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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

Cleaner damage

42 replies

jugglingmonkey · 27/07/2015 12:05

Just a quick one, my cleaner damaged/shrank a few of my delicate items in the tumble dryers few weeks back (and broke a photo frame). I'd left a note saying do not put washing in the dryer. Her English is basic but ok.

Afterwards I contacted the agency who apologised profusely and asked for the value of the items. I thought they handled it very professionally.

The total amount equalled the same as our monthly bill, so we agreed to call it quits, I just wouldn't pay the last invoice (and went on to find a new cleaner).

Now the agency still haven't returned my keys. They now say they want to take away the damaged items. That the cleaner responsible is paying the damage and so only fair she should take the clothes.

Someone please tell me this is crazy? I'd far rather donate them to charity, or even to a friend! They don't now belong to the cleaners do they?? Surely an agency should have insurance for this?

OP posts:

KoalaDownUnder · 27/07/2015 12:11

Yes? They've paid for the clothes (insurance or otherwise, doesn't matter), so they own them.

If you won't give them the damaged items, how do they even know your claim is legit?

iwantavuvezela · 27/07/2015 12:14

Yes agree with Koala, they refunded you for the items, so the cleaner could at least have the items she has effectively paid for. I don't understand why you would rather give to w friend or donate rather than to the person who has admitted liability, and paid for them. I am sure losing s months salary would be tough for anyone.

Original poster

jugglingmonkey · 27/07/2015 12:15

I've said she's welcome to see them/take any photos when she drops off the keys.

She isn't but in my clothes... It's compensation, surely?? Not the same thing!

OP posts:

Original poster

jugglingmonkey · 27/07/2015 12:16

*isn't buying

OP posts:

KoalaDownUnder · 27/07/2015 12:18

If you break a $100 vase and give the owner $100 to replace it, you then own the pieces of the broken vase. Same principle here.

Original poster

jugglingmonkey · 27/07/2015 12:19

Really?? But this is a company paying compensation - different I think, no?

OP posts:

AnyoneForTennis · 27/07/2015 12:24

Why are you so determined to hang onto them? Did you exaggerate the damage?

Original poster

jugglingmonkey · 27/07/2015 12:27

No, but I'm pregnant so it's hard to determine whether I might get into a particular jumper again... Two of the items are underwear, I don't want to hand those out to my cleaner!

OP posts:

Original poster

jugglingmonkey · 27/07/2015 12:28

Also going to post this in legal matters, interested in what the professional opinion is!

OP posts:

Epilepsyhelp · 27/07/2015 12:31

So you want the money for it but also want to keep it to wear again? That's not really fair is it.

Lezprechaun · 27/07/2015 12:32

I agree. If she has paid the full value for the damaged items then they are now hers. If the items are damaged but still usable as you suggest she should have paid some compensation but not the full value as you havnt lost the full value of the items. I think you need to agree a refund or hand the items over.

SaltyandSweet · 27/07/2015 12:38

You shouldn't be asking for "compensation" for something you clearly think you can still use. Pretty obvious really

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 27/07/2015 12:41

The cleaner has in all likelihood had it taken out of her wages

Floggingmolly · 27/07/2015 12:43

Compensation is for the loss of the items, or their replacement value. Can you seriously not understand that you don't get to keep the original items as well?

Floggingmolly · 27/07/2015 12:45

If the clothes are still wearable you've got a bloody cheek claiming for them . The cleaner has had the value deducted from her salary; and you want to keep it in case it'll still fit at the end of your pregnancy???
Shame on you.

Epilepsyhelp · 27/07/2015 12:47

To be fair I can't see a legal basis for you having to give them the items, they needed to agree that at the time if that's how they wanted it to work.

Original poster

jugglingmonkey · 27/07/2015 12:51

One jumper that is definitely damaged and has shrank, but I might squeeze into, post baby... The rest is damaged without doubt. Some of these items are my underwear FGS, why should the cleaner be able to remove them from my possession?? It's the principle I'm interested in. If it's compensation, and the agency do have insurance - or so their website says, then why does said cleaner get to take the clothes??

OP posts:

ImperialBlether · 27/07/2015 12:54

I imagine they are checking that you are telling the truth. You can't have both the money and the item - how is that fair?

UrethraFranklin1 · 27/07/2015 12:56

They just want to know you weren't lying to get the last months bill free. Seems sensible.

gamerchick · 27/07/2015 12:59

Are you pulling a fast one?

If that's what it seems here then you can be sure it'll say the same thing to the agency and the cleaner who has lost a months wages over it.

AnyoneForTennis · 27/07/2015 13:04

So it's maternity underwear?

SuburbanRhonda · 27/07/2015 13:04

Underwear is just underwear, surely? And they've obviously been washed.

Unless it's "special" underwear, OP?

Original poster

jugglingmonkey · 27/07/2015 13:09

I don't want the poor cleaner to pay for it! It was a mistake but the agency claim to have insurance!

I want to know why I'm being asked to handover my smalls if they've got insurance! They are welcome to see the items, then they can go in the bin/to charity.

They have only started this since I asked for my keys back. Up until now they couldn't have been more apologetic.

OP posts:

snala · 27/07/2015 13:10

You can't claim compensation for something that you are still able to use op!
If it's still wearable why do you need compensating?

titchy · 27/07/2015 13:10

Technically as the agency has given you full compensation the clothes belong to them. Clearly an agency has no need for your soiled underwear and has said the cleaner can have them. They are no longer yours. Unless you are prepared to give the compensation back?

OP you know if you have a car accident and your car is a write-off - you do understand that when the insurance company recompenses you for your loss, that you don't then get to keep the car as well? It's exactly the same. If you accept recompense for a damaged item, said item no longer belongs to you.

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