Employing a cleaner.

Chasing_cars

Hi there,

Can anyone help me clarify if I employ a cleaner on a bi-weekly basis I would need to register her/him with HMRC? I.e. I would I need to pay either or National Insurance or tax to use her service?

I have checked online and the jury seems to be out on this one so just need some help.

My worse case is to go with a cleaning agency and be done with these sort of problems.

It will be £9 p/h for 2-3 hours every 2 weeks, Sunday.

WantToBeSE

Hi.
I am a self-employed cleaner, so hopefully can help.
YOU dont have a responsibility to register her/him with the HMRC, thats something that we do ourselves.
If you dont want to hire someone who isnt declaring their income to HMRC, ask to see their UTR (although you wont need this, it's reassuring for you to know that they are actually self-employed).
It's also worth asking to see their PLI so that you know they are covered if they break anything.

£9 p/h is cheap! The agency i work with charges £12 p/h. I charge £10 p/h for private clients.
You'll find that those charging less that £9 p/h are generally NOT declaring their income.

angelsmomma

No you don't have to pay her NI or tax, She/he registers as self employed and is responsible for their own.

Edited as cross posted with WantToBeSE.

I too am self employed as a cleaner and would be pretty miffed if someone asked me for my UTR number if someone is only employing me for what amounts to one and a half hours a week paying me £13.50.

Agencies do charge more but it depends on whereabout you live how much is a reasonable charge. I charge between £8.50 and £10 depending on how much cleaning is needed. And yes I do declare all my income.

Chasing_cars

Well as previously stated jury is still out, so technically £9-£10 would be what I offer.

So if they are self-employed and cleaning for someone else chances are their UTR will be in order? unless she has 2 cash in hand jobs and not telling either.

But the responsibility doesn't lie on me in any stretch of the imagination?

PS: Thank you for taking the time out to reply, very helpful!

Mojisola

Chasing_cars wrote: »

It will be £9 p/h for 2-3 hours every 2 weeks, Sunday.

I pay £10 an hour during the week. You might need to offer more if you want someone to work on a Sunday.

WantToBeSE

Chasing_cars wrote: »

Well as previously stated jury is still out, so technically £9-£10 would be what I offer.

So if they are self-employed and cleaning for someone else chances are their UTR will be in order? unless she has 2 cash in hand jobs and not telling either.

But the responsibility doesn't lie on me in any stretch of the imagination?

PS: Thank you for taking the time out to reply, very helpful!

UTR is just a tax ref number. Although it is of no use to you, asking to see it will reassure you that the cleaner has done everything 'by the book'.
It doesnt matter (to you) if you are her only client, or if she has 15 other clients, as long as she can fit you all in.

As Mojisola said, you may have to pay more for someone to work a Sunday.

Chasing_cars

All noted, thanks folks.

Have a lovely weekend

WantToBeSE

angelsmomma wrote: »

No you don't have to pay her NI or tax, She/he registers as self employed and is responsible for their own.

Edited as cross posted with WantToBeSE.

I too am self employed as a cleaner and would be pretty miffed if someone asked me for my UTR number if someone is only employing me for what amounts to one and a half hours a week paying me £13.50.

Agencies do charge more but it depends on whereabout you live how much is a reasonable charge. I charge between £8.50 and £10 depending on how much cleaning is needed. And yes I do declare all my income.

But if someone approached you saying that they want to make sure that you are doing everything legally, surely you wouldnt be 'miffed'? Or maybe thats just me?

Valli

Just to check - with this being a Sunday job - is this in a private residence or on business premises?

Chasing_cars

Valli wrote: »

Just to check - with this being a Sunday job - is this in a private residence or on business premises?

It is my private home?

HappyMJ

Chasing_cars wrote: »

Hi there,

Can anyone help me clarify if I employ a cleaner on a bi-weekly basis I would need to register her/him with HMRC? I.e. I would I need to pay either or National Insurance or tax to use her service?

I have checked online and the jury seems to be out on this one so just need some help.

My worse case is to go with a cleaning agency and be done with these sort of problems.

It will be £9 p/h for 2-3 hours every 2 weeks, Sunday.

Even if you employed her as an employee there would be no tax or NI to pay. Generally cleaners like this are self employed and they sort their own tax and NI obligations. Do get a receipt for all payments... Any law abiding trader won't mind providing a receipt.