The Ultimate Grounds Maintenance Checklist for UK Commercial Properties (2026 Guide)

Here's your season-by-season guide to keeping your commercial premises looking professional and compliant in the UK climate in 2026.

🌸 Spring (March – May)

Focus: Recovery from winter, preparation for growth

• ✅ Lawn treatment (fertilising and scarifying)

• ✅ Hedge cutting and pruning before bird nesting season (ends 1 March – 31 July, exceptions apply)

• ✅ Leaf and debris clearance from hard surfaces

• ✅ Weed control and edging along paths and borders

• ✅ Pressure washing walkways and entrances

• ✅ Tree inspections (storm damage, safety risks)

👉 Pro Tip: Spring is the perfect time to assess damage from winter storms and reset your landscaping plan with help from our professional landscaping services.

☀️ Summer (June – August)

Focus: Presentation, mowing frequency, pest control

• ✅ Weekly grass mowing and edge trimming

• ✅ Shrub and hedge trimming (within legal limits)

• ✅ Irrigation checks — prevent dry patches or flooding

• ✅ Weed prevention (spot-treat problem areas)

• ✅ Mulching flower beds to retain moisture

• ✅ Insect and pest control (e.g., ant nests, wasp infestations)

👉 Pro Tip: Schedule early morning or late afternoon work to avoid heat stress on lawns and staff.

🍂 Autumn (September – November)

Focus: Leaf clearance, preparing for winter

• ✅ Regular leaf blowing and collection (prevent slip hazards)

• ✅ Gutter and drain clearance to avoid water damage

• ✅ Final lawn treatments (aeration, reseeding, feed)

• ✅ Last hedge trims before winter dormancy

• ✅ Winter planting for seasonal beds or low-maintenance areas

👉 Pro Tip: Autumn prep helps minimise emergency call-outs. Talk to us about setting up a seasonal grounds maintenance plan for your property.

❄️ Winter (December – February)

Focus: Safety, structural integrity, downtime prep

• ✅ Gritting pathways and car parks during frost/snow

• ✅ Checking and clearing snow loads from trees

• ✅ Tree surgery for damaged limbs or deadwood

• ✅ Fence and gate inspections

• ✅ Machinery maintenance and tool servicing

👉 Pro Tip: Winter is a great time to plan for hardscape updates or soft landscaping improvements.

📋 Monthly Maintenance Essentials (All Year)

• ✅ Litter picking and waste disposal

• ✅ Inspection of signage and site boundaries

• ✅ Pest checks (especially rodents near bin areas)

• ✅ Reporting vandalism or damage

• ✅ Safety audits (especially in public-access spaces)

Rileys GM offers these tasks as part of our regular grounds maintenance contracts for commercial properties.

⚖️ UK Legal & Safety Considerations

Commercial property managers in the UK must meet several health and safety obligations:

• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 – ensures safe access, cleanliness, and maintenance of outdoor work environments.

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – restricts hedge trimming during bird nesting seasons.

• Duty of care – you're legally obligated to keep public-facing areas safe from hazards (e.g., slips, overgrowth, or icy paths).

👉 Avoid fines and insurance claims by keeping your grounds properly maintained and documented by a fully insured commercial grounds team.

🤔 DIY vs. Hiring a Grounds Maintenance Contractor

While internal teams can handle basic upkeep, many commercial sites require professional equipment, experience, and compliance knowledge.

Benefits of outsourcing to Rileys GM:

• Qualified grounds operatives with full training and PPE

• Scheduled, reliable year-round service

• One point of contact for all external maintenance

• Tailored plans to suit property type and budget

• Fully insured and compliant with UK health & safety law

We support a wide range of industries with scalable grounds maintenance services.

✅ Ready to Simplify Your Grounds Maintenance?

Let Rileys Grounds Maintenance handle your outdoor spaces so you can focus on running your business. From routine care to seasonal preparation, our team ensures your premises remain safe, professional, and well-maintained throughout 2026.

📞 Contact us today for a free site visit and tailored maintenance quote.