Which of the following is a major expense maintenance item for shopping centers?

Housekeeping and routine cleaning of common elements is a major expense maintenance item for shopping centers because these activities are essential for maintaining the overall appearance and functionality of the property. Shopping centers typically have shared areas such as parking lots, walkways, restrooms, and food courts, which require regular cleaning and upkeep to ensure a pleasant shopping environment for customers. Proper maintenance of these common areas not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the shopping center but also contributes to safety and compliance with health regulations.

Without dedicated resources and management for housekeeping, a shopping center could quickly deteriorate in appearance, potentially driving away customers and affecting the businesses operating within the center. Therefore, this expense is critical for the successful operation of shopping centers and is generally one of the largest cost items in their maintenance budgets.

On the other hand, while storage and inventory management, telecommunications infrastructure, and advertising costs are important to the overall operation of businesses within a shopping center, they are more closely tied to the individual retailers and not the maintenance of the shopping center itself. Maintenance expenses primarily focus on ensuring the property remains clean, safe, and attractive for all tenants and visitors.