Page 9 | 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?

Bacarach · 12/10/2023 13:11

I have nothing really to add but it reminds me of the time when Mum and Dad bought a brown leather sofa in the 80's after saving years for one and Mum was so careful about letting the cat in the lounge unsupervised. One day Mum was in the lounge and she went to answer the phone, she shut the door behind her but reckons the cat ran between her legs and she never saw her. When she came back after a couple of minutes she found her lovely sofa with scratch marks all down the arm. She was gutted :(

kitsuneghost · 12/10/2023 13:12

I also wouldn't like animals in my bedroom or living room.
I get round this by not having pets

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:13

SpinachandChocolate · 12/10/2023 13:09

Be kind to your cleaner and tell them you're impossible to work for and you suggest they resign with one month's full redundancy pay and a glowing reference.

I've asked her again if she can keep these two doors shut. If she chooses not to have me as a client that is her right.

My house is always tidy ready for them to clean.
I pay the same day.
I have never done a late cancellation or anything against their terms.
When I can't do a date I give their minimum notice, usually more and do my best to reschedule.

If they want to fire me for wanting two doors closed.. they can.

OP posts:

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:14

Scottishmamma · 12/10/2023 13:11

As the owner of two house cats that have restricted access to certain rooms (our bedroom and baby boy’s room) I understand your annoyance…however, when you don’t live your life in the habit of shutting doors religiously and making sure they don’t sneak past you when entering and exiting, I have had to learn to accept that any visitors to my house just simply can’t be relied on to be as fastidious and fast acting as myself and my husband when it comes to keeping cats in and/or out of rooms. I think it would be unreasonable to punish her for the actions of your cats. I think you have to chalk it up to part and parcel of your cat ownership and come up with a new plan of action for when the cleaner is in ie put the cats in a room that is not to be accessed by her at all & only let out when she has been and gone (this is what I have to do when I have any trades people in working after numerous mix ups and also the cats escaping out of the house too on numerous occasions). I don’t think looking for another cleaner would be worth the hassle unless you were lucky enough to find one who also has an asshole cat of their own that they deal with.

Honestly they really aren't sneaking. They walked (it was only one actually) into an open room. Cleaner had been gone about an hour. They hide, usually in garage when she is here.

I agree they need to be in with me

OP posts:

Mysonwontwash · 12/10/2023 13:14

Sorry but you sound deluded. I feel very sorry for your cleaner.

1983Louise · 12/10/2023 13:15

Perhaps do your own cleaning, just a thought

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:16

@Nanny0gg
working
eating
chilling after school
doing homework
reading or playing with kids

But no, they aren't with us after 9pm at night when we might be in living room. they are usually with my son.

They aren't with us when we have guests... best friend is allergic and in laws have a dog, so again they can't really be.

OP posts:

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:16

Mysonwontwash · 12/10/2023 13:14

Sorry but you sound deluded. I feel very sorry for your cleaner.

because I want her to shut two doors?

OP posts:

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:16

1983Louise · 12/10/2023 13:15

Perhaps do your own cleaning, just a thought

just not a very good thought

OP posts:

Toddlerteaplease · 12/10/2023 13:18

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 11:34

I feel like it's negligent for her to have allowed them in when she was specifically asked not to.

Have you a tried stopping a cat going where it wants to go? Fine to do it with your own cat. But I wouldn't be wrestling with someone else's!

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:18

PoliticallyIncorrectHitchling · 12/10/2023 13:11

Clean your own house ffs. Poor cleaner. Yes she made a mistake, but claiming on someone whos making min wage?! Appalling

£17.50 an hour charged to me and I know she pays her cleaners £12, she has quite a big team so I'm not sure she is on minimum wage.

Also she made a point of telling me about her business insurance and ICO reg when I signed her terms and conditions.

Why assume all cleaners are on minimum wage?

OP posts:

Barnowlsandbluebells · 12/10/2023 13:18

It's just a sofa. You have cats and know the associated risks.

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:19

kitsuneghost · 12/10/2023 13:12

I also wouldn't like animals in my bedroom or living room.
I get round this by not having pets

I don't believe all or nothing is necessary.

OP posts:

beethecrackon24995 · 12/10/2023 13:20

It's a long thread to read...I'm ploughing through. Knee jerk reaction to your initial post. Still think limiting cats to certain rooms is a bit sad. I get the bedroom but not other areas, sorry

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:21

Toddlerteaplease · 12/10/2023 13:18

Have you a tried stopping a cat going where it wants to go? Fine to do it with your own cat. But I wouldn't be wrestling with someone else's!

Show quote history

Luckily she doesn't have to as the cats dont go near her. She left the door open and they went in some time later.

All she had to do was shut a door.

Yes I should have checked or kept the cats locked away until I had checked.

