Being paid for end of tenancy cleaning job

[Nemeziss]

Hi there, I've been running my domestic cleaning service since 2007. I am a sole trader working on my own at local homes.

I got offered an end of tenancy cleaning job. It would be a one off. The tenants have contacted me after someone has recommended me to them. I have accepted the job.

I am wondering how should I go about the payment to make sure I DO get paid after I clean the property? I gave the tenants a quote to which they have agreed. They are moving out on the 9th Dec. I need to clean the property by the 11th Dec. They'll give me the key to let myself in.

How can I make sure they will pay me once I finish the job? There is nothing there to stop them vanishing and not paying me after I do the job. Should I hold on to the key until I get paid?

I do know the landlord but I wouldn't want to get him involved if something went wrong as it's my neighbor. Worst case scenario I would have to ask him to withhold the deposit until I get paid I guess.

Anyone with the experience of end of tenancy cleaning and how you get paid?

Many thanks

 

[MBE2017]

Here is an idea, ask for payment first.

 

[Nemeziss]

Here is an idea, ask for payment first.

Is that how it's normally done with end of tenancy cleans?

 

[MBE2017]

Is that how it's normally done with end of tenancy cleans?

I haven’t a clue, but fail to understand the problem even if it is not.

Time and time again on the forum people give away their time and effort, often not to be paid. There is nothing to say YOU have to offer credit, particularly in such dangerous times.

 

[Picture Bute]

I haven’t a clue, but fail to understand the problem even if it is not.

Time and time again on the forum people give away their time and effort, often not to be paid. There is nothing to say YOU have to offer credit, particularly in such dangerous times.

Correct (and very good) advice

If the client expects credit facilities from you (especially when they've already moved), let them go elsewhere.

 

[4getaboutit]

In domestic cleaning it’s always a good idea to try to get paid first. In my cleaning biz we ask for payment up front or a deposit with the rest cash on the day on completion of the job. We never invoice and hope to get paid weeks/months later. We’ve learned this the hard way, especially with end of tenancies where the person is moving out. If someone insists on not paying until weeks later we make our excuses and refuse the job, as I say we learned the hard way. You will lose a few genuine customers who are nervous about giving deposits but we lose nearly all of the dodgy ones. We’ve only have two non payers in about 10,000 jobs

 

[Nemeziss]

In domestic cleaning it’s always a good idea to try to get paid first. In my cleaning biz we ask for payment up front or a deposit with the rest cash on the day on completion of the job. We never invoice and hope to get paid weeks/months later. We’ve learned this the hard way, especially with end of tenancies where the person is moving out. If someone insists on not paying until weeks later we make our excuses and refuse the job, as I say we learned the hard way. You will lose a few genuine customers who are nervous about giving deposits but we lose nearly all of the dodgy ones. We’ve only have two non payers in about 10,000 jobs

In all the years I've been cleaning I've always invoiced once a month and never had any problem but that was with regular weekly cleaning not one offs

 

[DontAsk]

Can't the letting agent/landlord deduct the cleaning fee when they return the tenant's deposit?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

but that was with regular weekly cleaning

and this is not.

 

[IanSuth]

Can't the letting agent/landlord deduct the cleaning fee when they return the tenant's deposit?

I read it that the tenant was contracting for the cleaning and not the landlord/agent so that would complicate things getting 3rd parties involved (although i think i would be tempted to do a really good job and leave a business card/flyer for the landlord/agent/new tenants in the hope of more business

 

[TeaRoomLady]

Hi there, I've been running my domestic cleaning service since 2007. I am a sole trader working on my own at local homes.

I got offered an end of tenancy cleaning job. It would be a one off. The tenants have contacted me after someone has recommended me to them. I have accepted the job.

I am wondering how should I go about the payment to make sure I DO get paid after I clean the property? I gave the tenants a quote to which they have agreed. They are moving out on the 9th Dec. I need to clean the property by the 11th Dec. They'll give me the key to let myself in.

How can I make sure they will pay me once I finish the job? There is nothing there to stop them vanishing and not paying me after I do the job. Should I hold on to the key until I get paid?

I do know the landlord but I wouldn't want to get him involved if something went wrong as it's my neighbor. Worst case scenario I would have to ask him to withhold the deposit until I get paid I guess.

Anyone with the experience of end of tenancy cleaning and how you get paid?

Many thanks

 

[TeaRoomLady]

As a tenant, I’ve had to pay for this cleaning, several times. I’ve always had to pay upfront.

 

[Nemeziss]

Thank you everyone for all the advice. I have asked the tenant to pay upfront and they are happy with it so problem solved.