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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Cleaner for student house?

44 replies

siwsan · 25/08/2021 18:30

Hi there,

Has anyone’s dc had experience of organising a cleaner for their student house?

Ds is living with three other boys in a flat in central london. One of the other parents is pushing for them to hire a cleaner. Ds is good at cleaning and won’t mind doing it himself, as long as everyone chips in. I can’t decide if it’s a waste of money or if it might help keep the peace.

OP posts:
maslinpan · 25/08/2021 18:33

At that age they need to learn how to clean for themselves, it's a necessary but boring part of growing up. Particularly important for boys.

ShanghaiDiva · 25/08/2021 18:33

My ds shared with two guys and as he is pretty good at cleaning ended up doing most of it himself. The others seemed happy to accept soap scum in bathroom and filthy worktops. Ds was pretty pissed off so in your ds’s circumstances a cleaner may be a sensible solution.

Ragwort · 25/08/2021 18:39

Coincidentally I am just looking at student rentals with my DS and a view of them do include a regular cleaner Grin.

However I don't think it would be a good idea for your DS to be the paid clearer for the others, what if they don't pay him, what if they take advantage and are messier/untidier than 'normal'. It could make things feel very unequal and lead to fallings out.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 25/08/2021 18:47

I wouldn't be impressed if they had a cleaner. This is the time to learn how to fend for yourself. Learning how to clean, cook and manage bills is all part of growing up.

Driftingblue · 25/08/2021 18:50

My graduate student hall fees included a cleaner. Best idea ever. Depending on the hygiene of other students is really bad. Inevitably the one responsible person gets stuck doing all the work. I’d absolutely support this plan and even be willing to pay my child’s share.

yikesanotherbooboo · 25/08/2021 18:53

My student DS is moving into a flat that has a regular cleaner. As the owner , some years ago , of a student let I can understand why this might be becoming a thing. They were all nice young people and kept things tidy and themselves immaculate but they left the place very dirty. DH and I were quite taken aback but just how much grime and dust could accumulate. They didn't seem to have the sense of responsibility towards someone else's property that I and my flat mates had .

CaptainSmartarse · 25/08/2021 18:56

Oh ffs

WeAllHaveWings · 25/08/2021 19:01

They split the chores equally and if someone want to outsource their share to a cleaner it is up to them.

It is up to your ds if he wants to pay for a cleaner or not from his own budget.

Hardchoices · 25/08/2021 19:06

No student needs a cleaner. They need to be responsible for their surroundings so if they want to turn it into a tip they must live like that till they clean it.

TheUndoingProject · 25/08/2021 19:07

I think students should learn to clean up after themselves as an important part of their education. Plus I doubt my kids could have afforded what a cleaner would deserve to be paid to clean the mess they created.

WitchBaby · 25/08/2021 19:07

No no no. This is the age they should be learning to be responsible.
My DD's moving into a student house this September with her friends, and shock horror they have to clean up after themselves.
Having a cleaner (if not included with the accm) is a luxury and one that students shouldn't be able to afford.
Whatever next a bloody butler?

AtillatheHun · 25/08/2021 19:12

Interesting how it’s all sons who need cleaners for student jousted- god help their future wives

SmileyClare · 25/08/2021 19:20

I've seen all male student digs. As a general rule of thumb, they're a tip. Overflowing bins, unchanged beds, ashtrays, thick grime and pubes, beard shavings all over bathroom, stained carpets, rare mould cultures being cultivated on plates in the kitchen, clothes everywhere, party debris..

I'm a self employed cleaner and wouldn't touch that job with a bargepole.

They will eventually run out of plates and cutlery, and get fed up and ashamed of the mess/ can't find anything or bring women back and tackle it themselves. It's an important learning curve.

Baystard · 25/08/2021 19:30

Who pays the deposit on the flat? If parents have put up their sons share of deposit then I can see why they'd think a cleaner to keep things under control would be a good idea.

Sheerheight · 25/08/2021 20:15

As a student, shouldn't be needed.

Can your son negotiate to do his share and not have to pay?

Sheerheight · 25/08/2021 20:17

And central London cleaners will be expensive..

roses2 · 25/08/2021 20:22

Get a cleaner. He can learn when he lives on his own. Other people are dirty and there is no chance in hell everyone will pull their weight.

A cleaner in Central London will cost ~£12/hour. Same as every other part of the country.

brittleheadgirl · 25/08/2021 20:25

God this is depressing!
They should be learning to live independently, not paying someone else to do their dirty work.

What is wrong with world? Surely a group of students can manage a bit of light housekeeping or are they all juggling full time jobs, kids or maybe have a disability?
No thought not Hmm

brittleheadgirl · 25/08/2021 20:26

*the world!
Speed typing because I was so irritated by this!!!!

SmileyClare · 25/08/2021 21:25

They should be learning to live independently!

I agree, and it appears they aren't even up to the task of deciding amongst themselves to get a cleaner, or finding one. The parents are organising this and I expect paying for it too.

I imagine the parents have paid the hefty rental deposit and most of the rent. If there are concerns that there will be damages or a very expensive end of tenancy clean then that should be the student's responsibility to pay. Tough luck.

Giving young adults no responsibility for anything is disastrous.

Op it sounds as though you've at least brought your son up to take care of his own mess. It's a little insulting to say he's "good at cleaning" though! Cleaning is not difficult it simply requires some effort and a realisation that mum isn't there to do it for you.

doorornottodoor · 25/08/2021 21:27

No way!!!

This is such a bad life lesson. The entitlement is strong. Wonder which university? Private school I bet.

chesirecat99 · 25/08/2021 21:29

Well they know their DC best...

I suppose they could have additional needs and struggle with personal care. Or they could be a slob or a spoilt brat and their parents know that they won't keep the place clean and will leave it to everyone else.

Being purely practical, could they set up a rota for cleaning the communal areas so those that are happy to clean aren't spoilt slobs do it one week each, and those that aren't, pay for a cleaner for their weeks? Otherwise they will end up being the slob's skivvies if they don't want to live in filth.

Northernsoullover · 25/08/2021 21:30

Oh for goodness sake. They should be cleaning after themselves but often they don't. Get a cleaner. Someone will be glad of the work (former cleaner here)

Gastonia · 25/08/2021 21:35

My DS was employed as a cleaner in student accommodation over the summer... and yet I'm disappointed to say he's still very messy at home!

Fifthtimelucky · 25/08/2021 22:17

Students should of course be learning to clean up after themselves, but some won't, and it's certainly not just boys.

My daughter lived with 3 female friends last year. The house was an absolute tip. One girl wasn't too bad but the other two were horrendously messy. My daughter likes things clean and tidy and the state of the house used to upset her. It's one reason she was very happy not to return to her student accommodation between December and April.

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