The smooth running of a household alongside the wishes of the homeowner is what a housekeeper excels at.
A good housekeeper provides the client with a wide variety of professional domestic services and takes on the responsibilities of cleaning, laundry, cooking and running errands. Each household is unique therefore the duties and responsibilities are discussed at interview stage.
Some full-time Housekeepers will work on a ‘live-in’ basis and are provided with a room and meals in addition to their weekly or monthly salary. Usually they will not have direct involvement with the children of the household, but every home is different, so flexibility is essential. As well as keeping the house clean and orderly, they may also be required to do food shopping and prepare family meals.
It is not uncommon for them to be entrusted with the keys to the household when the employer is not at home. This means they will be able to access the property to work or in case of an emergency.
There are a variety of titles for the role of housekeeper. For example:
Live-in
All-round
Daily
Nanny
Companion
Cook
Reliable and trustworthy housekeepers are always in demand and we help clients find excellent temporary, permanent or part time positions.
Duties of a typical Housekeeper
Typically housekeepers will ensure the house is always clean, neat, tidy and welcoming. They may also undertake some light outdoor duties such putting out rubbish for collection.
It is important that the homeowner’s wishes are clear from the outset as housekeeper duties can include:
Preparing breakfast and cleaning kitchen and breakfast room
Keeping refrigerator clean and discarding out-of-date items
Cleaning the oven
Tidying and cleaning bathrooms, bedrooms and living areas
Cleaning unused rooms on a less frequent basis
Polishing brass and silver, antiques and fine furniture
Cleaning windows inside
Collecting, washing, ironing and returning laundry to the appropriate place. Hand washing delicate items
Managing the wardrobe
Arranging dry-cleaning
Answering door and telephone
Feeding and exercising pets on a regular basis
Keeping patios, pathways and steps clean and tidy
Watering household plants and flower arranging
Carrying out weekly grocery shopping
Handling petty cash and debit cards
Dealing with tradesmen, suppliers and contractors
Managing security alarms
Occasional babysitting
Carrying out any other tasks that the employer may reasonably ask
Eden will reference check all their housekeepers, ensuring they hold a clear DBS record from the Criminal Records Bureau. We always recommend to all our clients that they speak to the referees themselves to ascertain the candidates’ ultimate suitability.
The salary range is typically from £400 – £500 net for a live in position or £450 -£550 for a live out position. Housekeepers are usually charged at the hourly rate of £10 – £15.