To wish my cleaner would stop with the reminders?

[JMSA]

I have a cleaner who cleans my flat on a fortnightly basis. Usually I'm at work when she comes, but we've always got on really well on the occasions I've caught her. I'm really considerate and always have my place tidy and ready for her to clean. I'm always flexible and genuinely really appreciate her.
One thing I've genuinely never let her down with is payment. The money will always be transferred on the evening of the day she has come. I've never let her down on this, not once.
Today I bumped into her as she was leaving my place and I was getting home from work. Two hours later, when I was in the middle of making the kids' dinner, there was a message from her asking me to pay. I don't think there's any need for this, when I'm trustworthy and reliable every single time.
I don't set up a standing order because I'd rather just pay on the day she comes. This keeps me right in case she ever has to change day.
AIBU?

Ask her if she would prefer cash left for her.

I don’t think either of you are wrong but it would save you both feeling uncomfortable/annoyed if you could discuss a better system that works best for both of you.

I pay her in advance on the day she does it. My cleaner told me i am the only one of her 4 clients that pays on time - so probably your cleaner is worried as she finds the same and therefore chases. I think YABU for not immediately paying.

I think she's probably just texting everyone - like an informal invoice.

I don't understand why anyone would find it grating, unless the wording is aggressive or pushy. Surely it's just an aide memoir (especially if she doesnt physically see every client) to ensure she confirms the clean happened and therefore gets paid.

I expect she texts everyone - whether they always pay on time, or not.

Most cleaning companies here ask for payment before they leave the premises

I would imagine it's automated, who has time to sit and message clients individually? No offence will be meant,

Honestly, people are so annoying that I would demand the money in my account 24 hours in advance to secure the appointment.

I would aim to leave cash out or pay as soon as she leaves or if like you mentioned she's lovely pay her upon arrival...

I think she's hinting that she thinks it would be easier if you left CASH £££££££.
Why not????????!
Are people allergic to good old Fashioned REAL MONEY,??????
TO give cash would be the kindest thing.
If you don't TRUST giving cash. Maybe get a new cleaner.

I'm not sure if this was a one off (as your OP would suggest) or happens every time (as your title suggests).

Anyway, maybe use it as tool to initiate a discussion as to how she would like a change in how she is paid. I presume this was discussed when you hired her but it's reasonable to review things (from both sides) periodically.

While I can see it's a bit annoying (is it a 'gentle reminder'?!) I think I would rise above it based on what PPs have said about how disrespectful people can be when it comes to paying.

"Dear Lovely Cleaner, your text reminded me that it might be good to talk about how things are going; any problems or issues in the house, how you're paid." Something like that.

Behind the curtains?

Of all the tradespeople to hide from, the window cleaner must be the hardest - what with them peering in every single window in the house!

Our window cleaner always texts me for payment. I've never not paid him same day and he always messages to say when he's coming and leaves a written note. I think it's just part of his routine.

She maybe has a tight cash flow and depends on the money quickly, so worries about getting it promptly. I've got a cleaning business and most people either leave money on the day, pay the same day later on via bank, or a couple of days later and a select few by invoice.

Occasionally I have one or two clients that forget but I don't send a reminder about payment until 6 days after the clean, but when I first started, I was depending on payments within maybe 2 days to pay my bills on time, so she could just be concerned about something similar and not yet be at a stage where she can afford to wait.

Personally I wouldn't remind a client the same day on numerous occasions if that particular client always paid on time, but she's perhaps just more cautious and has a different policy and I suppose it depends on what issues she's maybe had with other people and uses that experience as reason for a blanket rule for all whether they intended to pay that day anyway or not.

Exactly, you would need to crawl up into the loft and keep very quiet.

And to think most of us have to work a month in arrears! 🙄

She’s lucky to be paid each day she works ! Most of us have to wait for payday once a month !

I think you should pay her straight after she has been.

I think the reminder is fair enough, she will need the money I assume.

Yes, YABU. Pay her promptly and she won’t need to send a reminder.

Yanbu, I'd find that irritating too.

She probably sees it like an invoice or at the cash desk when the cashier tells you how much it is.. a bit like a necessary step in the sequence of transactions.. she cleans.. asks for payment.. you pay.. she confirms that she will come next week.

I do find people are funny about paying for certain things and not others.. cleaners (and window cleaners) being one.. but also dog walkers, child minders, gardeners... but less so.. hair dressers, car mechanics, builders.

But in most financial transactions, it is normal to be receive a request / demand for payment.

But you never don’t get paid. Once you’ve done the first month, you are paid steadily with no delays. Self employed people don’t have that and it really does involve a lot of chasing to get people to pay. And as it comes in drips and drabs, it can be harder to manage.

No, it is absolutely normal for people who carry out services to be paid immediately - hairdressers, masseurs, locksmiths, taxi drivers etc.

She is not lucky to have precarious income, no sick pay and the possibility her clients could cancel at any time.

I don't think it was unreasonable to ask. If you are paying her after the reminder has been issued, she obviously thinks you need a reminder. If you don't want a reminder, pay her in the afternoon before she texts you. Or leave the cash on the table.

Completely different when you have a contract.

Cleaners should be paid immediately.