does this sound reasonable re hiring a cleaner?

[AntiHop]

We'd like to hire a weekly cleaner. We've found a local company who have availability.

The agency tell us we should pay the cleaner directly £13.25 an hour. The cleaner then pays their own tax. The agency charge a small weekly to us.

Firstly, it doesn't sit right with me that the cleaners are paying their own tax and therefore self-employed. Surely if they're self-employed, they should be at liberty to pick and choose their work, not be tied to a timetable through the agency?

Secondly, £13 seems low before tax. Especially as we're in London. We'd pay more, but how much is reasonable for gross pay?

Any thoughts from cleaners or people who've hired cleaners please?

Bump

I pay my cleaner £15 an hour, live in Manchester. She actually owns the business and has several other people working for her and I assume they get less than £15 an hour. She brings all her own equipment and cleaning materials. This is pretty much the going rate for this area, but I guess London rates would be more like £18 to £20 an hour.

I’m a cleaner. They should employ her really. That’s v low ££-wise.

@AntiHop Are you expected to provide all supplies and equipment for the cleaner to use, or do they have to bring their own?

Im not completely sure but when I lived in London and hired a cleaner through an agency I think it was a similar set up and they were not well paid. Moved to Yorkshire and was surprised how much more cleaners charged up here but I think they do need to make more especially if doing own tax etc

Sounds dodgy to me. Seeing as she is effectively SE and responsible for her own tax and NI contributions you may as well come to private agreement with her and pay the going rate £15-£20 ph directly.

When we had a cleaner through an agency in East London some years ago, we topped up her pay in cash to London living wage. But I'd say it's better to hire direct if the agency are lying such a low wage.

Most good cleaners will work for themselves and charge accordingly. Rates vary wildly!

Depends a lot. We had this set-up for a while and the cleaner made clear to us that she is s/c and uses the agency for convenience for her as well. They provided insurance in case of a breakage, they organised holiday and illness cover. We supplied equipment and material.

I would check with the cleaner directly then.

We now use an agency and pay them and the cleaners are employed. We pay £15/hour in SE London and provide equipment and materials but my normal cleaner acutally brings her own cloths and gloves.