How to employ a housekeeper legally in the UK: becoming an employer, PAYE, National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment, contract and minimum wage.

How to Legally Hire a Housekeeper in the UK (2026 Guide)

The complete guide to hiring a housekeeper legally in the UK: registering as an employer, PAYE, NI, pension, contract and pay.

Quick answer: to employ a housekeeper legally in the UK you become their employer. Register with HMRC before the first payday, run PAYE payroll, pay at least the National Minimum/Living Wage (£12.71/h for 21+ from April 2026), give a written contract, assess them for a workplace pension, and hold employer's liability insurance.

Unlike some countries, the UK has no tax credit for domestic employers — so it pays to set things up correctly from the start. Here's the sequence.

1. Register as an employer

Before the first payday, register as an employer with HMRC and set up PAYE. Each payday you deduct income tax and employee National Insurance, pay employer NI above the threshold, and report in real time (RTI). Many families use a nanny/household payroll service. See how to register and run payroll.

2. Contract and pay

  • Give a written statement of particulars on or before day one.
  • Pay at least the National Minimum/Living Wage (£12.71/h, 21+).
  • Agree the wage in gross, not net — see why in the pay guide.

3. Pension and insurance

Assess your employee for automatic enrolment: if they're aged 22 to State Pension age and earn over £10,000/year, you must enrol them and contribute. You also need employer's liability insurance by law.

4. Holiday and rights

Statutory holiday is 5.6 weeks a year. Your employee also has rights to payslips, notice and protection from unfair dismissal over time. See employee rights.

Official sources

Conclusion

Register, run payroll, pay at least the minimum wage, and cover pension and insurance — do that and employing at home is straightforward and fully compliant.

See also

FAQ

Is a housekeeper self-employed or my employee?

If they work regularly for you in your home under your direction, they're almost always your employee — which means PAYE, National Insurance, a pension assessment and a contract. Only genuinely independent, multi-client workers are self-employed.

Do I really have to run payroll?

Yes, if you pay above the National Insurance/PAYE thresholds. Registering with HMRC and running PAYE (often via a nanny-payroll service) is the employer's responsibility.

How do I find a housekeeper I can trust?

Prefer verified profiles, ask for references, and arrange a first paid session to align expectations before committing.

Should I do a paid trial first?

Yes. A first paid session lets you assess quality and fine-tune preferences before a bigger commitment.

Can I just pay cash?

Cash itself is fine, but tax isn't optional. If the housekeeper is your employee you must operate PAYE once above the threshold and pay at least the minimum wage; if they're genuinely self-employed they handle their own tax. Agree pay as gross, not net, to avoid disputes.

Do I have to give a written contract?

Employees are entitled to a written statement of employment particulars from day one, covering duties, hours, pay and notice. A written contract is strongly recommended even for a few hours a week.