Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

Gite Owners

Cleaners/Caretakers

Tia 26/09/2006, 12:18
I have recently purchased a house in France and are thinking of renting it out. How do you go about finding someone to clean the house each time someone has occupied it and look after it and what sort of costs could I expect to pay.

Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

DZ 26/09/2006, 19:47
This topic interests me as well and some cursory searches of this Forum have resulted in lots of information. From what I can see prices quoted vary between 11 - 30 euros per hour and there are conflicting opinions as to whether you can employ neighbours to do that job informally, or whether a registered cleaning company should be used. Any updated advice on the subject would be welcome!

Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

Owens88 26/09/2006, 23:42

I think that the difference is related to:

*Are you renting weeks out or merely wanting a minder for you?

*Are you well connected locally, good with 'phone French' and with some flexible time if owt goes wrong ?

And BTW dAVIESZAK whereabouts are you.? My place is also in 66. See web link.

Good luck

John

John Owens

www.Goodviews.co.uk

In East Midlands and France (66)

Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

DZ 27/09/2006, 17:44

Thanks for replying, John (fantastic views from your villa, by the way!). I am in dept. 34.

I need to find someone locally who would be the keyholder and who could prepare the house for occasional visits from friends and colleagues (ie. not on a weekly basis). I have met a few nice local people and could ask if they knew of anyone suitable to do such a job - but of course, it's always a bit risky (and most probably not legal!). I am really not sure of the local going rates for such jobs either!

Anna

Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

Smiley 27/09/2006, 19:45
I had the same problem when we got our house. I posted on the forums and got some responses. In the end I got a British ex-pat who lives in the village to do my keyholding (pool cleaning,translation and communications too). A local lady who cleans the post office to carry out the laundry & cleaning service and a local gardener to come in for one hour every Saturday to mow the lawn. All recommended by the Mairie. Total cost per changeover is around 70-80 euros. They are all very reliable and only work when needed. I consider it money well spent. The French / English speaking caretaker is the key. But employing French locals rather than just ex-pats was a must for me to help with the P.R. side of things. I didn't want to have 'just employing their own' levelled at me. This way I put something directly into local employment, as well as the economy too.

Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

DZ 27/09/2006, 20:04
So would you say that the first step is to go to la Mairie and ask for recommendations? Would one have to enter into formal things like contracts, get insurance etc or can such jobs be treated less informally and just paid for hours/jobs done?

Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

Smiley 27/09/2006, 20:18

Mairie is an option, depends on what works for you.

My gardener has a siret number, caretaker is pretty informal but as he is retired I doubt if he would earn enough to fall into tax, Cleaner is self employed. All covered by my Public liability insurance as I get receipts.

I only pay for hours worked.

Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

Owens88 27/09/2006, 20:38
I also asked at the Mairie. Came to naught in the end but was the correct thing to try in my eyes.

John Owens

www.Goodviews.co.uk

In East Midlands and France (66)

Re: Cleaners/Caretakers

Tia 28/09/2006, 12:40
Smiley, I have asked a question regarding Public liability under another section but no one has come back to me yet. How did you go about this and does it cost very much and how do you know how much to apply for

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