What Is a Live In Housekeeper and How to Become One

A live in housekeeper performs many of the same duties as a worker who is part of a maid service. The major difference is that as a live in housekeeper, you live in the home of your client. Some live in housekeepers are part of the continuum of medical care. In these positions, you complete housekeeping duties that your client can no longer perform, such as doing the laundry, keeping the rooms clean, and running various errands. Other live in housekeepers are hired to maintain a tidy home for people who are too busy or who are away from home for extended periods.

There are few qualifications needed to become a live in housekeeper, although if your responsibilities include elderly or child care, you may need to have previous experience in those fields. A high school diploma or GED certificate is often helpful, but this is not always a strict requirement. Some housekeepers only vacuum, sweep, mop, and scrub the household, while others may have more complex responsibilities, such as cooking, dressing clients, running errands, and nannying children. Important qualities for the profession include excellent verbal communication skills and attention to detail.