10435 How trusting am I?

I just wanted to recount an experience which unfortunately happened to us recently. This year we have had a few of our friends renting our house and so this required the services of a cleaner, we were recommended a company who in turn recommended a local lady who subsequently came to visit us to discuss rates etc. She was very friendly (a bit too much) but seemed very geniune and someone I felt would do an excellent job. As i did not want to keep disturbing our neighbours for the keys we had a set made for her. After our stay she had two separate parties to clean up after for which she was paid 50 euros a time an amount which was more than what she would have earned at the agency.
I had a very worried neighbour ring me last week to inform that after the cleaner had visited 2 nights previous (3 weeks after the last guests) she had left on all outside lights on and all windows, shutter and patio door opened. I rang her straightaway to be told that she was only airing the place I told her quite frankly that this was no the way to do it and infd her that neighbours were going to the house to lock up. Within half an hour she text me to say that she would leav the keys with the neighbour (thereby ending the arrangement) It soon became apparent why as she had spent the night with her boyfriend on my bed (she being 36 with 3 kids) using mybabys cot sheets left the bathroom in a pig style state and unfinished food on the table and sneaking off at 6am the following morning (as seen by another neighbour) She has now left the keys at the propertyapologised for leaving the lights on and left me fuming. I will now have to change all locks and will be informing her boss about her behaviour but I really feel like visiting her home and confronting her which with my temper will no doubt end in fisticuffs but |I fear for my house and my neighbours also.
But unfortunately the incident will now make me very wary on who to trust which may not be a bad thing in itself, but I feel that I have only ever used the contacts for various things that my neighbours have recommended and the only time I do something off my own back this is what happens. It just goes to show it is who you know :no::

Category

Property Sales/Rental Advice

How awful!

That is a real abuse of trust - but what great neighbours you have to call you and let you know.

Jojo, the positive thing is that you have great neighbours who look after your property. Unfortunately, this type of nasty experiences just happen and being a person who trusts fellow human beings it is difficult to accept them. You will have to change the locks but give a new set of keys to the neighbours and a little present to remind them of how much you appreciate their care and concern. And next time ask them to recommend someone.... possibly, they will be delighted to help you.

Jojo - don't confront her - chalk it down to experience. You are not there all the time. Let it be.

A similar thing happened a few years back with our neighbours. In that case, it was the teenage son of a friend, who had been doing some gardening and had used the house as a love nest. He ran up big phone bills too. Very out of character, because he was from a good family.

I think Julian is right. Its best to separate the anger you feel at the moral depravity of the act from the actual consequences. Lets face it, even decent people are tempted to do stupid things when in the throes of passion.