Cleaners - is this normal practice?

[FeelingLucky]

I've had a recommendation for a cleaner, so phoned her up and she asked if I would pay for her travel expenses - basically, tube fare across London.
Is this normal practice?
I've had cleaners in the past and nobody has ever asked this before.
I also used to be a cleaner post-Uni days and I never charged for petrol or travel.

[starbear]

No! Was she/he recommended by a friend?

[pagwatch]

no. very odd. Does she not want the work?

[DesperateHousewifeToo]

No, I'm in London and have never been asked to do this or heard of anyone doing this.

How much is she charging per hour?

[EldonAve]

no
my cleaners travel across town, I don't pay fares on top of their hourly fees

did someone local to you recommend her?

[FeelingLucky]

Thanks for the replies, I thought I was going mad for a while!
Was recommended by someone in a local Parents Group in response to an email I sent out.
Charging £8/hour, which I'm okay with, but I flatly refused to pay travel expenses. Then she demanded to know my address and said she'd call back to let me know whether she wanted the job or not.
Think I'll steer well clear of her.

If any of you lot can recommend a cleaner who will do kitchen floor on hands and knees and dust without chemical spray cleaners, I'd be most grateful.
I'm in Tufnell Park / Holloway

[boogeek]

I used to pay travel expenses for my cleaner when I lived in Tokyo but I've never heard of it in the UK. Is she British?

[DesperateHousewifeToo]

£8/hour sounds fine. It's what I pay.

If she has attitude already, I agree that I would stay clear of her too.

Sorry, not in your area so can't recommend anyone.

[Wheelybug]

My cleaner travels across london and I don't pay travel expenses (but then her cousin used to clean for me who lives locally and she took over so it wasn't my choice IYSWIM) but wouldn't have thought this was normal.

[MrsMattie]

No.

[fillybuster]

I've got a lovely cleaner who I would definitely recommend and who is looking for more work at the moment. She does my (slate, so really annoying) kitchen floor with a scrubbing brush and would certainly give dusting without chemicals a go if you discussed it with her. I think she can get to you...do you want to CAT me and I'll give you her details. FWIW I have paid bus fare in addition to cleaning fees in the past (ie an additional £2 or so, but only when someone has done me a favour - eg stepping in to cover for a friend or some extra work etc.)

[abraid]

I had to pay travel expenses some years ago. Or a contribution. THat was in London and I thought it was a bit odd but wasn't in a position to argue the toss.

[FeelingLucky]

Thanks Fillybuster. WIll try and work out how to CAT and will hopefully be in touch soon.

[BoffinMum]

Tell her yes but you would have to inform the Inland Revenue of the arrangement!

No, seriously, I would not touch her.

[Blondeshavemorefun]

i think it is cheeky and would never pay travel

but

my friend pays her cleaners taxi fare of £10 from station to her house each day and then drops her to station twice a week

i told her to get a cleaner who can drive/use public transport

[Clattered]

Bloody Hell.

She's asking you to pay her fares to work.
I'd tell her where to shove her squeegee, personally. Worra fuckin' liberty!