Every commercial property in New Zealand faces the same pressures: coastal weather, UV, foot traffic and the compliance expectations of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Building Act 2004. A written preventative maintenance schedule keeps small issues small, preserves asset value at revaluation, and gives tenants a building they want to renew in.
Use the checklist below as a starting point for a quarterly and annual programme. Adapt frequencies to your site's exposure, occupancy and use class.
1. Exterior washing & building envelope
Wellington's salt-laden southerlies, UV and rain drive premature wear on cladding, joinery and glazing. A scheduled wash cycle protects finishes, extends repaint intervals and keeps kerb appeal high for tenants and buyers.
Quarterly
- Soft-wash cladding, soffits and fascia to remove salt, grime and organic growth
- Water-blast entryways, loading bays and high-traffic hardstand
- Clean external glazing, frames and signage at ground level
- Clear gutters, downpipes and sumps ahead of winter rain
- Inspect and clean pram / accessibility ramps and matting
Annual
- Full building wash including upper-level glazing and cladding
- Moss and lichen treatment on roofs, tiles and shaded elevations
- Reseal exposed joinery and check weatherstripping
- Line-mark refresh for carparks, loading zones and pedestrian crossings
2. Grounds, gardens & carparks
Grounds are the first thing visitors, tenants and prospective buyers see. Consistent presentation signals a well-run asset and reduces slip, trip and pest risks that create liability under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Quarterly
- Mow, edge and tidy all lawn areas and berms
- Weed, mulch and prune garden beds and hedging
- Blow and sweep carparks, footpaths and entry courts
- Check and top up bark, stone and planting where thin
- Inspect fences, bollards, bike racks and external furniture
Annual
- Deep prune trees; remove dead or overhanging branches near buildings and walkways
- Test and service irrigation and outdoor tap points
- Refresh seasonal planting for winter and summer
- Audit external lighting, timers and photocells for safe egress after dark
3. Building repairs & interior upkeep
Small faults compound. A quarterly repair sweep catches minor issues while they're still cheap and keeps common areas presentable, compliant and safe for occupants.
Quarterly
- Inspect and touch up interior paint in lobbies, corridors and stairwells
- Check door hardware, closers, hinges and access control
- Test emergency lighting, exit signage and evacuation routes
- Inspect plumbing fixtures, tapware and shared kitchen / bathroom areas
- Log and triage tenant maintenance requests against a preventative schedule
Annual
- Full interior repaint programme for high-wear areas
- Check and repair concrete surfaces, kerbs and hardstands
- Deep-clean and re-strip / seal hard floors
- Review building warrant of fitness (BWOF) items with your IQP
Why preventative maintenance protects property value
Deferred maintenance shows up in valuations, insurance renewals and tenant retention. A documented programme demonstrates active management to insurers and lenders, reduces reactive callouts, and keeps operating costs predictable across the year.
It also underpins your health & safety duties as a PCBU: identifying and controlling hazards before they cause harm, and keeping records that show you did.
Want us to run this programme for you?
Freshabitat delivers scheduled maintenance for commercial properties across Wellington and New Zealand, with one contact, one schedule, one report.