[Colin Day]

I cleaned a property the other day for a tenant in his absence. His landlady turned up unexpected just as I had finished cleaning the carpets and started on the oven. She spotted that I wore over-shoes and asked if I could give her a few pairs as she had some prospective tenants coming to look around. I was happy to let her have a few pairs and got on with the next task.

The next thing I knew, there was an almighty thud as the middle aged lady looking around the property, fell down about 6 stairs after slipping with the over-shoes on.

I felt really bad today as I learned that she's actually broken her arm. But, the tenant I cleaned for has warned me that this landlady will maybe try to stitch me up for it, should a claim be made.

 

[Paul Moss]

Oops, hope its not bad news Colin.

[Craig - CW Window Cleaning]

Wow that sounds like you may have a problem
i have often thought about getting some disposable cardboard signs made to warn of damp carpet and possibility of slipping to leave at each clean.
I hope it works out ok for you colin.

Craig

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Colin, I hope this doesn't come back on you but a damp carpet is a reasonable consequence   of having it cleaned, walking on it wearing plastic bags is not and this is where we leave ourselves open if accidents occur.

Cheers

Doug

[Mark Lawrence]

fell down about 6 flights of stairs after slipping with the over-shoes on.

 

6 flights! Even a stuntman would have trouble with that lol! You sure you dont mean 6 steps? Hope it doesnt go pearshape for you anyway mate. At the end of the day, you were not acting incompetently.

Mark

[Colin Day]

I feel sorry for the lady who fell down 6 "Steps". But as far as I am concerned, the landlady told the lady to wear the over-shoes. I never even spoke to the people so I assume that the person "THEY" would see at fault would be the landlady.

I did actually advise her that she should ideally wait until the carpets were completely dry before she walked on them, but like with most of this situation, it's her word against mine.

I spoke to the landlady tonight who said that the husband of the hurt lady had said "These things happen!" But I know she's worried that there will be consequences....

[KLEENAWAY]

You didnt give her the over-shoes and you warned her not to walk on a damp carpet with them....im sure of it   Would be hard to prove otherwise  

Danny

[KLEENAWAY]

Ahhh sorry colin i miss read that then mate...i thought you meant the landlady slipped when it was just you two in the house alone

[mike roberts]

We were warned about this by prochem many years ago. Do you point it out to all your customers poss dangers... ie. hoses, damp floor blah blah ?
If you do every time I believe you are covered.
As if she says you didnt tell her, you can refer to all of your other customers...
(think that makes sense!)

That said mayb we all should place warning signs as previous post (seems over the top but this day and age..)- if it was a commercial prop hard floor you would be expected to use hazard signs...

Hope it works out ok
Mike

[David_Annable]

Hi

Sorry to here that , it could happen to anybody.

Dave

[clinton]

Hope things work out for you colin..As her hubby said these things happen and she might not take it futher mate..

[from edge2edge]

Morning Colin as has been said here surely it isnt your fault as you didnt give the lady the shoes and say walk around the house please.............Best of luck and hold your ground..........Alan

[mathewl]

But be careful in the future. Before giving them permission just make sure to warn them about all the dangers.

[David_Annable]

Hi

To cover ourselves we should have a does & dont's document, thay we give them after the clean.

Dave

[John Kelly]

This is why it is important to carry out a pre-clean survey and have it signed by the person on site. On there it should have a customer care statement and warnings about possible dangers like this. I think the carpet cleaning industry needs to drag itself out of the dark ages and be a lot more professional in its approach.

[Colin Day]

This is why it is important to carry out a pre-clean survey and have it signed by the person on site. On there it should have a customer care statement and warnings about possible dangers like this. I think the carpet cleaning industry needs to drag itself out of the dark ages and be a lot more professional in its approach.

The landlady turned up out of the blue, so she wouldn't have been covered.

Actually, as she was leaving, she said "Don't tell my tenant I was here!"

I told him anyway and he went off his nut....

But I agree, my survey forms need to be revised although in actual fact, a good solicitor would rip it to shreds in any case... (Not literally of course... )

[John Kelly]

This thing about good solicitors etc is a red herring. If someone sues you and you can show that you took resonable steps to mitigate any danger and have a signature to prove they have been informed about do's and don'ts its very unlikely they would succeed.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

Had something very similar afew years ago. The person in question tried to claim. The fact that I had wet floor signs out saved my bacon and no claim could be made. I now ALKWAYS use wet floor signs...even in domestic properties.

[JandS]

Do people actually do survey forms?

John

[expro]

In commercial premises I have heard of cases where people have walked
off damp carpets and slipped on adjacent hard floors but not slipping on
carpet.

You are not responsible in this case Colin. The landlady is the one who handed
the shoes to the person looking round the premises.

Stick to your guns.