How to Prepare Your Home for a Live-In Housekeeper

The First Few Days Make All the Difference

Welcoming a live-in housekeeper into your home is a significant moment for the whole family. Good preparation makes the transition smoother and lays the foundation for a working relationship that works well for everyone.

Preparing the Room

A live-in housekeeper will be living in your home, so her room is essential:

Private space: a single room with a door that locks, a window, and good ventilation
Basic furniture: a comfortable bed, a wardrobe with enough space, a bedside table, a lamp, and a mirror
Bathroom access: ideally a private bathroom, or at least one shared only with the family (not the guest bathroom)
WiFi access: this is a must nowadays, especially so she can stay in touch with her family in the Philippines
A personal touch: a small welcome gesture (a plant, a card) goes a long way

Setting Clear Ground Rules from the Start

What is not discussed gets assumed, and assumptions lead to frustration. It is a good idea to agree in writing on:

Detailed schedule: start time, breaks, finish time, days off
Main tasks: cooking, cleaning, ironing, shopping, childcare or eldercare
Use of shared spaces: kitchen outside working hours, living room, garden
Visitors: whether she can receive visitors, and under what conditions
Phone use and free time: what she can do during her rest periods

This is not about being rigid — it is about making sure both sides know where they stand.

Helping Her Settle In

If the worker has just arrived in Spain or in your city, you can help her integrate:

Transport: explain how local public transport works and the most useful routes
Community: the major Spanish cities have active Filipino communities. In Madrid, the parish of San Lorenzo is a well-known meeting point. In Barcelona, the Raval neighbourhood
Supermarkets: Asian supermarkets stock products that may be important to her (jasmine rice, cane vinegar, Filipino soy sauce)
Paperwork: if she needs to complete any formalities (registering her address, obtaining an NIE), point her in the right direction or go with her the first few times

Effective Communication

Communication is the foundation of a good working relationship:

Be direct but kind: Filipino culture values respect highly, but also clarity
Regular feedback: do not wait for problems to pile up. Mention positive things and areas for improvement naturally
Be patient with language: if the worker is still learning Spanish, speak slowly and use simple sentences. Many learn quickly when given the chance
Ask about her preferences: what she likes to cook, how she prefers to organise her work, whether she has any special needs

First Week Checklist

Room prepared and clean
WiFi set up (give her the password)
Tour of the house explaining each area
Introduction to all family members
Hand over the keys
Explanation of how appliances work
Written agreement on schedules and tasks
Information on local transport and nearby services
Emergency phone numbers

A Good Start Is Half the Battle

The families who have the best experience with live-in housekeepers are those who invest time in the welcome. It does not have to be perfect, but it does need to be thoughtful and well-organised.

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