Cancellation rights: what cleaners must tell clients
Most domestic cleaning contracts agreed in the client's home, online or by phone carry a 14-day right to cancel. Get it wrong and you may not be paid for work done.
Three rules
- Tell clients about their right to cancel before they're bound.
- Don't start within 14 days unless the client expressly asks; for off-premises contracts the request must be in writing, such as an email or text.
- If they cancel after you've started at their request, they pay a proportionate amount, provided you gave the required information.
If you didn't give the cancellation information, or didn't get a proper request to start early, the client doesn't have to pay for work done in the cancellation period. Business clients aren't covered by this right.
The full detail, worked examples and templates are in The Clean Start. Or work out your rate with the free price calculator.
Sources: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, reg. 36. Checked October 2026.
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