Hired the local village hall for a birthday party tomorrow. Is it generally expected/courtious to give it a light clean before handling the keys back?

[lynnepot]

So we have Hired the local village hall for a birthday party tomorrow. We've been in today to set up. We found a note for us requesting before we leave to switch the lights and heating off and close the windows. There is nothing asking for any cleaning to done. My mum said its probably curtious to clean down the kitchen surfaces, the toilets, empty the bins and sweep the floor before we hand the keys back. Would you say that is so from previous experience of hiring your local hall?

Yes!

Yes, definitely, why wouldn't you?!

I'd leave it as I found it.

Yes! Not the toilets other than a quick tidy but leave it as you found it.

Of course, you leave it how you found it.

You clean up first. Wipe down tables, sweep up crap and take all the rubbish out. I stack the chairs if they're stacked already.

Have you been told that the fee includes cleaning? If not, I would expect to leave it how I found it.

I wouldn't clean the toilets but I would clean and tidy the main hall including hoovering and the kitchen if you used it.

Yes as your Mum says, and please take your rubbish with you if you can.

As everyone else has said, leave it as you found it.

I always leave halls pretty much as I find them - there's usually a T&Cs notice up on a board somewhere that includes leaving it clean and tidy and checking toilets are flushed, windows shut and other general housekeeping points - although you can leave rubbish bins full etc.

I wouldn't do the toilets unless kids had left it in a state. Just a courteous check no rubbish lying around.

I would tidy an mess I had made yes. Anymore than that no.
If you use the kitchen, wipe it down. If the kids throw food on the floor sweep it up etc. I wouldn't clean toilets but wouldn't leave them in an awful state either.

Obviously I would have tidied up generally any wrapping paper and rubbish etc but just wondered if actual cleaning of the kitchen and toilets is over and above what is generally expected? Or if that would be taken care within the price we have paid?

It's expected, I'd imagine you've only paid a nominal fee really rather than a small fortune? Therefore it's usually very DIY

You need to ask the hall if you can't see it in the Hire T&C. Our local hall expects a full clean after events, including hoovering and floor mopping etc. Basically you are expected to leave it as you find it.

Some halls however, charge a higher fee which includes cleaning, but even then they expect you to clear up after yourself.

Of course!

If you are using the kitchen, then I would tidy and wipe over the surfaces. Not a deep clean.

Similarly, in the main hall, tidy up rubbish etc, and give it a sweep.

Wouldn’t clean the toilets (although would check they aren’t a real mess).

yes.
wipe all tables and put them back.
take your rubbish home with you.
give the hall a sweep.

and don't forget to take loo roll and handsoap for the toilets.

The village halls near us charge minimum and expect to be left as found.

I help with the care taking of our local hall.
Yes, definitely clean up all of your mess, there may be another event on soon after yours.
We also ask that the users take home their rubbish as we pay to get our rubbish removed.
I have a special dislike of the little girly parties where people hire party planners who delight in using a ton of glitter and chuck it everywhere.
The old dears in the knitting club leave sparkling weeks later.
No amount of brushing, hoovering or mopping can get rid of it.
Don’t expect others to clean your mess, it’s rude.

Yes! Why wouldn't you!?

I would leave it as I found it and probably cleaner

But I am the poster who got laughed at for stripping beds in hotel rooms before I leave so you may want to take my opinion with a pinch of salt! 😂

We have had mums leave, rubbish neatly in bin bags next to bins, only to find foxes have spread it into the next borough. These halls tend to be run by volunteers raising funds, so it is not much fun to clean up after foxes, or humans.

Absolutely. Don't need to clean the toilet, but yes to sweeping all floors, cleaning the kitchen surfaces, washing any crockery/cutlery used. Basically make it look like you've never been there, leave it as you found it.