Hiring a cleaner a few hours a week in the UK: what the law says
A few hours a week can still make you an employer: PAYE, minimum wage and insurance.
Quick answer: if you directly employ a cleaner — even a few hours a week — you're their employer. You must pay at least the National Minimum/Living Wage, give a written statement, and usually run PAYE and hold employer's liability insurance. A genuinely self-employed cleaner (or one via an agency) is different.
Employee or self-employed?
If you set the hours, provide the equipment and control how the work is done, the cleaner is usually your employee — and employer duties apply, however few the hours. A cleaner who works for many clients on their own terms may be self-employed; an agency cleaner is employed by the agency.
What you must do as an employer
- Pay at least the minimum/living wage (£12.71/h for 21+ from April 2026).
- Give a written statement of particulars on day one.
- Run PAYE if the cleaner earns over the threshold or has another job.
- Hold employer's liability insurance and assess pension auto-enrolment.
Estimate the cost
Official sources
Conclusion
Even a few hours can carry employer duties. Check the employment status first, then set up pay and insurance correctly — a payroll service makes it simple.
See also
- Hiring legally — the full framework.
- Employer's liability insurance — is it required?
FAQ
Am I an employer if it's only a few hours?
If you set the hours, provide the equipment and control the work, the cleaner is usually your employee and employer duties apply — however few the hours.
Do I have to run PAYE for a few hours?
You must operate PAYE if the cleaner earns over the threshold or has another job. Many families use a household payroll service.
Is a self-employed or agency cleaner different?
Yes. A genuinely self-employed cleaner handles their own tax, and an agency cleaner is employed by the agency, not by you.