How to Prepare Accommodation for a Live-In Maid
What a live-in helper needs before joining, with a ready checklist.
Quick answer: A live-in helper needs a private, ventilated sleeping space with a lock or privacy, a bed or mattress with bedding, storage for belongings, access to a clean toilet and bathroom, a fan or suitable ventilation, regular meals, drinking water, and agreed rest time. Prepare these before the joining date.
A live-in maid will treat your home as their home for the duration of the job. A comfortable, private space is one of the main reasons live-in placements last.
The sleeping space
- A separate room is ideal, such as a servant room or study.
- If a full room is not possible, a safe, private area that is not a corridor, kitchen floor or storeroom.
- A door or curtain that gives real privacy.
- Ventilation and a fan; consider heating or cooling needs in your city.
- A light and a power socket for charging a phone.
Bedding and storage
- Bed or mattress, pillow, sheets, blanket.
- A cupboard, shelf or trunk for clothes and belongings.
- Hooks or a line for drying personal clothes.
Bathroom and hygiene
Access to a clean toilet and bathing area, with privacy. Basic toiletries in the first days are a kind welcome.
Meals and water
Meals and accommodation for live-in staff are provided by the family. They are not part of the Maidvy service fee. Agree meal times and what the helper may cook for themselves. Clean drinking water should always be available.
Rest time and weekly off
Agree daily working hours, a sleep period that is not interrupted except in genuine emergencies, rest breaks and a weekly off. A 24-hour live-in arrangement is about residence, not continuous work. Read what 24-hour live-in really means.
House rules for live-in help
- Visitors and time out on the weekly off.
- Phone use during working hours.
- Kitchen and common area use after hours.
- Society rules, gate passes and security.
Practical arrangements
- Inform society security and arrange a gate pass if needed.
- If the helper is relocating for the job, agree travel costs in advance; these are not included in the Maidvy fee.
- Share family members' names, emergency numbers and the address in writing.
Ready checklist
- Private space with ventilation and light.
- Bed, bedding and storage.
- Bathroom access.
- Meal plan and drinking water.
- Agreed hours, sleep, breaks and weekly off.
- House rules shared.
- Society security informed.
The Maidvy 24×7 Live-In Plan is ₹25,000 + 18% GST = ₹29,500, with up to 3 replacements during the active plan. The helper's salary is separate. Compare with daytime help in daytime vs live-in maid, or see live-in help in Gurgaon, Noida and Delhi.
Making the first days comfortable
A new live-in helper has moved into an unfamiliar home, often in a new city. Show them the room, bathroom and kitchen on day one. Explain the house timings and how to reach you. A small welcome, such as basic toiletries, a towel and a list of nearby shops, goes a long way.
Climate and city considerations
Plan for your city's weather. Delhi NCR summers need good ventilation and a fan or cooler; winters need warm bedding. Humid cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata need ventilation to prevent damp. Small arrangements like these affect sleep, health and how long a helper stays.
For reference, Maidvy's service fee is ₹15,000 + 18% GST = ₹17,700 on the Daytime Plan and ₹25,000 + 18% GST = ₹29,500 on the 24×7 Live-In Plan. The helper's monthly salary is always separate and agreed between the family and the helper.
When space is limited
Many city apartments do not have a separate servant room. Options families use include converting a study or store room with proper ventilation, or a dedicated, curtained area that is not a passage. Whatever you choose, the helper must be able to sleep undisturbed and keep belongings securely. If you cannot provide a private space, daytime help may be a better fit; see choosing working hours.
Personal belongings and privacy
Respect the helper's room as private. Do not enter or search it without permission, except in a genuine emergency. Agree storage for any valuables they bring, and never keep their original identity documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does a live-in maid need a separate room?
A separate room is ideal. At minimum, provide a safe, private, ventilated sleeping area, not a corridor or kitchen floor.
Who pays for a live-in maid's food?
The family provides meals and accommodation. These costs are not included in Maidvy's fee.
How many hours does a live-in maid work?
Working hours are agreed in advance, with uninterrupted sleep, rest breaks and a weekly off. Live-in means residence, not round-the-clock work.
Can a live-in maid share a room with children?
Only if the family and helper both agree and the helper still has privacy and proper sleep. A separate private space is strongly preferred.
Can I search my live-in helper's room?
No, not without permission, except in a genuine emergency. The helper's room is their private space.
Guides written by Maidvy, a brand of Logibyte Technologies, based on our domestic staffing process and published policies. They are general information, not legal or medical advice.
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