Maintenance and repairs

Identifying Maintenance and Repairs

• Housekeeping staff play a crucial role in spotting potential repair needs in guest rooms and common areas.
• Issues to look out for include malfunctioning appliances, leaks, faulty locks or windows, dampness or mould, and loose fixtures or fittings.
• The sooner these issues can be identified, the less disruptive they are likely to be to guests’ stays.

Reporting Maintenance and Repairs

• When a maintenance or repair issue is identified, it should be reported immediately to the relevant department or personnel, such as maintenance staff or a manager.
• Depending on the hotel’s procedure, this might involve filling out a maintenance request or defect report.
• The report should include detailed information about the issue, including what the problem is, its location, and how urgent the repair is.
• Regular communication between departments can help ensure these issues are handled in a timely and effective manner.

Carrying Out Basic Maintenance and Repairs

• While most significant repairs will be carried out by maintenance staff or external contractors, housekeeping staff can be expected to perform some basic maintenance tasks.
• This might include tasks such as changing light bulbs, tightening loose screws, replacing batteries, or fixing minor leaks.
• However, any maintenance work carried out should be within the limits of the staff’s training and abilities; safety should always be the highest priority.

Disruption to Guests

• In the event that a repair needs to be carried out while a room is occupied, every effort should be made to minimise disruption to the guest.
• Where possible, repairs should be carried out when the guest is out, or else they should be respectfully asked if there is a convenient time for the work to be done.
• In some cases, it may be necessary to move the guest to another room while the repair is carried out.
• In all situations, guests should be kept informed about what is happening and given an estimate of how long it will take.

Preventative Maintenance

• Regular inspections and preventative maintenance can help identify potential issues before they become larger problems.
• This includes regular checks of electrical appliances, plumbing, structural elements, and other equipment.
• Keeping rooms and facilities in good condition can help improve guest satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of major repair works being necessary in the future.