AIBU to ask for cleaner's references, DBS and insurance details?

[Anxiousmom2024]

I am relatively new to the country and have never hired cleaning services so far here. I found a cleaning service post on Facebook from a local cleaner and got in touch. The person messaged that they would provide 2 references by email, and that they have DBS clearance and Insurance. I got a reference email but there was mention of the cleaner's name and not the company. I got back to the cleaner to say that there was no mention of the company's name and that I want to know the name of the person i am dealing with so that I can match to the referenced name in the email. The cleaner says that I am being intrusive and that they wont provide details such as their name, DBS or insurance. They said that with 2 references i am unable to trust (i only got one btw) and wished we luck finding another cleaner. I am a bit surprised to see all this. Aibu to ask these details especially when I am letting in someone into my home for a 3 or 4 hrs ?

TBH I didn’t do any of that with my cleaner .. just a local woman on Facebook. I’ve had her for years now, maybe I should have got more information, but never did. She’s had keys to my house since week one.

If those things are important to you, find someone who can provide them. This person was not the right one for you.

If you want an official set up (which is perfectly reasonable) go through a reputable agency rather than shopping for services on bloody Facebook!

We had a cleaner via a company, its usual for companies to just produce vetting info that guarantees all employeee have passed x, y and z. Ours had to be DBS checked due to us having a child who hadn’t yet been adopted in the home, as the companies process was usual social services were perfectly happy with it.

Its a bit like say the trades in schools, the company the school use will simply guarantee every worker is DBS checked etc, rather than providing each employees details for each visit.

Tbh, if they're advertising as having references, dbs and insurance, they should be prepared to show them to customers - anyone could say that and refuse to show evidence!

However, I don't think (someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have a cleaner!) that a dbs is standard for a cleaner. So that may be a stumbling block for you if that's what you are looking for as a non negotiable. Insurance absolutely should be, but I wouldn't be surprised if many don't have it - that's definitely something I would want to see! References: I'd probably prefer someone recommended by someone I know, or look at online reviews on a 3rd party site. Refences could be from anyone, it's not like a professional situation where you contact the company so you know they're legit.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with asking for checkable references and to see proof of insurance and dbs. To call you intrusive for asking this is ridiculous. You've dodged a bullet there.

I wouldn't expect a cleaner to supply a DBs certificate, are you planning on leaving your children with them?

Up to you what you ask for, if they don't want to supply the information then surely you look elsewhere

DBS not needed for a cleaner,

sounds like they did produce personal references?

most people who use cleaners either go via agency if they want paperwork. Facebook is more informal.

If youre paying them over 20 an hour, yes

Cleaning (in your home) isnt a job that requires a DBS so no I wouldnt be asking for that. You shouldnt be leaving your children unsupervised with someone you dont know anyway

References, yes if the person is happy to supply, if not, then choose someone else.

You could go by a company and they should have done a level of vetting anyway

What will you do when you have workers in the home like if you need a decorator, or builder or whatever? Most people cant afford to take time off while they're having a kitchen fitted, they go to work and leave the blokes there. We've had windows fitted, conservatory, kitchen, bathroom, patio x 2. All fitted while we were at work. Perhaps this was a big risk but not sure how else people get things done.

DBS isn't just for people working with teachers, it will show most convictions (enhanced DBS will show everything).

You will very likely pay more for someone who has this, references and insurance. Go via an agency to be sure?

There are legally binding eligibility requirements for an Enhanced or Standard DBS, you can't just ask someone to get one, the individual's role has to meet set criteria, to do with working with vulnerable people in most cases. Being a cleaner doesn't qualify. You could ask a cleaner to get a Basic DBS check but nothing more than that.

Where I live there it's hard to find a cleaner so you simply wouldn't be able to stipulate these requirements, no one would come forward for the job. So I'd say it depends on the market where you live.

Thank you all for sharing your point of view(s). Helpful to get an understanding of how things are.

Thank you for saying for what I was going to say - but you said it better.