Page 14 | Cleaner let cats into living room

slithytoveisascientist · 2023-10-12T10:27:06+00:00

Last week she let them into bedroom and luckily I caught it before anything happened. I reminded her and she was very apologetic and promised to be more careful. This week she has left the living room door open and the cats have gone in and scratched my leather sofa. It’s never had any damage before and I’m gutted. AIBU to ask to claim on her insurance for a repair, and will I even have any success?

LetMeGoogleThat · 12/10/2023 14:55

No voting buttons, but yup! you are being very bloody unreasonable. Let her go and you can clean the house yourself, in kitty cat heaven.

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 14:55

MisterOnions · 12/10/2023 14:30

If I were your cleaner and you asked me to claim on my own house insurance because your cats scratched your sofa, then I would tell you to shove your job where the sun doesn't shine.

If you are not happy with the service that your cleaner provides - perhaps try cleaning your house yourself? At least you will then know if you have managed to shut your poor cats out.

I don't believe I've ever heard anything so entitled in my life. You seriously need to get over yourself, OP.

House insurance wasn't mentioned.

Business insurance that was a condition of me being her client, was.

I've been told by most that would be unreasonable and accept that some time ago.

And if shutting a door is seen as entitled well then we are just very different people.

I work for many other people running my own business. When they ask me to do something a certain way, as long as it's not to my detriment, I do it. I do it to retain the client and do the best possible job I can.

I understand that an insurance claim would be OTT.

However I still dont think asking her to shut the doors is wrong or entitled, and that wasn't my AIBU question anyway.

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ThatsMsAtomicBob · 12/10/2023 14:56

I think asking this in AIBU and expecting warm and fuzzy reassuring responses was your first mistake.

I have a cat and a sofa I love. If we were changing the sofa tomorrow I wouldn't buy anything that could be easily destroyed.

If you don't want her in the rooms the cats aren't allowed in, and she isn't expected to clean in there, then YANBU to be annoyed. But YABU to expect to claim on her insurance.

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 14:57

Barnowlsandbluebells · 12/10/2023 14:36

Employer pays employee a decent wage. Shocking.

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They aren't employers or employees. And its not wages.

its a quoted hourly rate and the cleaner (or sole trader, business owner etc) sets the rate.

If they aren't setting a 'decent' rate that is on them. Not the fault of the client.

Why do you think outsourcing cleaning work makes one an employer?

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margotrose · 12/10/2023 14:57

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 14:48

Is it her job to close doors which are kept closed, regardless of reason?
What about locking a cupboard door which is kept locked?

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It's not her job to manage your pets. She's a cleaner, not a pet sitter.

A cupboard that she was cleaning or using is different - that's part of her job. Supervising your cats is not.

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 14:59

SabrinaThwaite · 12/10/2023 14:42

OP has already explained that the cleaning company owner charges clients £17.50 per hour and pays her employees around £12 per hour.

I’m not sure why you think OP is stiffing her cleaners?

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I will clarify I have NO idea if the cleaners are employees or freelancers, no idea about the business model I just know she has a team working under her and offers a whole heap of different cleaning services.

e.g. in November she is booked to do an oven clean and thats a bloke ive never met coming to do it, but its under the company name/umbrella and she will be the one invoicing me

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Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 14:59

MrsKeats · 12/10/2023 14:46

You are being ridiculous.
The cleaner is there to clean and not herd your cats.

She doesn't need to see speak to or herd cats. Just shut a door once she has finished in a room.

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Lavender14 · 12/10/2023 15:00

I think realistically as a cat owner, when they know they're not meant to be in somewhere it becomes very interesting and I know mine will make a dive into the rooms he's not allowed in or out the front door. So if someone isn't super familiar with cats they may feel uncomfortable lifting your cats to remove them. I can also see that trying to get in those doors with a hoover/Mop bucket etc while also trying to keep a cat out would be really difficult. So I wouldn't say anything. They're your pets and all she can do is TRY to keep them out of certain rooms. But if she tried to lift them and they bit or scratched her then that would be on you? So I think you let it go and take it as just part of pet ownership.

