path during opening week.
Terms you’ll hear
Day porter — on-site daytime upkeep for trash, kitchen, and common areas.