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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect holiday cottage to be cleaned during our stay?

85 replies

Uhohmummy · 15/07/2018 16:47

We’re renting a holiday house for 3 weeks this summer. The company we’re renting through has said sheets will be changed once a week but otherwise they don’t arrange any cleaning.
AIBU to expect the house to be cleaned once a week and clean towels to be provided? Presumably they would do this if there were 3 separate week-long lets so why not for a longer let? We’re not paying any less for 3 weeks in a row than we would for 3 separate weekly lets.

OP posts:
InfiniteSheldon · 15/07/2018 17:06

Offer to completely clear it of your stuff by 11 on the last day of each week and ask for it to be cleaned as it would normally woukd then move back in at two; everyone wins Grin

starlightmagic · 15/07/2018 17:06

As a former holiday let cleaner I would not clean a property with guests in. Solely for the fact if you move/touch possessions then you may be blamed for any damages/theft/losses. It’s not worth the risk!

Deux · 15/07/2018 17:06

I would expect cleaning and change of sheets and towels/tea towels.

If we have stayed for more than a week, this has always happened.

But these self catering threads often go a bit weird as there are some people who strip beds, scrub the place before leaving and so on.

Maybe I take it too literally as the only bit I want to do myself is the catering.

Original poster
Uhohmummy · 15/07/2018 17:06

Good point about the travel cot, Shotta.
We have a 5 month old and I think I’ll take our own as well as rental places tend to have awful ones.

OP posts:
DinoGreen · 15/07/2018 17:09

The Villa plus villa we stayed in last year for one week only had a midweek towel change and basic clean - it wasn’t a big deep clean but wiping down the kitchen and bathrooms, mopping the tiled floors. It was more than I expected in a week away.

Westiegirl3 · 15/07/2018 17:11

We've just got back from a 2 week stay in a self catering cottage, we had a cleaner come in after the 1st week and changed the bedding and swapped the towels over. We stay for 2 weeks in cottages every year, and this is the norm.

Sitranced · 15/07/2018 17:12

I wouldn't expect it unless I had pre-arranged and paid for that extra service.

fleshmarketclose · 15/07/2018 17:12

If we've stayed for two weeks we have been offered clean sheets and towels. Wouldn't want them to come round cleaning though.

ReadingRiot · 15/07/2018 17:14

I was surprised when we booked for two weeks that it wasn't cleaned, especially as there was no reduction for the second week. I was tempted to move out and book the one next door!

It seems common practice though.

Wildlingofthewest · 15/07/2018 17:17

Not in a SC house no, I wouldn’t expect it to be cleaned during the length of the stay.
I think as you are staying for 3 weeks than changing the sheets is expected.
Personally I’d take my own towels or id wash and re-use any towels that they are supplying if there is a washing machine in the house.

Branleuse · 15/07/2018 17:20

no, i wouldnt expect cleaning in self catering, unless it was specified when booking

JustHereForThePooStories · 15/07/2018 17:23

I’m not from the UK but rent a house there a few times a year for c. 3 weeks and wouldn’t expect additional cleaning, bar the provision of spare sheets that I can change myself.

The way I see it, when i rent a house I can’t arrive before 3pm on arrival day, and must be gone by 10pm on day of departure to allow for a full clean while the house is empty. If I did want interim cleans, I think it would be possible that the owner/operator would argue that I’d need to vacate for these five hours, and take all my belongings with me.

Also, not cleaning a rental house as you go along is pretty scuzzy.

Fucksgiven · 15/07/2018 17:24

I'd expect several spares available to allow clean towels and sheets as needed. You clearly can't be expected to use the same for 3 weeks!

RedSkyLastNight · 15/07/2018 17:24

I wouldn't expect it but I always think it's cheeky that you don't get a discount is staying for multiple weeks.

I'd definitely ask for clean towels- it might be no hassle to wash, but potentially not so easy to dry (unless the cottage has a drier).

BestIsWest · 15/07/2018 17:24

Yes, I’d expect it. It would be cleaned if there were 3 different lets in the period and you are paying the same.

kesie123 · 15/07/2018 17:27

I always offer my holiday guests a bed linen and towel change if they are staying for 2 weeks - and a clean too, but no-one's ever taken me up on the later! I offer what I'd expect myself and clean towels and sheets after a week is definitely what I'd want when self-catering so you're not being unreasonable at all!

Notso · 15/07/2018 17:28

If it's abroad then I'd expect a mid week clean, if it's UK I wouldn't expect it but it should be done.
As pp said I think UK holiday rentals have low standards with this kind of thing.

Original poster
Uhohmummy · 15/07/2018 17:30

Ok good to know, thanks.
Ha! We’re not scuzzy but we do have 3 small DC (5, 3 and a baby) so we do tend to make a mess!

OP posts:
scoobyd2 · 15/07/2018 17:32

If the price for 3 weeks is the same as 3 individual weeks (ie cleaned at the end of each week ahead of new occupants), then UANBU to ask. We always do.
But be careful if you have your own towels etc. When we asked for cleaning on the middle weekend we found our own towels and tea towels missing, by 'accident'.
Our view is if we don't get cleaning while we're there, then we get it when we leave, so we only do the basics (NOTE we don't leave it a tip, just leave it tidy and let them do the rest).

Needmoresleep · 15/07/2018 17:32

I rent holiday flats. No clean between lets. However some people will ask and the agency will arrange at extra cost. Who pays that cost would be a matter of negotiation. It normally happens with business travellers (people spending a month or two working in the area) in winter months, where landlords will normally be flexible. Summer school holidays is a different kettle of fish. My flat was booked out months in advance, and I would have no problem filling a cancellation.

If you moved next door you would have to vacate one by 10.00am and would not be able to move into the other before 4.00pm. And you would be expected to leave the first reasonably clean. (My agency charge me, unless the clean takes over a certain time, at which point, the guest is charge the extra.)

Try the agency but dont be surprised if they dont play ball. Cleaners are very busy and the agency probably counts on not all flats becomming vacant every week.

BentOutOfShape · 15/07/2018 17:32

I’m also in the no camp however, I would have negotiated a reduction in the cost beforehand. The owners are otherwise going to be saving a tidy sum. There was a thread recently where holiday home owners were explaining how expensive the end of week cleans and handovers were.

Allthewaves · 15/07/2018 17:33

No. I wouldn't expect to be cleaned if self catering cottage.

slithytove · 15/07/2018 17:34

We have a villa and don’t offer mid stay cleans; our on site management won’t do it as it is too difficult with all of the personal items unpacked.

Linen changes, that’s it.

Never had a complaint once.

Allthewaves · 15/07/2018 17:34

I would expect it to be cleaned before going in

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 15/07/2018 17:41

Don't be fucking ridiculous.