How much does a cleaner cost in London?

London house cleaning rates typically range from £15–£22 per hour for independent cleaners, and £18–£28 per hour through reputable platforms that include insurance and vetting.

Should cleaners be insured?

Yes. Public liability insurance (typically £1m–£2m cover) is the minimum you should expect. It protects you if the cleaner damages something in your home. All GeraHome cleaners are insured.

Is it legal to pay a cleaner cash?

Yes, but the cleaner must still declare income to HMRC. Paying via a platform like GeraHome removes tax ambiguity for you as the customer.

What is right-to-work verification?

Under UK law (Immigration Act 2016), anyone providing labour must have the right to work in the UK. Platforms that vet cleaners run this check; individuals hiring directly are responsible for it themselves.

How to Find a Vetted House Cleaner in London (2026 Guide)

The best way to find a reliable house cleaner in London in 2026 is to use a platform that vets identity, right-to-work, references, and insurance — and to pay slightly more than a cash Gumtree rate for that peace of mind. Typical London cleaning rates run £18–£28 per hour through reputable platforms and £15–£22 per hour for unvetted independents.

This guide covers what to check before hiring, how vetting works in practice, what you should pay, and how to spot the red flags that separate good cleaners from bad ones.

What should I check before hiring a cleaner?

Identity: government-issued ID (passport, BRP)
Right to work: required by the Immigration Act 2016 — valid visa status or UK/Irish nationality
Insurance: public liability cover, minimum £1m; some platforms require £2m
References: at least two from previous domestic clients, ideally independently verifiable
Criminal record check: basic DBS check (reveals unspent convictions) is standard on reputable platforms
Reviews: multiple reviews from genuine customers (not all posted the same week)
Trial session: one-off visit before committing to a weekly slot

How much should a cleaner cost in London?

Platform-vetted cleaner: £18–£28 per hour (GeraHome typical range)
Premium platform (Mrs Hinch-style deep clean): £35+ per hour
Independent via Gumtree/WhatsApp: £15–£22 per hour (no vetting, no insurance)
Traditional agency: £25–£45 per hour (the agency keeps up to 50%)
End-of-tenancy deep clean: typically charged as flat fee — £180–£450 depending on property size
One-off spring clean: £120–£280 for a 1-2 bedroom flat

Zone 1 and Zone 2 properties pay the top end; outer zones and commuter-belt homes pay slightly less. A cleaner willing to travel an hour each way will expect the higher rate.

What are the red flags?

Cash-only with no written agreement
No insurance (or evasive answers about insurance)
Refusal to show right-to-work documentation
No references, or references that sound rehearsed/all positive
Unusually cheap (significantly below the market floor of £15/hour)
Requests for upfront payment for keys or supplies
Account is new with no verifiable history

Should I go with a platform or direct?

A platform costs a little more but handles vetting, insurance, replacements if the cleaner cancels, and provides a trail for any dispute. Hiring direct is cheaper per hour but the total cost of a single bad hire (damaged property, theft, unreliable attendance) outweighs years of platform fees. GeraHome's London platform fee is 5% of the booking, significantly lower than traditional agencies.

How does GeraHome's vetting work?

Every London cleaner on GeraHome completes: (1) government ID verification via Jumio, (2) right-to-work check against UK Home Office records, (3) at least two reference checks, (4) a basic DBS criminal record check, (5) public liability insurance to £2m, and (6) a trial clean with an existing customer before going live. Profiles show vetting status, hourly rate, languages spoken, and reviews from real bookings.

What about regular vs one-off?

Regular weekly or fortnightly clients build a long-term relationship with their cleaner and typically get a 10–15% discount versus one-off pricing. Cleaners prefer them too — predictable income beats chasing one-offs. If you are new to having a cleaner, start with a one-off, agree expectations, then convert to regular if the fit is good.