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:00

inquisitiveinga · 12/10/2023 14:43

On your death bed are you going to be het up about the sofa YOUR cats very slightly scratched?

You sound absolutely insane. Live a little!!!! I hope you aren't planning on having children

I sound "insane"?

I have two children. Why shouldn't I have them?

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Vand · 12/10/2023 15:01

She’s there to clean, not to be chasing after your cats when they Houdini their way into a room. We all know that even just carrying a hoover through a door way is enough for a cat to slip through your legs.

And I say that as a cat owner who accepts damage to material things because I grasp the concept that acts aren’t obedient animals like dogs and confining them to certain places 1. Doesn’t work and 2. Is mean.

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:01

Frabbits · 12/10/2023 14:50

YABU.

If you have cats, you have to accept that they will scratch things, especially if they aren't allowed out. If it hadn't been the cleaner, they would have got in somehow eventually.

Edited

They are allowed into garden just not road.

They haven't got in in 12 years of living here and a year of lovely nice sofa

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horseyhorsey17 · 12/10/2023 15:02

I accidentally let my friend's cats out of the kitchen on a regular basis when I am visiting her house, as I always forget they're not allowed upstairs. Consequently I have spent more time than I care to chasing around her bedroom trying to pull resistant maine coons out from under beds. I am glad she hasn't tried to get me to pay for any damages yet!

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:02

FrustatedAgain · 12/10/2023 14:51

Cats are quick very quick. You’re completely unreasonable in expecting her to keep them out of rooms. If you can’t trust your own pets you should put them in a dog crate when she is working in your home. She’s a cleaner not a cat herder. Good cleaners are hard to come by, if you value her you should bite your lip. She’ll get other work more easily than you’ll find a decent cleaner willing to put up with this nonsense.

I dont expect her to keep them out of rooms, my OP was worded clumsily. I do expect her to keep a door shut if I ask her to.

You are certainly correct on your last point which is why I'm so disappointed. I dont want to lose her but I also dont want to risk this happening again, and really I need a cleaner who can be here when i'm not here.

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Hibiscrubbed · 12/10/2023 15:03

Barnowlsandbluebells · 12/10/2023 14:36

Employer pays employee a decent wage. Shocking.

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Are you ok? What are you struggling with?

The cleaner charges £17.50, the OP pays £17.50.

Who are you to decide the cleaner should charge more than she does and the OP is an arse for not paying more than she charges?!

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:03

PercytheParkKeepershedgehog · 12/10/2023 14:52

I don’t think insurance would pay out.
If she accidentally used the wrong cleaning product and ruined the floor or accidentally knocked over your TV then I think they would, because her actions whilst running her business accidentally caused damage to a client’s possessions. But I don’t think leaving an interior door open would count. She didn’t damage the sofa, your cats did. The damage didn’t even occur when she was in your house working. It happened afterwards and you were home. I’m not suggesting you’re wrong at all about her leaving the door open, but the insurance company would need some kind of proof that she was responsible/the damage was a direct result of the actions of the cleaning company. And there isn’t any. How do they know your kids didn’t leave the door open? Or you?

The door was shut when she arrived. It was open when she left. Only me home. I hadn't left my study.

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PollyPut · 12/10/2023 15:04

Yes YABVU to ask to claim on her insurance for a repair. I doubt you will have any success.

The scratches are tiny

If you don't trust her then get a new cleaner - or put a sign up on the door saying "keep shut". They're your cats - not hers

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:05

ThatsMsAtomicBob · 12/10/2023 14:56

I think asking this in AIBU and expecting warm and fuzzy reassuring responses was your first mistake.

I have a cat and a sofa I love. If we were changing the sofa tomorrow I wouldn't buy anything that could be easily destroyed.

