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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To talk to cleaner about this and not use again

222 replies

betray · 22/10/2023 08:30

We went away and paid our cleaner 4 hours to clean the house
She came and spent 1.hr 20 mins there and saw it on the door bell
We home swap and our last two guests said the house was not clean
We thought they were being fussy and couldn't understand
This home swap she spent 1hr 21 minutes there
I'm worried these guests will complain house isn't clean again
I need her to sort the house for our return
I want her to do the return clean as I haven't got any notice but she needs to unpack our groceries too
If we get another bad rating for cleanliness it's going to jeopardise our future swaps which is how we go on holiday
I'm so hurt
What shall I do? Say something or just leave and not use again? So so upset

OP posts:
oksothisisusnow · 22/10/2023 08:54

betray · 22/10/2023 08:45

No I will be paying her for 8 hours @£17 ph

In that case, how do you pay her?

If upfront, I think I'd confront her upon return with referenced times that she entered and exited your home, and ask for a refund past the time that she worked. I'd guess make allowances for picking up the shopping if she's doing that.

If you pay her after, then I'd calculate times she worked from the ring doorbell, and pay as appropriate and tell her that her services are no longer required.

What a cheeky fucker.

Original poster
betray · 22/10/2023 08:56

Of course Florence, I'm bothered because when I get home

I think you would be annoyed if you bought groceries and 3/4 were not delivered but oh well you chose to buy online

It's not a drip feed but you don't need to know that I have used her because I can't physically do it all myself as well as packing

I was upset before and discussed it with her

We are talking about a very nice house in a nice area btw, not just a sublet of some description

She's being paid to do something and she isn't doing it because she thinks I wouldn't notice

She's fully on the door bell arriving late and leaving early

Text me after these times as if that didn't happen

I have trust her in my home, it feels bad

OP posts:
Warum · 22/10/2023 08:56

@betray so other people have been happy with her services, but you are not? Has there possibly been some communication error?
My suggestion to do it yourself was more because at least you'll know it's done properly this time, not a long term solution (but of course the MN vultures pile in).

Singsonggsu · 22/10/2023 08:57

Definitely say something especially if you have reviews you can show her. We have an Air bnb (not our home though) and I’ve found it very difficult to find regular, reliable and competent people to get the changeovers/cleaning done well. So I totally get your frustrations! I hope you get something sorted 🤞

Original poster
betray · 22/10/2023 08:58

@oksothisisusnow

I'm inclined to agree with you, she doesn't even have to pick up the shopping I ordered it and she's just got to throw a few bags in fridge / freezer at the time that she said suits her

I'm really insulted
I would never treat anyone differently because of the job they do and I'm grateful for her services but it's not a charity and she's lying and that hurts and she is in my private space

Feedback from last guests were shared and she said "there's no pleasing some people is there?"

OP posts:
WaltzingWaters · 22/10/2023 09:02

Just pay her for the hours she has done and find someone else going forward. Surprised cleaners do this when so many people have door cams these days! It’s a constant on MN!

Lampzade · 22/10/2023 09:04

Just pay her and get someone else

OrangesLemonsLimes · 22/10/2023 09:07

She has cheated you. You’re quite right to be annoyed. You should probably ask her about the “ring doorbell confusion” (not that there is any confusion of course, but she needs to know that you have rumbled her and have proof).

Could you do it yourself whilst paying a babysitter for a few hours in future? Might be cheaper, and you’d get a decent standard of cleaning.

topnoddy · 22/10/2023 09:12

Can someone explain what home swap is when it's at it's gran's ?

slashlover · 22/10/2023 09:14

topnoddy · 22/10/2023 09:12

Can someone explain what home swap is when it's at it's gran's ?

You swap homes. Say you live in London and want to visit New York, you find someone in New York who wants to visit London and instead of booking an Air B&B or hotel, you live in each others house.

Coldinscotland · 22/10/2023 09:15

Hey op sounds like a job I would love! Cleaner here and prep for Airbnb sometimes too! Idbwf do not swizz my customers of their money either!

Rosiem2808 · 22/10/2023 09:15

OP let her unpack your shopping etc and then pay her. Let her go and tell her you can't afford her any more and leave her to think about it. This way she will know why you are sacking her but won't be able to leave you a bad review.

Original poster
betray · 22/10/2023 09:15

OrangesLemonsLimes · 22/10/2023 09:07

She has cheated you. You’re quite right to be annoyed. You should probably ask her about the “ring doorbell confusion” (not that there is any confusion of course, but she needs to know that you have rumbled her and have proof).

Could you do it yourself whilst paying a babysitter for a few hours in future? Might be cheaper, and you’d get a decent standard of cleaning.

Thank you for this that is a good way to put it, I mean she didn't even just hang around and have a coffee she actually left?
I think I will do that next time so I know it's been done properly
She could say oh the house was v tidy and clean but there was a clear list of jobs she agreed to do which would have been impossible for me even in 90 minutes, well 80!!

