The Agent running our block of flats wants to employ one of the people living in the block but I dont want to because when they did it before it was badly done. But surely for an Agent to suggest this is wrong because it would be cash in hand and therefore it cannot be legal! or is it!! what if there were an accident not to mention the poor standard of work. I would naturally prefer a proper cleaning company one of which is highly regarded.

It's legal as long as the cleaner raises an invoice each month with teh IVA included - which is then paid by the community

Cleaners who work for more than one client are meant to be autonomo so are responsible for paying their own social security payments

Of course, it would be illegal if there were no record of invoices

Who ever employs the cleaner will also have to have third-party liability insurance!

No no invoice the money will go towards their community charge but there is no control over them asking them to do it a bit better etc etc has proved difficult. I want it all straight and above board. But what I am concerned about is that an Agent is suggesting this.

Exactly that is one of the reasons I am not keen and lots of other reasons. Difficult to get rid of someone who lives in the block if they dont come up to scratch and so far that is the case.

It all depends whether your neighbours agree with you

Building communities are run by vote. The problem is that you could become very unpopular by voting against one of your neighbours who could need the work very badly. Not good when you have to live with these people

Also, an agency is likely to be twice as expensive

I doubt it, given that the person cleaning lives in the building

No no difference in price. It was voted in the meeting that we employ a cleaning company. Everyone needs work including the people working for the cleaning company, it is better to patronize that which is legal, because otherwise these companies can go bust taking their work force with them!

You will see that in Spain people prefer to protect and look after their family and neighbours

But anyway, something to discuss with the community. Good luck!

Thinking outside the box!
Why don't you and others clean the area outside your own flat? This is what used to happen before we had agents ripping us off for sub-standard "services".

I have thought about that but their are the stairs, the lifts and also an area where their are lock-ups as well as outside. That could be mooted at the next meeting but the other thing is that half the people dont live here full time. I think it would start to look a mess, not that there is much difference at the moment, but good Idea.

That is the quickest way to end up living in a sh*thole - and a great way to create tension between neighbours

Cleaners are cheap, use them!

We have considered cleaning people, but in the end decided we didn't need it.

Nonetheless, those we spoke to did not, and would not ever even think of IVA or insurances. In fact, I don't believe anyone we've ever hired for anything has ever even mentioned either. I am not arguing what is legal or not. Simply pointing out that most probably wouldn't even know what to do with it.

Absolutely wrong!

Anyone employing someone else to work on their property is required to have third-party liability insurance.

This was in the (Spanish) news some time back!

What does it matter if they live in the building? Aren't we talking about some one being employed (paid) to clean?

Yes I am sure that will be top of their priorities

I have a cleaner and no 3rd party insurance. And I am not going to get any