Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask whether the council cleans the outside of your windows ever?

101 replies

TiesThatBindMe · 27/09/2017 13:45

I'm in a first floor council flat and the outside of my windows are filthy. It would probably cost me my life's savings to pay for a window cleaner with his ladders etc. to clean them. I'm just wondering whether anyone knows whether the council ever gets window cleaners out?

OP posts:
Subtlecheese · 27/09/2017 13:46

It's more likely to be owned by a housing association. Can't you call and ask?

Original poster
TiesThatBindMe · 27/09/2017 13:46

And by filthy, I mean filthy! Bird shit and airborne debris from main road beside me.

OP posts:
Original poster
TiesThatBindMe · 27/09/2017 13:48

I thought I'd ask here before I rang the council and was laughed at.

OP posts:
GlitteryFluff · 27/09/2017 13:52

I lived in a third floor council flat for 7 years, now in a first floor flat for almost 2.
Nope, never had a council window cleaner.
It shouldn't cost a fortune as it's the same for someone in a house needing their upstairs Windows cleaned no?
We couldn't find anyone when we were 3rd floor but haven't tried since being in first floor. I just clean them myself with a sponge and squeegee on a long stick, leaning out of window.

user1471596238 · 27/09/2017 13:52

Why would you be laughed at OP? As reasonable questions go, this ranks pretty high.

SloanePeterson · 27/09/2017 13:53

Getting first floor windows cleaned really won't cost the earth. I highly doubt the council has the money to pay for cleaning every tenants windows.

navyshoes · 27/09/2017 13:53

I live in a council flat (owned by the council not a HA) and they never clean the outside windows at all. I just sort of reach out of the window and do the outside panes with a pole (we're on the first floor).

pigsDOfly · 27/09/2017 13:55

Most window cleaners where I live don't use ladders any more. They have those long brushes with water coming out of them.

I know nothing about about councils and their responsibilities regarding windows so probably shouldn't voice my opinion, but tbh I'd be pretty amazed if they did clean windows.

Original poster
TiesThatBindMe · 27/09/2017 13:57

Well just off the phone and they don't. How much are we talking then? One of the windows is above a roof of another flat? Would it be cheaper to buy a ladder?

OP posts:
Original poster
TiesThatBindMe · 27/09/2017 13:58

I could try hanging out risking my life with and extendable pole.

OP posts:
TobleroneBoo · 27/09/2017 13:59

My window cleaner uses a pole, no ladders required

bettycat81 · 27/09/2017 14:01

You can get magnetic window cleaners... a bit like those used in fishtanks.

CuteOrangeElephant · 27/09/2017 14:03

I live in a maisonette and it costs me 10 quid to have my windows cleaned... this includes the first and second floor.

Paid 50 quid the first time for gutter and window cleaning, now they will come every 5-6 weeks just for the windows.

PollyFlint · 27/09/2017 14:06

It won't cost a fortune to get first floor windows cleaned! They might not even use a ladder, just extendable poles. It's no different from cleaning upstairs windows on a house.

I get all my windows cleaned, including the first floor ones, for £6 a time. He comes every four weeks.

ShotsFired · 27/09/2017 14:06

@TiesThatBindMe I could try hanging out risking my life with and extendable pole.

What do you think everyone else does?

rizlett · 27/09/2017 14:07

Get together with some of your neighbours and ask for a quote from a window cleaner - got to be the cheapest way.

You'll probably be amazed at how you feel once they are all shiny and clean.

OOAOML · 27/09/2017 14:10

Presume you don't have tilt and turn windows so can't clean them from within your flat? In our old tenement flat (couldn't tilt the windows) we got a window cleaner who does 'reach and wash' (as others have said, it is basically a brush attached to a hose pipe) and he cleaned them from ground level. Just phone up, say how many windows and ask how much. Although I'd assume a window cleaner would have ladders that would reach to first floor.

yodelehoho · 27/09/2017 14:20

I'm shocked that anyone would expect the council to do this for them. Crikey.

Notevilstepmother · 27/09/2017 14:21

Most window cleaners do the upstairs of a house so I don't see how yours is going to be expensive?!

PinkHeart5913 · 27/09/2017 14:23

I can imagine the council paying for your windows to be cleaned tbh I mean why would they.

I can't see it costing the earth, why not contact a few local window cleaners and get a quote for a one of clean? Surely a first floor flat isn't much higher than a house anyway

PinkHeart5913 · 27/09/2017 14:23

*Can't

x2boys · 27/09/2017 14:24

Pretty sure the housing association clean the flats opposite where I live windows they also mow the communal garden they don't clean my windows as I live in a house(housing association) or mow my garden obviously .

yorkshireyummymummy · 27/09/2017 14:24

Taking aside that I am utterly amazed that anybody would think for one second that the council would clean their windows for them i think the best advice is to see if your neighbours want theirs doing too and you could phone a couple of window cleaners and ask them to price for the job en masse. Have you never had your windows cleaned before to know how much it costs?

Herschellmum · 27/09/2017 14:26

Surely the council don't clean windows do they? It's just something everyone either has to do themselves or pay someone to do. Usually about £10.

INeedToEat · 27/09/2017 14:27

Open the window from the inside and stick your arm out. Thought everyone did this ?