Housekeepers

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Keeping refrigerator clean and discarding out-of-date items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.