What is a Cleaning Services Agreement?
A Cleaning Services Agreement is a formal contract between a cleaning provider and a client. This document sets out the terms and conditions of the cleaning services, the timeframe for completing the tasks, and the payment arrangements for the services rendered.
When should I use a Cleaning Services Agreement?
A Cleaning Services Agreement can be used for any situation where a cleaning service provider is offering cleaning services in exchange for payment, whether it’s for commercial or residential cleaning services. Some examples of situations where a cleaning contract may be used include:
- An office building hires a cleaning company to provide daily cleaning services, including emptying trash cans, cleaning bathrooms, and vacuuming floors.
- A homeowner hires an individual or cleaning company to provide regular housecleaning services, such as dusting, mopping, and cleaning bathrooms.
- A property management company hires a cleaning contractor to clean common areas in a residential building, such as hallways, lobbies, and elevators.
- A homeowner hires a gutter cleaning company to clean their gutters twice a year.
- A commercial property owner hires a carpet cleaning company to deep clean the carpets in their building once a year.
In all of these situations, a Cleaning Services Agreement can help to clearly define the expectations of both the cleaning service provider and the client, ensuring that the services are provided in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Why should I use a Cleaning Services Agreement?
A Cleaning Services Agreement serves to clearly define the terms and conditions for both the contractor and the client. By referring to the agreement, both parties can potentially avoid disputes. Should changes to the service terms be required in the future, having a written document allows for easy amendments.
Can a Cleaning Service Agreement be verbal?
Verbal Cleaning Services Agreements are legally binding in the United Kingdom. However, the challenge with verbal contracts is that, without written evidence, it can be difficult to prove the agreed terms in court. If the terms cannot be clearly demonstrated, it may be challenging to seek a legal remedy in the event of a dispute.
What is addressed in a Cleaning Services Agreement?
A Cleaning Services Agreement typically addresses the parties to the agreement, the service being offered, the terms of the agreement, and the remuneration that will be provided to the Cleaning Services Provider.
In addition, Cleaning Services Agreements may also provide specifics on how confidential information is to be treated upon the Cleaning Services Provider’s termination, whether there are limitations on the Cleaning Services Provider’s ability to compete with the Customer’s business upon the Cleaning Services Provider’s termination, and how disputes between the Customer and Cleaning Services Provider will be handled.
Who are the parties to the Cleaning Services Agreement?
The parties to the Cleaning Services Agreement are the Customer and the Cleaning Services Provider. The Customer is the individual or business seeking the Cleaning Services while the Cleaning Services Provider is the individual or corporation providing the Cleaning Services.
What is the difference between an Employment Contract and a Cleaning Services Agreement?
A Cleaning Services Agreement is a type of Service Agreement. Cleaning Services Agreements are used to hire Cleaning Services Providers or independent contractors, not employees. A Cleaning Services Agreement is limited to a specific project or time period. Employment Contracts are used to hire employees.
What is the difference between an employee and an independent contractor?
Independent contractors are individuals who provide services for a fee but are not considered to be employees because they work for themselves and do not have an employer. The law treats employees and independent contractors differently, but it is not always easy to establish which category an individual falls into.
Is this a Master Service Agreement?
No. If you need a Master Service Agreement as well as subordinate agreements, you should consult a lawyer qualified in your jurisdiction.
Term of Agreement
What is the end date of the agreement?
The end date is the date when the Cleaning Services under the agreement are no longer provided or needed.
What does “notice” mean?
Notice refers to the amount of time that is provided by one party to another when they wish to end their obligations under the agreement prior to the agreed end date.
Remuneration:
There are various ways to pay the Cleaning Services Provider. You can pay them on an hourly, weekly, monthly or yearly basis if you agree on a specific rate for each time period. If you prefer to pay a fixed amount for the complete performance under the agreement, select “Fixed Amount”. If the remuneration involves multiple payments or the exchange of services or goods, choose “Other”. If you have a specific rate for the services performed along with additional remuneration, use the basic rate question and describe the additional remuneration under “Additional Remuneration”.
Currency:
Choose the currency for all monetary amounts mentioned in the agreement, such as remuneration and expenses.
Additional Remuneration: This refers to any extra payment made to the Cleaning Services Provider in addition to the basic remuneration mentioned under “Remuneration”.
Customer-Provided Items:
If the Customer wishes to provide any services, tools, office space, materials, etc. to the Cleaning Services Provider to perform the services, select “Yes” to “Will the Customer be providing anything to the Cleaning Services Provider?” and describe what they are providing.
Penalties for Late Payment:
This question asks whether the Customer will be penalized for failing to pay the Cleaning Services Provider on time. If you do not want to specify, select “Do not specify”. Select “No” if there will be no penalties or “Yes” to state the penalties expressly.
Penalties for Non-Performance:
This question asks whether the Cleaning Services Provider will be penalized for failing to perform the services on time. Select “Do not specify” if you don’t want to mention it, “No” if there will be no penalties, or “Yes” to state the penalties expressly.
Confidentiality Clause:
This clause prohibits the Cleaning Services Provider from disclosing the Customer’s confidential business information to third parties.
Mediation and Arbitration:
Mediation is a negotiation process facilitated by an impartial third party or mediator. Arbitration is a process where parties to a dispute agree to an impartial referee who hears and makes a binding decision. Both processes are preferable to the court process when there is a long-term relationship, and the survival of the business relationship is essential. They can be less expensive, faster, and more efficient than the court process.