Cheeky message from cleaner

[EllJ]

I recently hired a cleaner to do a good clean of the bathrooms and a general hoover and dust round. She seemed nice enough and I thought she seemed trustworthy so we agreed to start her.
We had nothing but problems from the get go... she couldn't work the hoover, couldn't work the steam mop (despite being shown both more than once), didn't move things out of the way to hoover or dust around and just seemed to find a new problem each week. One week, the bathrooms were ignored completely as she "forgot her gloves", despite being told they were our absolute number 1 priority and that she just had to ask for any cleaning materials she wanted/needed.
Anyway, after giving it three weeks in the hope she'd settle in and then receiving a particularly cheeky note after the last clean, we decided not to continue with her. My DH sent a polite and to the point message explaining that we won't need her anymore and can she please return our key.
She has just sent back an incredibly rude message insulting the cleanliness of our home! I'm absolutely fuming and having to really hold back sending a rude message in return, which i know is the wrong thing to do.
Aibu to ask if anyone can help with a well worded message to send in return explaining that the specific items she has complained about being dirty were actually things we were paying her to clean!

Sorry for long post

I always make sure the toilet isn't in a mess before the cleaner arrives and I also tidy away things so she can clean.

(not that the toilet is ever a mess- well except when I've chucked toilet cleaner dien it and then dh decides to use it and can't see if it's clean dye to the bubbles he says, and leaves it like Heathrow runway)! So I always check it before I leave for work on cleaner's day!

Down due (darn phone)

@BoffinMum honestly, the sheer cheek of it! You've got to admire her gall if nothing else

Boffin, I think your nanny is right. Get an aupair but get rid of the nanny.

Yes, I was a bit amazed actually. It came hot on the heels of her asking if our cleaner’s hours could be increased (cleaner is only supposed to do the really big stuff, four hours a week).

I think some folk have an extremely unrealistic idea of how everyone else earns their money. Sometimes work is a bit messy or uncomfortable, or you don’t feel like doing it. But you have to take pride in the job regardless IMVHO.

Boffin I'm impressed you have a full time nanny housekeeper and a weekly cleaner. I wonder what the housekeeper is doing all day while your dc is at school?

Get your locks changed asap

SoupDragon: Forget the key and change the lock.

I would do this. Don't engage at all with this person. Don't dwell on her insult just focus on your good decision to replace her. Good luck finding a more professional cleaner who can communicate with you in a professional manner.

The key has been returned! Along with a 'refund' of £6 for the small overpayment on hour hourly rate she has on each visit. The refund consisted of a £5 note and a stack of coppers

I've had the door locked and bolted from the inside and have used another door whilst out. I'll continue that until the locksmith comes on Wednesday.

There was also a note, throwing the same insults and insulting my DHs attitude

I'm angry all over again but just glad we're rid of her. Crazy lady!

I wonder why she would still want to offend you? Don't get upset, she obviously is a miserable soul to be still trying to continue to upset you in this way.

Don't play the game, it's just a crazy person going bananas, it could be at anyone at all at this point I think.

She’s with an agency but continues to strop like a teenager?! Bloody hell. I’d just send everything to the agency and say this is what you’ve got on your books.

I too would forward the latest note to the agency. They need to know that she continues to be unprofessional and they would not want that on their books.

Wow I hadn't spotted she was working for someone else! Yes they absolutely need to know about this behaviour.

They must not send her to any other clients!

We had this once too. Would recommend getting your key back and not engaging with her - there’s little point

Yeah absolutely letting the agency know about this. She seems to be barking mad!

She must have actually went out of her way to get that cash changed to coppers. Who has the time for such pettiness?!

She's nuts. Yes, do let the agency have her note. They will want to know, I'm sure.

I’m glad you got the key back and I would definitely inform the agency.

Why did you offer to give her materials to clean your house? Surely she should have brought those with her.

Dear xxxx

Your cleaning contract that was terminated by ourselves on xxxx., where the duties were to include cleaning the bathrooms and dust throughout the household.

Additional training was given in use of tools too assist with the cleaning, such as the steam cleaner and hover. However, in light of this and forgetting a basic requirement of gloves the above contract was held up yourself. After three weeks of unsatisfactory service, we have deemed the contract not worth the expense.

In leu of your comments about the cleanliness of our house, we will refer that you were tasked with cleaning the house and fell short of this in almost every aspect. A cleaning contract was given in the hope to make life a little easier for ourselves not expect to find the cleaning had fallen seriously short of the standard required.

Quite honestly, in my increasingly extensive experience, having a cleaner is more hassle than it's worth!

Hibble, washing and ironing and cooking a simple supper (e.g. spag bol). Sometimes a top-up shop or a dry cleaning run. Occasionally opens curtains and makes the beds (not every day, she forgets/can't be bothered/says she has't time), changes the kids' sheets and washes them, cleans their rooms and bathroom superficially and rather reluctantly once a week (usually telling me off because she thinks the kids haven't done enough) and once a month does a deeper dust and hoover if I really insist. When she's on holiday I do these things and it takes me about 2-3 hours a day to a significantly higher standard. I think time management isn't her strong point.

boffin I'm surprised that these tasks take you 2-3 hours a day. Do you have a lot of children? I couldn't imagine spending so long on housework.

If it isn't working out with the full time nanny housekeeper, why not find a different arrangement?