To cancel clean and expect not to pay?

[Purplepricklesonherback]

DS has come down with vomiting bug. Our cleaner is due tomorrow. I have messaged her ti cancel as would hate her to pick it up.

she has replied saying her policy is cancellations with less than 24 hrs notice is full payment for the clean (£60).

I understand this - I really do - but in last six weeks she has cancelled the clean on the day of twice. Once due to car trouble and once because her partner was ill of something. Both times I said no problem as understand things do come up.

I haven’t ever signed a contract. She’s been cleaning for us for about four months.

I will pay - not worth upsetting apple cart and I do get things are tough at the moment - but AIBU to feel a bit miffed? Can’t work it out!

Think I'd be looking for a new cleaner, yours is a CF.

Why does she think it's ok to cancel on you but expect you to pay when you cancel (for a very good reason)?

You're paying for a service. No service, no pay.

Edited after OP update

Sorry to be clear I have never paid for the weeks she cancels. I pay in cash when she comes.

Tough one. I'd probably give my cleaner the choice to come or not to come. Not sure if I'd pay if she didn't come, I get on really well with my cleaner but I don't usually pay if she isn't here. Perhaps split it and pay half?

I expect the consensus will be to pay though as it's lost earnings if she can't replace the slot.

She can't say that when she's cancelled last minute. I'd just tell her to come anyway if that's the case and she might waiver it.

Definitely don't pay though.

I'd reply telling her that you'll deduct it from the £60 per time she owes you for the times she cancelled on the day and had to get someone else to clean your house instead (even if that someone was you).

No contract and twice in the last few weeks she's let you down on the day? No I wouldn't blooming pay I'd be looking for a new cleaner!

I think if she hadn't cancelled on the day a couple of times I'd say fair enough as it is loss of earnings. But it's hardly a rubbish reason for her not to come and as you've said, she's done it to you twice (with valid reasons too).

I would put your child in their bedroom and tell her still to come
Her decision then whether to go or cancel

Oh yeah or do what PPs have said and just tell her to come anyway. Then she either cleans your house or she cancels on you herself and can't charge you.

Give her the choice, come and be paid or stay away and dont

Can you push a day later so it's not a cancellation, rather a postponement?

Ooh awkward one! Ordinarily I'd be like year fair enough you need to pay. But no. I think given she's pissed you around twice you should refuse to pay and find another cleaner.

I would give her the choice to rearrange personally.

She can't charge you without a contract in place.

This
perhaps tell her to miss bathroom and do it yourself

Definitely ask her to come after all.
The bathroom probably needs an extra thorough clean, doesn't it? 😏

Or say OK I won't cancel and ask her to give the loo some extra bleach...

Let her come and do the clean. She should be taking hygiene precautions anyway. If she doesn’t want to come because of the risk of a bug then that’s her choice but then it’s her that’s cancelling, and her loss of money.

No need to cancel for that reason but it is a bit odd. I’ve cleaned houses before and never had any “rules” like that because they are not enforceable and create awkward situations especially when she’s cancelled on you before.

I bet she has already either filled your slot or made arrangements to go out. I am fairly sure she won't want to come to clean your house!

Well you would have spent that money anyway it just means your house won't have been cleaned.I very much suspect she doesn't need your job anyway.

I wouldn't have tolerated her cancelling me though. I'ts become too common now and I just tell people I don't do cancellations unless it's an emergency. An emergency means a close family member is dead or dying.

I don't mind if my cleaner cancels at the last minute. I don't pay her when I'm away (which is only 4 times a year) so I'm happy to be flexible in return.

Tell her to come anyway.

If she refuses and still wants to charge you, find a new cleaner.

she can’t legitimately charge you for work not done though unless there’s a contract.

Thanks everyone I thought most people would be slating me and saying YABVU!!

The truth is I dont want her to come. I have. DS2 at home every day anyway so will be trying to entertain him and look after DS1… place will be a state and you have to tidy before cleaners come so they don’t spend their time tidying instead of cleaning … and that’s if I don’t catch it myself which seems unlikely as guess who is dealing with all the vom!!

she does a great job and I have been let down before by cleaners so felt relieved to have a good one. The two cancellations were annoying but felt pretty relaxed about it.

sll very annoying!!

I usually want her to come, to be clear… but just can see it being highly stressful tomorrow when dealing with poorly child!