To object to being paid like this

Change that to 'money in full'.

A firm text to him 'please in future have the money ready for me, rather than expect me to go to you, cap in hand. Otherwise I will not be comfortable continuing with this arrangement.'

What have you to lose? He'd be no great loss as a client anyway.

I feel for you. Hate it when people pull shit like this.

Very annoying

I'm sure you can replace him but understand £30 is a lot to lose each week

Text him and say you are getting all clients to pay by bacs and needs to be paid before you start

If nonpayment you won't be turning up

And the £34 one why don't you pay bacs

So many cleaners want cash now - not sure if this is a tax fiddle (not saying you are op) but surely easier for bacs into account then going to get cash every week and being short - which is pathetic as he knows it's £30 every week

Implement a late payment fee and a 2% bank transfer charge. I’ll bet he has the cash then.

I realise with new cleaner as I am here I always pay her (notes and coins) when she says she is going.
I do have it ready to go.

It does annoy me to have to keep finding £1 -they charge £34/2 hours. I do wonder if they do it so most people give them £35 and they keep the change.

It's a weird relationship where I contacted one lady about a cleaner who has a team so not even got my actual cleaners number.

When it comes to payment time, could you hand him an envelope and then fiddle with your phone? If he tries to hand you note by pain staking note, just gesture to the envelope and go back to your phone.

Then pick it up and count it. ‘You’re short, again, Mr Douche’ or ‘well done, you’ve managed to count correctly this week’

Give him written terms and conditions. Payment due on the day of the work. Interest per day on any late payment. One reminder only will be sent but the per day interest will continue to accrue. Offer payment by bank transfer/standing order.

If he’s continually short, I really think you should consider terminating your agreement with him. He’s trying to pay you less than your known prices.

if you don’t want to lose him say
“I can do x, y and z with £30 but if you pay £20 then I can only manage x and y, moving forward”

it’s not easy OP.

Find another client. There’s huge demand for good cleaners.

I leave an envelope out with cleaner’s name on it, the amount, and the weeks I’m paying for (I pay monthly in advance as it’s a faff to get cash out).

“Fred - you always seem a bit nervous about paying and never have enough money. Are you sure you can afford a cleaner. It is ok if you can’t - just let me know.”

Find another client OP , that's not a respectful way to treat you

Tell him at the beginning, that all of your other clients leave the cash out on the side for you and you would appreciate it if he did this. If he stands there counting it again at the end, say that because your time has finished, you will be adding on an extra £5 to cover the time standing there!

Could you use Revolute? Don't leave the house until you see money in. Remind him with 15 mins to go so you are not delayed. But l would dump him as soon as possible

That is weird OP, the cleaner I know is really in demand, so she doesn’t put up with clients she doesn’t want to work for. Have you said clients usually leave the money waiting for you? That might give him a hint. But if you don’t feel comfortable then replace him as a client tbh.

He’s a cunt. Please find a new client to replace him asap. (if you can)

And yes, absolutely tell he needs to have the right money ready on time.

This. He's lording it over you in some gross power play. You don't need a client this bad. Get rid and tell him why, it'll strip him of his power trip.

I’d be upping my fee just for him - an added wanker tax

Then trying to find another client. I pay my cleaner by bank transfer easier for her and me.

Ick.
Bank transfer and up your fee.

As others have said, he's a total dickhead.

Making you having to ask for it (he fucking knows what he's doing) and then the note counting (I wouldn't do that in a shop, why would I do that to my cleaner).

Either hand him an envelope at the start of the clean, or insist on a bank transfer if you can.

Yeah but you're not wrong - he's a creep.

Is there a reason why they pay you in cash? Surely bank transfer would be easier for you and your clients? They'll have to remember to keep getting cash out and few people routinely carry cash any more.

Why don't you tell all your clients that you're switching to bank transfer and suggest they set up a standing order so your pay arrives at the beginning of the day you're due to clean for them? Then they won't be able to 'forget' or mess you about paying the full amount.

“My rates are increasing from next week. Please have £35 ready for me at the beginning of the next clean.” And look for a new client.

Outrageous!

If I don’t have the right money, either I pop out to get cash or I round it up and tell her I’ll deduct next week. Never, ever underpay. I always leave cash on the kitchen work surface.
Good cleaners are hard to find, and need to be valued and respected. I’m sure you can find someone who will value you more!

(I love my cleaner, she always brings me doughnuts or other goodies from her other job). I would never show her anything but respect.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is creepy. I'd fire him immediately. There's something very weird about that behaviour.

FIRE HIM. One of the most important things to learn as a self-employed person is knowing when to fire a client.

This.