If you don't want her in the rooms the cats aren't allowed in, and she isn't expected to clean in there, then YANBU to be annoyed. But YABU to expect to claim on her insurance.

I think thats a fair response and maybe more what I was expecting. Not warm and fuzzy but not utter vitriol and insults as some have been! I'm also been ripped to shreds for many unrelated elements. I totally accept about the insurance and i'm glad I asked here.

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Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:06

Lavender14 · 12/10/2023 15:00

I think realistically as a cat owner, when they know they're not meant to be in somewhere it becomes very interesting and I know mine will make a dive into the rooms he's not allowed in or out the front door. So if someone isn't super familiar with cats they may feel uncomfortable lifting your cats to remove them. I can also see that trying to get in those doors with a hoover/Mop bucket etc while also trying to keep a cat out would be really difficult. So I wouldn't say anything. They're your pets and all she can do is TRY to keep them out of certain rooms. But if she tried to lift them and they bit or scratched her then that would be on you? So I think you let it go and take it as just part of pet ownership.

It would 100% be on me but these details are inaccurate. They dont go near the cleaner, they hide. The door was left open and they (he, just one) went in afterwards. No moving or herding of cats needed.

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horseyhorsey17 · 12/10/2023 15:06

You can always do what I did, and buy a massive dark-coloured sofa second hand for £50 so you and the kids and the animals can all fit on it together, it can get scratched to bits, and you won't care a jot! I did this and ironically it's the one sofa the cat has never scratched!

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:07

margotrose · 12/10/2023 14:57

It's not her job to manage your pets. She's a cleaner, not a pet sitter.

A cupboard that she was cleaning or using is different - that's part of her job. Supervising your cats is not.

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Cats aside

a room she is cleaning as part of the agreed tasks
she agreed to keep door closed

is that her job or not? ignore the reason for it for now. If a client asks it and you agree, is it the job?

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Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:08

horseyhorsey17 · 12/10/2023 15:02

I accidentally let my friend's cats out of the kitchen on a regular basis when I am visiting her house, as I always forget they're not allowed upstairs. Consequently I have spent more time than I care to chasing around her bedroom trying to pull resistant maine coons out from under beds. I am glad she hasn't tried to get me to pay for any damages yet!

Edited

A bit insulting, a paid for insured business service isnt a friend..

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Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:09

horseyhorsey17 · 12/10/2023 15:06

You can always do what I did, and buy a massive dark-coloured sofa second hand for £50 so you and the kids and the animals can all fit on it together, it can get scratched to bits, and you won't care a jot! I did this and ironically it's the one sofa the cat has never scratched!

I have this in the den! also not scratched as its not leather, he just wants the leather

OP posts:

horseyhorsey17 · 12/10/2023 15:09

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:05

I think thats a fair response and maybe more what I was expecting. Not warm and fuzzy but not utter vitriol and insults as some have been! I'm also been ripped to shreds for many unrelated elements. I totally accept about the insurance and i'm glad I asked here.

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Posting on AIBU is inviting all and sundry to judge you, not just for whatever you are posting, but as a person, with your every moral called into question. You will be called despicable. You will be reviled. You will be called a scarlet woman. Even if you're just posting something really innocuous about pasta.

horseyhorsey17 · 12/10/2023 15:10

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:09

I have this in the den! also not scratched as its not leather, he just wants the leather

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I think they like the noise their claws make when they pop through the leather!

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 15:10

Vand · 12/10/2023 15:01

She’s there to clean, not to be chasing after your cats when they Houdini their way into a room. We all know that even just carrying a hoover through a door way is enough for a cat to slip through your legs.

And I say that as a cat owner who accepts damage to material things because I grasp the concept that acts aren’t obedient animals like dogs and confining them to certain places 1. Doesn’t work and 2. Is mean.

They arent confined IN so much as shut OUT of two places. It's really not a significant amount of space, I promise. And they aren't sneaking in, they HATE the hoover, run at the sight of it. They walked in (he did, one cat) at his leisure, later.

Because the door was open.

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