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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Cleaner - how to word cancellation

23 replies

KyaClark · 20/05/2022 19:15

I don't think I'm being unreasonable but I'll briefly explain.

I have a weekly cleaner who is supposed to do 1.5 hours, however she frequently leaves early.

Today she left after an hour.

I've just been round to check and she's not cleaned the shower or sink in the en-suite, nor has she cleaned the floor up to the skirting boards. She hasn't cleaned the floor in the dining room. She hasn't cleaned the downstairs toilet at all (as in, nothing in the room has been touched).

I was busy with my baby so I didn't notice at the time but now I'm a bit annoyed, especially as I've previously asked her to do these things specifically after noticing they'd been "missed".

Anyway, I've had enough now. It's a waste of money so I want to cancel her. I'm crap at this type of thing. What do I say?!

OP posts:

BalloonsAndWhistles · 20/05/2022 19:17

Hi. ThankS for everything you’ve done over the past XX weeks/months. I no longer require a cleaning service. Best wishes.

Original poster

KyaClark · 20/05/2022 19:19

So don't mention being unhappy with the service? That would suit me better but I'm so pissed off that I almost want to complain. It's not worth though, is it?

OP posts:

Natty13 · 20/05/2022 19:20

Hi Susan due to the jobs we specifically discussed you doing not being done again today we will be going with another cleaner going forward. Please consider out contract with you cancelled. Thanks, Jenny and Jim"

blueluce85 · 20/05/2022 19:20

Hi, unfortunately I no longer require your services. I need a cleaner for 1.5hrs but realise you do not have the time for this. Thank you for your time up until now. I am happy to provide 2 weeks' notice, but if you do not wish to work this, I am happy to finish with immediate effect. Thanks

coffeecupsandfairylights · 20/05/2022 19:33

Hi Jane. Thanks for everything you've done over the past (time period) - however, due to you not completing (tasks) and leaving early, I will be looking for another cleaner going forward and no longer require your services. Thanks, Kya."

declutteringmymind · 20/05/2022 21:17

Hi. I was disappointed again that you didn't get round to doing xxxx but still left early, so I've decided that it's best that you don't carry on, effective immediately. I've settled your account and I wish you all the best.

Bryonny84 · 20/05/2022 21:34

I'd just say (don't text) We appreciate all your help but we won't be needing your services as of Monday. We of course will settle your wages.

If you want to mention she's not up to it then slip that in somewhere. Personally I wouldn't. She knows why she's being let go.

Original poster

KyaClark · 22/05/2022 15:54

I've just noticed something else she'd not done. The floor in the main bathroom. It's pretty basic cleaning I'm asking for.

She gets the bus to me. I don't understand why she'd go to that effort and expense to leave after just an hour. You'd think she'd do the opposite to recoup more money.

I've had enough now.

OP posts:

CapMarvel · 22/05/2022 16:13

Dear x, we no longer require your services.

That's it. You don't need to say anything more.

Pandarinio · 22/05/2022 16:16

Don't bother providing feedback unless it's asked for. Her fault if her business tanks.

Viviennemary · 22/05/2022 16:26

I dont think an hour and a half is very long. But if you are not pleased just say we won't be needing you any longer after such a date. . Thanks for your work.

Livercool · 22/05/2022 16:31

I would say you don't need her anymore and leave it at that.

How much cleaning do you expect her to do in an hour and a half?

Boymumsoymum · 22/05/2022 16:35

I and many of my friends stopped bothering employing cleaners after trying several and every single time within weeks of starting they were arriving late, and finishing early, and leaving basic stuff not done. Always assumed it was just a bit much for them to cover but it became mega apparent when we got ring doorbells that nope, they were just leaving 1 hour into a 2 hour clean, literally every week, while charging £15 per hour for that service. It's a shame as having tried like 4 different cleaners I ended up concluding they are mostly dishonest/lazy. All of them also flat refused to take electronic payment of any kind, only cash .....

mcmooberry · 22/05/2022 16:38

I am baffled that she would leave after an hour with you actually present in the house! Is she paid for the 1.5 hours?? She should have been taken to task about leaving early the very first time it happened if she is being paid and not working.
I would say something like " Thank you for your help over the last few months. As I need you to be here for the full 1.5 hours every week and this is seldom happening, I am going to have to find an alternative cleaning service. I wish you well for the future."

Seasidefuntime · 22/05/2022 16:38

The leaving early and still charging you is not on but the things you say she did not do are not all doable in that extra 30 mins. What did she actually do in the hour?

Toddlerteaplease · 22/05/2022 16:40

I said that I had a huge vets bill
and could no longer afford a cleaner. Which was partially true.

girlmom21 · 22/05/2022 16:42

You listed a lot of things she didn't do that aren't doable in 30 minutes. What did she do in that hour?

Saucery · 22/05/2022 16:43

She might be leaving to catch a bus and waiting for the next one means hanging around.

Not your problem, however.

lynxca16 · 22/05/2022 16:49

Don't think 1.5 hours weekly is enough time for the cleaning you expect.
I would not like to try to achieve your standards in that short a time.
Agree with others and simply text - thanking for the help provided recently but no longer require cleaning services - nothing more than that.

MiseryWIthAStent · 22/05/2022 16:58

I would tell her why I'm cancelling, and yes there's a chance you might be asking a lot of cleaning to be done in too short of a timeframe but it's certainly not going to get done if you leave early is it 😅

MayDaze · 22/05/2022 17:18

1.5 hours isn't enough time to do a proper house clean, in my opinion as a cleaner. Minimum 2 hours weekly, 3-4 fortnightly just to stay on top of things. I don't offer half hour service because it's pointless. If I finish early then I find something else to do (give the kitchen kickboards a quick going over or maybe dust the tops of cupboards - some of the less frequent jobs really).

However. She's taking the piss.

Text to tell her you're cancelling as you've not been happy with the service, that's literally all you need to say.

Next time you get a cleaner, have a checklist ready and make sure they are able to complete your list in the time you require. If they can't then you need to pay for another half hour OR decide what is and isn't important for a weekly clean so that the task is within the cleaners ability. Just think how long it would take you to clean your house - I doubt very much you'd have it done to a high standard in 1.5 hours.

Original poster

KyaClark · 22/05/2022 18:28

Those saying it's a lot to ask for an hour - she's supposed to be here longer but she's leaving after telling me she's finished everything. She was supposed to come for two hours. She dropped it to an hour and a half as she was getting through the list quickly and then started leaving even earlier.

Cleaned the bath and toilet in the main bathroom. The toilet, windowsill and floor in the en-suite. Vacuumed the landing and two bedrooms. Vacuumed downstairs and moped in the living room. Wiped the kitchen sides.

I've done a big clean today and she'd just done a surface clean on everything. Like you do when your mate gives you a 5 minute warning that they're coming over.

OP posts:

mycatisannoying · 22/05/2022 19:42

'Hi. Sorry, we've come to the conclusion that this isn't working out. We need someone who will stay for the full time they're being paid for, and complete the cleaning tasks within. We feel you're falling short of this, so it's best to end it now. All the best.'

Leaving half an hour early, when you're home, is an absolute pisstake OP. So I think it's best to cut your losses in an honest way.

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