North London, who is cleaning your flat?
February 14, 2020 6:57 AM   Subscribe

How do I find someone reliable to clean my (North London) flat? I don't want to use a cleaning 'agency' which doesn't protect its staff or its customers properly.

I've used agencies in the past, but really don't like the sham around liabilities.

The last cleaner ended up stealing from me, and trying to hold the cleaning company liable for this (or even trying to point out hey, you might not want to send this person to anyone else's flat!) revealed that agencies have zero legal responsibility. Technically speaking, the cleaner's contract is with me as the person paying them directly; and the agency does literally nothing except collect what amounts to an introduction fee on a weekly basis.

I am perfectly happy to hold the contract and liability directly. I would be thrilled to pay this person a living wage in return for their service. I just want someone to come in a couple of times a week and sort out the detritus of my life - cleaning, load the dishwasher, fold clothes, pet the cats.

But, if not an agency, where should I be looking for such a person?!
posted by citands to Home & Garden (4 answers total)
 
Can you get recommendations from friends/acquaintances/co-workers who live in the area? If you have kids, other parents from their school might also be able to refer someone?
posted by EndsOfInvention at 7:17 AM on February 14, 2020


Coworker recommendations or local Facebook group would be my first ports of call, my mother recently found a cleaner through a neighbourhood Facebook group (UK but a different part of the country).
posted by terretu at 8:26 AM on February 14, 2020


In my bit of Kent, local cleaners advertise their services incessantly on NextDoor.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 8:43 AM on February 14, 2020


I too am in North London and have a fantastic cleaner who is not part of an agency. I found her through a local Facebook group so I would really recommend that if there is a good one for your immediate area. Good luck!
posted by Lotto at 9:00 AM on February 14, 2020


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