A caretaker performs routine checks of the premises for security purposes, or the closing and opening of school premises or estate facilities like hall or recreational grounds, asking for identification at the gate to homes and buildings to avoid trespassers (see Reference 2). They make rounds of the premises and with the help of surveillance equipment such as CCTV, they check for abnormal or suspicious activity. They at times have to report some cases to the police.
Maintenance of the building and its environs is a role specific to caretakers, as well as clearing up litter in the environs, switching on and off the building lights at the appropriate times and ensuring public areas such as stairs or elevators in the building are clean (see Reference 1). The caretaker handles minor repairs in the building such as changing bulbs and fixing broken windows. However, in serious cases, they are allowed to call in professional help: plumbers, electricians and builders.
Caretakers are required to know the location of emergency doors, the first aid kit and emergency facilities such as the fire alarm. In case of emergencies such as fire, flooding or avalanche, they should direct people to exits or allow access into and from the buildings depending on the situation (See reference 2). Caretakers also handle incidences, such as broken elevators; when premises users get stuck in elevators, caretakers respond by contacting elevator maintenance firms and emergency services
A caretaker gets to interact with various groups of people, tenants, students, teachers, administrators and different professionals. Constant communication with these people creates a certain level of trust. This allows him to deal with complaints from the tenants on issues concerning the building and handle inquiries. He gives assistance and informed advice to the tenants on matters concerning the building and its premises (see Reference 3).