As high-rise living continues to expand across South East Queensland, responsibility for external maintenance is a frequent point of confusion. One of the most common issues is high-rise window cleaning and determining whether the responsibility falls to the landlord, tenant or body corporate (strata). In most cases, the answer depends on the building structure, by-laws and whether the issue relates to common property or an individual lot within a strata scheme.

Window cleaning as part of body corporate (strata) maintenance  

In strata-titled buildings, external window cleaning is typically classified as common property maintenance, meaning the body corporate is responsible for arranging and funding regular cleaning as part of an ongoing maintenance plan or sinking fund budget.

Across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, this responsibility is particularly important due to coastal and subtropical conditions. High humidity, storms and salt exposure all contribute to rapid build-up on glass, balustrades and façades, making regular professional cleaning essential to maintain building appearance and asset value.

Landlord vs tenant vs body corporate responsibility 

Tenants are responsible for maintaining the internal cleanliness of their apartments, but they are not expected, nor permitted under workplace health and safety regulations, to undertake external high-rise window cleaning.

External cleaning must be carried out by qualified professional high-rise window cleaners using compliant height safety systems, such as rope access or elevated work platforms, in accordance with Queensland safety regulations.

When a landlord may be responsible 

There are situations where responsibility may fall back to the landlord if the issue is isolated to a single apartment rather than affecting the entire building. This can include localised bird droppings, staining or residue from nearby exhaust vents, mould or discolouration caused by building defects or water ingress, or construction dust impacting only one section of the property. In these cases, the issue may go beyond routine body corporate window cleaning and instead be treated as a maintenance or defect matter requiring investigation by the property manager and, where appropriate, rectification by the landlord.

Managing body corporate expectations, access and disputes 

Where specialist access is required, a rope access company will provide safe, compliant façade cleaning services for both residential and commercial strata buildings. Rope access methods allow technicians to safely reach difficult or hazardous areas without scaffolding or disruptive infrastructure.

In practice, many disputes arise in strata buildings when window cleaning responsibilities are not clearly defined, or when residents expect more frequent cleaning than what is budgeted by the body corporate. These disputes are typically resolved by reviewing maintenance schedules and the scope of common property obligations under the scheme. Clear communication between the body corporate committee, property managers and residents is key to preventing ongoing issues.