Bromley Council warns residents of gardener and cleaner scams

April 16, 2026

Bromley Council is urging residents to be on alert for doorstep criminals posing as gardeners and high-pressure cleaners. Bromley Trading Standards has issued a warning following reports of individuals cold-calling at homes, using aggressive tactics to secure work, and subsequently defrauding residents.

Warning over unsolicited traders

As the weather improves, leading to an increase in demand for gardening and outdoor maintenance, Trading Standards anticipates a rise in doorstep crime. Recent incidents highlight how these criminals persuade residents to withdraw significant amounts of cash for work that is either unfinished or never carried out.

In one reported case in Mottingham, a resident was pressured into withdrawing nearly £400 in cash for initial gardening work. The trader then demanded an additional £500 to £600 upfront for further services, after which they failed to return. A separate incident in Bromley involved high-pressure cleaning services, where the doorstep criminals became confrontational when neighbours intervened to protect a vulnerable resident.

These scams often begin with a small job to demonstrate supposed effectiveness, before escalating to pressure residents into agreeing to have entire areas cleaned or maintained. Claims of "special" or "robust" cleaning solutions are frequently made, despite high-pressure cleaning potentially spreading dirt and causing damage to property.

The work is often rushed, overpriced, or poorly executed, leaving victims with little recourse for redress and facing additional costs to rectify the issues. Doorstep criminals rely on quick decisions and may present themselves professionally, sometimes using online advertising or branded materials, making them difficult to distinguish from legitimate businesses.

How to protect yourself

Bromley Trading Standards advises residents to conduct thorough research and be highly selective when seeking traders for home maintenance, including gardening and cleaning services. It is recommended to avoid dealing with doorstep traders altogether. Residents are encouraged to find reliable traders through schemes like Trading Standards Checked.

Key advice includes:

Do not agree to work based solely on leaflets, websites, or social media posts without conducting proper checks.
Avoid paying large sums of money upfront; instead, schedule payments as work progresses.
Do not be rushed into decisions without seeking independent advice.

Residents should obtain at least three written quotes based on a clear brief. It is important to check references, reliable reviews, and previous work. Verifying company details via Companies House and confirming any claimed trade affiliations is also recommended. Always obtain a written contract with a full 14-day cooling-off period and verify insurance. Be cautious of requests for cash-only payments or payments to individuals not directly associated with the business. Question claims of immediate availability. Looking out for neighbours, especially those who are isolated or vulnerable, is also crucial.

Reporting Scams

If there is an immediate risk of financial loss to a scam or doorstep criminal, residents should contact the police directly on 999. For advice and assistance, Citizens Advice can be contacted on 0808 223 1133 or via their website. If you believe you have been scammed via a bank payment, contact your bank's fraud team and explore the Toolkit and UK Finance Authorised Push Payment Fraud guidance for information on recovering lost funds. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) website offers advice on hiring gardeners.

Fraud can be reported by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting the Report Fraud website. Residents can request a "No Cold Caller" sticker from Trading Standards by emailing trading.standards@bromley.gov.uk. Further advice is available on the Bromley Council website. For general information on scams in various languages, visit the Friends Against Scams website.

Bromley Trading Standards maintains a fair-trader directory to help residents find trustworthy traders. More information can be found at http://www.bromley.gov.uk/tradingstandardschecked.

Author

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk

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