What cleaning and room turnover routines should I look at in a meeting space?

Ask to see the checklists first. Do they cover tables, chairs, screens, cables, washrooms, refreshments and the first impression at the door? Then ask who is on shift for each task and what happens when two bookings sit back to back. Tight schedules show weak spots quickly.

Spend time in the building during a changeover. Notice whether the team works from the list or from memory, how they handle left-behind items, and how a problem is passed along. Ask for incident notes, client complaints and any inspection reports that mention cleanliness. Check the supply room as well: stock levels, who orders, and whether the equipment is in good shape.

Finally, ask who trains new staff and how much of the process lives in someone’s head. If a lead cleaner holds all the know-how, think about how you would keep that person. Whatever you find, decide which routines you will keep and which you will change once you take over. Ask whether cleaning is done by employees or an outside crew, and read that arrangement if there is one. Look at how early rooms are reset before morning events and how late-night events are handled. Ask which complaints came up most often and what changed afterwards.

Key takeaways

• Watch a real turnover instead of relying on the checklist alone.
• Check who does each task and how staff confirm a room is ready.
• Find out how much know-how depends on one person.