Its a shame I have to because the cleaner won't close a door.

The impact is she can't be here unless I am, or potentially I have to find a new cleaner as I think following reasonable instructions is a minimum.

OP posts:

Alwaysdieting · 12/10/2023 13:21

I dont think its just indoor cats that scratch my boy goes out but still likes to sharpen his claws on my dining room chairs.
I think you should keep the cats in your office whilst the cleaner does her thing or get another cleaner.
Ive got R A and my hands are really sore at the moment so I know how you feel.

Justneedagirlname · 12/10/2023 13:21

People are just jealous that you have a big house AND a cleaner, ignore them.
it is not unreasonable to expect her to follow these instructions and I would look into asking her to reimburse (if you can’t DIY repair so there is a cost) out of pocket or via insurance AND consider finding a different cleaner.
why people in this country want to put up with crappy service for £17.5ph is beyond me🙄

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:21

beethecrackon24995 · 12/10/2023 13:20

It's a long thread to read...I'm ploughing through. Knee jerk reaction to your initial post. Still think limiting cats to certain rooms is a bit sad. I get the bedroom but not other areas, sorry

how many rooms should a cat have access to?
is a three bed one reception house ok?
What about a one bed flat?

Where do you draw the line for allowing a cat in terms of space provided

OP posts:

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:22

Alwaysdieting · 12/10/2023 13:21

I dont think its just indoor cats that scratch my boy goes out but still likes to sharpen his claws on my dining room chairs.
I think you should keep the cats in your office whilst the cleaner does her thing or get another cleaner.
Ive got R A and my hands are really sore at the moment so I know how you feel.

luckily mine are ok with wood so our skirts and other beds etc are all fine, they just love leather or pleather! My hands are so cold atm I can barely move them

OP posts:

Trinity65 · 12/10/2023 13:23

oohsharon · 12/10/2023 11:35

Why have cats? They're destructive creepy sneaky things and you're obvs not a cat person. I don't think this is the cleaners fault!

loll

I like cats but I have heard people call them creepy lots of times
Can I just ask what is creepy about cats as I have never asked others.
TIA

Barnowlsandbluebells · 12/10/2023 13:23

Justneedagirlname · 12/10/2023 13:21

People are just jealous that you have a big house AND a cleaner, ignore them.
it is not unreasonable to expect her to follow these instructions and I would look into asking her to reimburse (if you can’t DIY repair so there is a cost) out of pocket or via insurance AND consider finding a different cleaner.
why people in this country want to put up with crappy service for £17.5ph is beyond me🙄

The OP admitted to paying her cleaner £17.50 per hour. I'm horrified - no wonder she leaves doors open. 😂

Cerealkiller4U · 12/10/2023 13:24

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 11:36

If she let them out the house due to leaving front door open (which she has been asked not to do) would that also be my fault for having house cats?

Do you have any proof you told her not to let them into those rooms? Anything in writing??

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:25

Justneedagirlname · 12/10/2023 13:21

People are just jealous that you have a big house AND a cleaner, ignore them.
it is not unreasonable to expect her to follow these instructions and I would look into asking her to reimburse (if you can’t DIY repair so there is a cost) out of pocket or via insurance AND consider finding a different cleaner.
why people in this country want to put up with crappy service for £17.5ph is beyond me🙄

We are very lucky.

I do believe in keeping nice things nice though, we've worked hard for them.

I wish I could do my own cleaning it'd be better then the joint pain and lack of mobility I have.

I'd like a different cleaner I think but we really struggled to find one when our lovely cleaner of 5+ years retired.

I'm not a nightmare but I do have high standards and people were turning up late, leaving early, only doing a kitchen in three hours etc. It was more of a burden than a help. We tried about 5 I think. These ladies are great so I'm hoping they are willing to shut the doors for me.

OP posts:

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 12/10/2023 13:25

I think OP is having a really hard time.

It sounds like her cats are well cared for and have enough space (a whole house except these two room and a garden.
What more would you want? An entire park??).

It is also perfectly fine to not want one´s pets in certain rooms or places.
Some people don´t want dogs on their bed. OP clearly doesn´t want her cats in her bedroom (or living room). Isn´t that comparable? How is that wrong?

The cleaner has left the door open twice (in a rather short amount of time). And something was damaged when the cleaner left a door open again / after OP already told her to be more careful.

I think OP is right to be upset about this.

And an insurance claim should be something to consider.

Original poster

slithytoveisascientist · 12/10/2023 13:26

Barnowlsandbluebells · 12/10/2023 13:23

The OP admitted to paying her cleaner £17.50 per hour. I'm horrified - no wonder she leaves doors open. 😂

Show quote history

I pay her the rate she quoted me?

It's a business, I'm not making any decisions for her! That was also one of the higher rates I was quoted, I'm in the North west.

OP posts: