Would it be unreasonable to offer to pay my cleaner less?

[kissthefish]

I have a new cleaner. He started with me a couple of weeks ago. So far, so good. I have paid him so far by bank transfer on the day. However he has asked if I can pay him in future in cash.
Thing is, it’s an awkward amount. £54. I have no issue doing this when I’m at work, as my workplace is very close to a bank. However on school holidays (I’m a teacher) it’s going to be an inconvenient pain in the ass, as I don’t live near a bank. I tend not to have cash floating around, as I pay for everything by card.
Would I be unreasonable to offer to pay him £50 cash during the holidays?
Also, is it the norm for cleaners not to make the bed? He leaves them as they are (roughly made, as the mornings are a rush) but doesn’t straighten them out, which looks odd in a clean bedroom.
Thanks.

I think if his rate is £54 then you can’t change that. Agree he should be making the bed though? You might want to try him for a bit longer and see if it’s working out or not.

Just refuse to pay cash. And send the 54 quid. Asking to pay less because you can't find 4 pound coins is daft.

tell him the £4 makes it awkward and see if he offers the lower price

Thanks. Oh, and obviously I did ask him to make the bed, but there have been a couple of slight miscommunications due to the language barrier.

I know that on paper it definitely does sound daft! But there’s no escaping the fact that’s it’s going to be annoying in the holidays.

£54 is awkward and clearly for tax avoidance. How good are they at cleaning and have you got lots of choice in your area or would it be a pain if you had to find a new cleaner?

Hmmm I used to deal with this by paying an extra tenner one week and then the lower rounded amount for the next few weeks, but mine was £2 so easier really.

Another friend does it by going to the bank and getting £50 in £1 coins every few months.

I now just pay by bank transfer which is miles easier though so I don't blame you at all for finding it annoying.

I’d tell him you are unable to pay cash, sounds like a tax dodger.

He is an excellent, basic cleaner. He just doesn’t do the nice finishing touches that my old cleaner did.
And good cleaners are hard to come by where I live.

I had an independent cleaner for a while who wanted cash and I did find it a pita! Their tax affairs are down to them but it was just annoying.

Ive got back to a cleaning company (proper company, employs the cleaners themselves, all the proper tax etc done) and its such a relief to just get an invoice to pay online!

@kissthefish How many hours does he do for £54? I wondering if I need a new job... 😀

Can you just pay £55 cash instead?

I'd round it up to 55 myself. That way you don't insult him and make it easier for yourself.

How hard is it to ask him to make the beds?

It’s £54. 3 hours at £18.
I supply the cleaning products.

Just ask him to straighten up the beds, if he's any good he wont mind, some people like that doing and others might find it intrusive. The cash is an awkward amount, if he wont do a transfer. Maybe get a few fivers handy and pay 55 a week if he's worth keeping?

I would be more annoyed if this is to avoid universal credit seeing he is working. My relative had a cleaner long time ago who was £11 an hour used to pay £20 a week for 2 hours then gave her £100 at xmas with her agreement

About as hard as it is to read the comment where I said I’d already asked him.

I wouldn’t pay cash if I knew it was to work whilst claiming UC and avoid tax.

Yes, I know what you mean. He does work for an agency as well, obviously for a slightly lower hourly rate. And has a few private clients too (like me).

I'd be saying that I'd prefer to pay by bank transfer. I don't pay cash for services but your view may not be the same as mine. Regardless of that though, getting cash out is inconvenient for you.

Would it be ok for your employer to round down the amount they had agreed to pay you?

Just tell him cash isn't convenient and continue paying him his full wage via bank transfer

You have to specify what you want done and then agree on price.
Totally unreasonable to expect him to take a pay cut now.
If you want a record of payment so that there is no question of whether or not you paid, then tell him that.

Agree with what others are saying about checking his reason for wanting cash. I am ok with paying cash if someone is struggling, but generally I want taxes paid to fund schools and hospitals etc!

If its a good reason, I think it would be reasonable to give him a choice of bank transfer for £54 or cash for £50 per week (holidays or not). Or to put the onus on him to give change.

I sympathise about language issue - I've had that problem in the past - these days I find google translate helps a lot, so don't be embarrassed to use it to ask again about details you want included.

I don't think it's reasonable to reduce his hourly rate but you can say that you can't provide cash. He's obviously wanting to avoid paying tax on his wages.