A seminar was held to exchange experiences from participants on maintenance issues and attempt to define a common approach to the formulation of adequate and realistic maintenance policies and strategies. This paper discusses the major themes and conclusions from the seminar whose topics were structured around the knowledge of building stock, assessing needs and priorities, budgeting, programming, and organization and control. An action plan based upon the strategic thinking noted in the paper is also discussed. Appendices include a review of the issues discussed, an example of a Society of Chief Architects of Local Authorities Maintenance Survey and explanatory notes, extracts from the Carnet D'Identite and Carnet D'Entretien and an example of a summary sheet in use in Belgium, and an example from England of instructions for carrying out a condition survey. (GR)