Why You Should Use Legal Cleaning Services

The cleaning industry ranks highest among services purchased “under the table” in Norway — a position we would rather avoid.

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Unregistered work creates poor conditions for cleaners, and as a customer, you not only break the law but also risk losing certain rights if something goes wrong. We are proud to offer an easy and reliable alternative to illegal work, but have you considered how much influence your choice has?

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You Support Cleaners by Paying Legally

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In 2020, many small businesses faced tough times with layoffs, downsizing, and even bankruptcy. Small operators are often more vulnerable than large national or international companies. Losing a single sale can have a huge impact when you are self-employed and rely on every small client meeting throughout the week.
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By supporting small operators, you help not only the industry but also individuals earn income and maintain a predictable daily life. Every booked job and satisfied customer is a victory for our 200 cleaners spread across the country — and we celebrate that!

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A Foot in the Door

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Many cleaners in Norway originally come from other countries and may not speak Norwegian well — yet. One challenge immigrants face is language barriers. It can be difficult to find work and integrate into society without speaking the language. By registering as self-employed and joining Vaskehjelp, cleaners gain a foot in the labor market while learning the language and culture through numerous client interactions.

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When you order cleaning through Vaskehjelp, you can be sure that the cleaner sets their own hourly rate at a minimum tariff level, earns pensionable income, and is entitled to sick pay as a self-employed person. They also receive benefits such as insurance and financial transparency. In contrast, illegal work deprives cleaners of these benefits and exposes them to social dumping.

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Benefits for Society
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Legal work has many advantages — for both the cleaner and the customer. By paying taxes and fees, you also support Norway’s welfare system, which provides free education and healthcare.

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Responsibilities of the Buyer
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Did you know that if a cleaner doesn’t have approval or a pending application in the cleaning register, it is illegal to purchase services from them?

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Whether the cleaning service you order is registered as a company or operates as a private individual, you are responsible for checking that the cleaner is registered in the cleaning register. Vaskehjelp customers don’t need to worry about this, as the app retrieves updated information from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority daily. Check if your cleaner has a valid HSE card from the cleaning register at the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.
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You must also ensure that the cleaner has a business registration number and is VAT-registered. To ensure payment is legal, always pay digitally or request an invoice that includes VAT. If you are asked to pay in cash, consider it a red flag.

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Consequences of Illegal Work
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When you hire an unregistered cleaner and pay in cash, there are no guarantees for the work performed. As a customer, you have little protection if something goes wrong or if authorities intervene. In recent years, several people have been prosecuted for illegal trade. We want more people to hire approved companies for safer jobs, work, and society.

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If something goes wrong with illegal work, you have no rights. For example, if a cleaner damages your parquet floor or breaks an expensive lamp, you rely entirely on their honesty for compensation. With Vaskehjelp, insurance is included in the price, protecting your belongings if an accident or negligence occurs. On the other hand, the cleaner is also insured, so they receive support in case of a work-related accident.

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There’s a lot to consider when you just want your home cleaned legally. It can be a complicated path, but at Vaskehjelp, our mission is to make it easier for both customers and cleaners to meet with peace of mind.