Search Sort Posts:  Oldest to newest Newest to oldest

26/09/2006, 12:18 Tia Joined on 25/09/2006 Posts 50 Cleaners/Caretakers 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.    Report

26/09/2006, 19:47 DZ Joined on 23/09/2005 London/Languedoc Roussillon Posts 258 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers 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!    Report

26/09/2006, 23:42 Owens88 Joined on 01/11/2004 66 and East Midlands Posts 712 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers 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)    Report

27/09/2006, 17:44 DZ Joined on 23/09/2005 London/Languedoc Roussillon Posts 258 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers 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    Report

27/09/2006, 19:45 Smiley Joined on 15/11/2005 Posts 156 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers 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.    Report

27/09/2006, 20:04 DZ Joined on 23/09/2005 London/Languedoc Roussillon Posts 258 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers 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?    Report

27/09/2006, 20:18 Smiley Joined on 15/11/2005 Posts 156 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers   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.    Report

27/09/2006, 20:38 Owens88 Joined on 01/11/2004 66 and East Midlands Posts 712 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers 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)    Report

28/09/2006, 12:40 Tia Joined on 25/09/2006 Posts 50 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers 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    Report

28/09/2006, 16:26 Smiley Joined on 15/11/2005 Posts 156 Re: Cleaners/Caretakers Hi Tia, very simple really. I live in the UK and so insured through 'Insurance For Homes Abroad' My insurance covers people working at the house and domestic staff. It also offers public liability etc, buildings and contents cover. The cost depends on what level re-build and contents value you have. Mine costs me £188.00 PA including swimming pool cover.    Report

Page 1 of 2 (20 items) 1 2 >

France Forum » Owning/Running ... » Gite Owners » Cleaners/Caretakers

(Quick links) Forums Home |- Search Forums |- Active Topics |- Unanswered Posts User Options |- Sign In |- Join this community |- Forgot Password About This Forum (READ ONLY) |- About This Forum Moving |- Finding/Owning French Property |- Making the Move From Outside the EU |- Long-Term Letting |- Employment Vacancies in France Legal and Finance |- French Legal Issues |- French Finance Building and Renovation |- House Renovations |-- Working with Wood Living |- Earning a Living |- Driving |- French Education |- Pets |- Animal Welfare, Rescue & Protection |- French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone |- Health |-- Changes to Healthcare Entitlement, CPAM, CMU and Cartes Vitales |- Swimming Pools in France Owning/Running a Business |- French Artisans |- Gite Owners |- Hotel and Restaurant Owners |- B&B/Chambres d'Hôtes Owners Leisure and Pastimes |- Gardening |- Sport, Leisure and Pastimes |- Shopping |- French Antiques, Arts & Crafts |- Photography |- Motorcycling in France |- Books and Literature |- Getting Married in France |- Pregnancy and Birth French Culture |- French Food and Wine |- French Culture |- French Language |-- French Language FAQs and Useful Links |- Wildlife/Nature/Environment |- French History Travelling to/from France |- Travelling to/from France |- Latest Good Value Deals to/from France Holidays |- Holidays General Discussion |- The Complete France Post Bag |- The Lighter Side |- Other Topics |- Forum Technical Support |- Useful Links About France/French Living Regions |- HOTEL SEARCH |- Central |- North East |- North West |- Paris Ile de France |- South East |- South West |- East |- West |- Corsica and DOM-TOMs