OP posts:
Original poster
betray · 22/10/2023 09:16

Rosiem2808 · 22/10/2023 09:15

OP let her unpack your shopping etc and then pay her. Let her go and tell her you can't afford her any more and leave her to think about it. This way she will know why you are sacking her but won't be able to leave you a bad review.

Another good idea

Thank you it's a diplomatic way without conflict I appreciate this
I've been stewing on it and I'm upset because I am always being taken advantage of

I am soft and anxious, I resent myself for it.

OP posts:
Original poster
betray · 22/10/2023 09:17

Coldinscotland · 22/10/2023 09:15

Hey op sounds like a job I would love! Cleaner here and prep for Airbnb sometimes too! Idbwf do not swizz my customers of their money either!

I'm not in Scotland or I would slide into your DMs!!!

OP posts:
LolSpinner · 22/10/2023 09:20

I'd message her and say you noticed she has only done 1:2.0 hrs and was wondering why and if she was going to make up the time. See what she says.

Hi Cleaner,
Just checking how things were going. We got a ring doorbell notification that you were only at the house for 1:20 hrs after the last guests and we were wondering if there was a problem.
Can you let me know
Thanks

I've sacked a cleaner who continually left early (very early). I paid well but I paid by the hour. I had made that very clear. Leaving early is the same as stealing. I raised it a couple of times with the cleaner and then sacked her.
I've always had cleaners and she is the only bad one I've had. I had my last one nearly 15 years now.

LuckySantangelo35 · 22/10/2023 09:24

Warum · 22/10/2023 08:40

Can't you do the cleaning yourself?

@Warum

evidently not, hence she is PAYING a PROFESSIONAL for that SERVICE

Warum · 22/10/2023 09:25

LuckySantangelo35 · 22/10/2023 09:24

@Warum

evidently not, hence she is PAYING a PROFESSIONAL for that SERVICE

Show quote history

Is there a reason why you've just chosen to tag me and not anyone else who suggested a similar thing?

HattieIou · 22/10/2023 09:26

Get rid of her. Ignore the sarky comments on here I am sure people just do it for the sake of it, when in reality as if anyone would put up with a cheating cleaner. And the next one you get, tell them from the off that you pay for the hours worked as you've had people leaving nearly 3 hours early and expecting payment for it all. Some people are lazy cheeky shits.

By the way I'd be telling her why I was finishing her, too many complaints about it not being clean and leaving hours early on the ring doorbell.

LuckySantangelo35 · 22/10/2023 09:27

@Warum

yes. You are the only one who suggested that op does the cleaning herself.

Warum · 22/10/2023 09:30

LuckySantangelo35 · 22/10/2023 09:27

@Warum

yes. You are the only one who suggested that op does the cleaning herself.

Have you not read all the posts, because at least two others have definitely suggested it too?

Icannotbudget · 22/10/2023 09:33

OP, why would you pay her for four hours when she hasn’t even bothered doing half that. What other jobs does someone just get to bill for more than twice what they have done!! It’s theft!!!
if it was me I wld pay her for the three hours she has actually done and be honest that you have had complaints- which clearly If shes only spent 1hr 20 out of four hours the house isnt going to be clean is it!!

LuckySantangelo35 · 22/10/2023 09:34

Warum · 22/10/2023 09:30

Have you not read all the posts, because at least two others have definitely suggested it too?

Show quote history

@Warum

whatever.
the point is it’s an unhelpful comment - if op wanted to do it herself she would, she’s doesn’t so she employs someone to do it and that professional should do the job to standard and work the hours they are paid. End of.

rocknrollaa · 22/10/2023 09:34

HattieIou · 22/10/2023 09:26

Get rid of her. Ignore the sarky comments on here I am sure people just do it for the sake of it, when in reality as if anyone would put up with a cheating cleaner. And the next one you get, tell them from the off that you pay for the hours worked as you've had people leaving nearly 3 hours early and expecting payment for it all. Some people are lazy cheeky shits.

By the way I'd be telling her why I was finishing her, too many complaints about it not being clean and leaving hours early on the ring doorbell.

This.

Also, try not to let it upset you OP. I understand why but you need to remain professional and distanced. This is just a case of a cleaner being a bit lazy and taking the mick - it's not a personal insult to you, it's more about her and her work ethic. Distance your feelings from the situation.

You need to get rid of her and tell her why.

Don't be threatened by negative reviews.

TulipCat · 22/10/2023 09:35

Dial down the emotion, it's a business arrangement that isn't up to standard, no need to be insulted and hurt. Pay her this time, then say you'll be doing it yourself from now on to save on costs. Then get someone else. Nothing she can say to that really. It's the route of least hassle to you.