What Is a Live in Property Caretaker and How to Become One

As a live-in property caretaker, you provide landscaping and building maintenance for one or more buildings. You may care for an apartment complex, a house or other residential unit, or even a larger commercial area, depending on the needs of your client. Land sizes can vary, but often include areas several times larger than the building. As an on-site position, this job includes a private residence that may be located in or near the main building. Live-in property caretakers frequently patrol the property, clean the building, and perform light maintenance like changing furnace filters or installing smoke detector batteries. You may work alone or under the supervision of a property manager.

The primary qualifications for becoming a live-in property caretaker depend on the job but usually include the physical fitness to move furniture and an understanding of how to complete each assigned task. Most employers do not require any higher education, but a vocational degree in a relevant field can help you stand out from other applicants. Some locations have special requirements, such as requiring applicants to be current residents of an apartment unit if there are no free apartments to live in. Experience is precious in this field, so the more time you spend as a property caretaker, the more likely you are to stand out from other applicants. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of this role requires observation skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills.