Housekeeper

Employing a Housekeeper is a role that is in high demand by families and individual clients alike. This is especially so for those seeking a candidate with combined skills, such as a Nanny/Housekeeper or Housekeeper/Cook.  Not every private household has the need to employ the services of a Nanny and a Housekeeper, so a combined role is a great solution for many.

The role of a housekeeper is to keep a clean and tidy home and fulfilling their professional duties to exacting standards specified by the employer. Working in private residence, Housekeepers are expected to know about cleaning products and sanitisation in order to maintain the cleanliness of a home to high hygienic standards; applying knowledge and use of products to items that require specialist care is important to prolong the life of such items.

It is also helpful for housekeeper's to know how to use specialised cleaning equipment and how to maintain them.  A Housekeeper needs to be physically fit, especially when there are lots of stairs coupled with many large rooms to clean. So candidates need to have the stamina to fulfil their duties to an exceptional standard - cutting corners is not acceptable. You need to be methodical and organised in your approach, as well as honest, loyal and reliable with excellent time management skills. 

Some employers require their employee to prepare and cook the family meal and if there are children in the house, occasionally they will be expected to supervise them (school age) when required.

• Wash dishes/load dishwasher and put away
• Change linen and make the bed
• Tidy rooms putting things in their rightful place.
• Polish furniture, fittings and ornamental objects
• Vacuum all floors
• Sanitise kitchen and bathroom area including floors
• Polish wooden floors
• Schedule cleaning of windows, blinds and drapes
• Sort, wash and iron clothes and linen with special care given to particular fabrics, such as those that require hand-washing, or to be dry cleaned
• Ensure all electrically operated cleaning equipment is maintained
• Keep a record of any faults within the home that require fixing, or replacing
• Replenish supplies

Additional Housekeeper duties:​

• Shopping for groceries and household items
• Keep a record of household expenditure
• Prepare and cook for the family
• Supervise children
• Care for pets
• Answer phone and take messages
• Run errands as required

Formal qualifications are not always necessary, with many starting out as room attendants in hotels, or from working in private households.  The more experience you have behind you with top notch skills and knowledge, and a qualification being a huge bonus, will put you in a more favourable position for the higher paid positions. The Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Housekeeping is just one of the qualifications to obtain that will benefit you in your chosen career. Others are available within the hospitality industry.

Salaries on a full-time basis for a Housekeeper will range from £34,000 to £45,000 based on qualifications, hours worked, experience, location and whether the role is live-in or live-out.  A Head Housekeeper can earn between £42,000 to £50,000. The salary tends to be higher for overseas roles and net pending location. However, the salary is merely a guide based on London averages.

Get in Touch...

If you are looking to employ a Housekeeper or other skilled professionals for your household, please feel free to reach out to us. You can submit your enquiry via email, telephone, or by filling out the contact form located at the bottom of our website. Candidates interested in applying can find more information on our Candidate Page. We look forward to hearing from you.