Cleaner ghosting me - can't get my keys back!

[AllTrussdUp]

My cleaner has not been since Christmas. The problem is that she has stopped responding to texts, emails, calls, WhatsApp etc. OK - I gather she's 'fired me', that's fine - but I can't get my keys back from her! I've tried finding out if something has happened to her - but no luck. What else can I try?

AIBU to start putting messages on local FB groups asking? I know this could have an impact on her business, but I'm facing the need to change my locks if I can't get the keys back and I can barely afford it!

Change the lock yourself OP seriously. You can buy these locks at b&q for like £20. Just find one with a similar size and placement to your current lock and all you need is a screwdriver and you can do it yourself.

That much? Mine was a tenner AND came with three keys! I couldn't believe it either.

That's a eurolock - which is similar to a yale lock.

A 5 lever mortice lock looks like this

Does she have any sort of online presence? If so, I would message her to say that if you don't get a response within the next hour, you will be writing a factually correct review on her web page (or whatever she has), to say that she has buggered off with your keys and is refusing to return them, so you wouldn't recommend her services as you don't feel she can be trusted and are now having to fork out loads of cash to have the locks changed. See if that puts a rocket up her...

Haven't read whole thread but have you tried sending her a message that says something like

As you know I have sent you several messages asking you to return my keys.
If something has happened to you to prevent that, such as illness or a family emergency please let me know immediately. If I don't hear from you within [pick a time that fits the situation/number of previous messages 48 hours/ 3 days etc], then I will have no alternative but to report this to the police as a theft of my house keys. I hope we can resolve this amicably as I really do need my keys back.

Whether you intend to report it or not, it may focus the mind and also allows for the possibility she's in a coma and her spouse has her phone.

Seriously. Have you phoned her from someone else's phone? If she has that phone for work she's unlikely to have changed it. And as any sales person will confirm people hate to ignore an unknown number!

Our rental house has Mul T Lok keys or whatever they're called. When DC lost one we had to get everything replaced and unfortunately the same key opens the front door, side door, back door and internal conservatory doors. We claimed on insurance but if we'd paid out of pocket we were told it would've cost hundreds. Needless to say, if a cleaner fucked off with one of our keys I'd be livid.

@AllTrussdUp id be getting my locks changed, the cost might annoy me but I’d rather have the peace of mind tbh.

And then I’d tell her to return the locks and if she doesn’t, I’d seriously be considering calling the police as that’s technically theft!

return the keys *

1. If you can't afford to change a lock, don't hire a cleaner. either that cleaner gets underpaid for its work and fire you or both ways.
2. if you can't afford to change a lock, theres probably nothing expensive in your house and i don't see why you need to guarantee security to make sure nothing is stolen.
3. you think she will break into your house & also give her a key? If you trust your cleaner, you should never worry about that.

Is it possible she’s lost the key so is ignoring you?
ring her from a different number if that doesn’t work send her a blunt message that if no reply in 24 hours you will have no choice to put on her Facebook page .
Cleaners go by reputation and tbh if I was looking for a cleaner and I found out she did this sort of thing I’d not employ her .
similar thing happened to us with a builder who didn’t finish some work he had a key , after we got over that he wasn’t coming back to finish off ( just small jobs like taking rubbish etc ) we were annoyed about the key . Again ignoring messages / calls . In the end I threatened trading standards /social media etc and the keys returned . Obviously not going to get a reference off me but I’ve not bad mouthed him either .

Can you just swap your front and back door lock barrels?

I'd be sending one more message saying you have no choice but to call the police as it's theft.

This is what needs to be done. I’d add in that if you have not had a response by a date that you set you will be changing your locks and sending her the bill. That you will also post on social media detailing what happened to alert others to get way of running her cleaning business.

This. Check to see if your home insurance will cover.

I'd probably send her a message stating that she either hands your keys back otherwise you will have her billed for the cost of changing your locks. It may get her responding if she doesn't want that charge being sent to her

Next time get a key safe, then all you have to do is change the code!

You'd probably be best changing the locks anyway as either she or a less scrupulous acquaintance has had plenty of time to get an extra set cut. In future don't give the cleaner a key, use a key box with a code, then you can just change the code. The key never leaves your house that way. Plus you can tell emergency services the code in an emergency. Win win!

How to change a Euro lock

I’m not sure if you can get them cheaper, but avocet keys can’t be cut at timpsons etc. You need a code to get additional keys. Doesn’t stop a cleaner from stealing/losing your key, but does guarantee that there aren’t multiple copies being made.

have you hear from her yet?