Cleaning Contract (Domestic) (A238)

Explanatory Notes

This Cleaning Contract is a straightforward document designed primarily for use when a business is providing domestic cleaning services for home owners.  It can be used for commercial cleaning although we recommend the more comprehensive document A196 for office cleaning.

The agreement consists of a one page letter to the client setting out the key terms – charges, start date etc. – plus Terms of Business and, if needed, there is also a Schedule containing job specific details.  Once the details have been agreed they can be set out in the one page Letter Agreement and/or the Schedule.  The Terms of Business appear in two formats – in a one-page format and in a standard text, giving you a choice of the form to present to your clients.  The one page form could be printed on the back of invoices, if required.

SPECIFIC COMMENTS ON TERMS OF BUSINESS

OUR SERVICES

This refers to the services which are identified in detail in a schedule and makes it clear that a designated cleaner will be provided to the client.

OUR CLEANERS

This is designed to reassure clients of the careful vetting of staff by the firm and deals with a replacement cleaner if the designated one is not available.

CONTRACT PERIOD

Unless otherwise agreed the initial period is 4 weeks and it will then continue until 30 days notice is given by the firm or the client.

ACCESS & KEYS

The client will give access at the agreed times and provide a key and details of alarm codes on a confidential basis.

CHARGES & PAYMENT

The fees are set out in the agreement, and this paragraph sets out the standard payment terms, with the client being liable for interest on late payment. Credit or debit card is referred to as this may be the preferred payment method.

CANCELLATION

If the client wants to cancel a booking without giving adequate notice, the charges will be due.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & OUT OF HOURS WORK

Cleaning staff are not expected to work on public holidays unless agreed.

MAINTAINING AND MONITORING STANDARDS

Any good cleaning company needs to make it clear to clients that standards will be maintained and any slipshod work dealt with and this paragraph is designed to deal with this.

TERMINATION

The standard notice period is 30 days, but non-payment or breach of contract by the client entitles the firm to terminate the contract at any time.

NON-SOLICITATION

This is intended to stop the client from offering the firm’s cleaners a job during the contract and for 6 months after it finishes.  There is compensation payable by the client for breach of this clause by the client.

FORCE MAJEURE

The firm is not liable if unforeseen circumstances (“force majeure”) prevent it from providing the services.

INSURANCE, LOSS & DAMAGE

The firm accepts liability for damage caused to the client’s property but on the basis that the cost will be recovered from its public liability insurance.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

It is always sensible for a firm to limit liability. Our wording is intended to avoid claims for indirect losses as well as limit overall liability to the client to a maximum amount, which is likely to be related to the fees payable. No sensible service provider earning a few hundred pounds a month wants to risk a claim for several thousand pounds if something goes wrong.  Legal advice is recommended here as if the wording is too restrictive it might be treated by a court as being unfair, when the client is a consumer and not a business.  But reasonable limits are likely to be effective.

LAW & DISPUTES

This specifies English law and English courts resolve any dispute but there is also an option for settlement through negotiation and mediation.