{"id":4301,"date":"2020-10-01T16:50:17","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T08:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ec2-54-254-239-209.ap-southeast-1.compute.amazonaws.com\/?p=4301"},"modified":"2025-08-22T18:09:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T10:09:34","slug":"preparing-helpers-room","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare a Domestic Helper\u2019s Room Properly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is important to offer your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/how-to-handle-domestic-helper-problems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">domestic helper<\/a> a proper living quarter so that she can gain enough rest after a long day working. But things get a tad more complicated when it comes to the accommodation arrangement as foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong or Singapore are <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/consequences-live-out-domestic-helper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">required to live with their employers<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Domestic_helper_accommodation_requirement\" >Domestic helper accommodation requirement<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Dos\" >Do\u2019s<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Provide_the_helper_with_basic_amenities\" >Provide the helper with basic amenities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Sufficient_ventilation\" >Sufficient ventilation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Donts\" >Don\u2019ts<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Let_your_domestic_helper_sleep_in_the_living_room\" >Let your domestic helper sleep in the living room<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Let_your_helper_share_room_with_an_adult_or_teenager_of_the_opposite_sex\" >Let your helper share room with an adult or teenager of the opposite sex<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Install_video_cameras_at_the_helpers_sleeping_or_changing_area\" >Install video cameras at the helper\u2019s sleeping or changing area<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/preparing-helpers-room\/#Get_a_custom_made_bed_for_helper_room\" >Get a custom made bed for helper room<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HelperChoice investigated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helperchoice-domestic-workers-salary-hong-kong\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">the most common living arrangements for domestic helpers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in Hong Kong. The survey exposes that a large majority (70%) of the job offers include a private room, 16% a room shared with a kid and 10% a room shared with another domestic worker. And a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/four-in-10-maids-sleep-in-shared-room-poll\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">survey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> conducted by an NGO in Singapore reveals that about 60% of domestic helpers in the country have their private room.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Domestic_helper_accommodation_requirement\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Domestic helper accommodation requirement<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you decide to make the leap and hire a domestic helper, keep in mind that your domestic worker must enjoy adequate living conditions \u2013 i.e. decent, comfortable with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helpers-personal-privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">adequate privacy for the helper<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 no matter how limited the living space is. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dos\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do\u2019s<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Provide_the_helper_with_basic_amenities\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Provide the helper with basic amenities<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An employer should at least provide a mattress, pillow, blanket, storage space, bathroom amenities and toiletries. Some furniture stores offer clever storage solutions in the form of storage space and compartments integrated at the bottom of custom-made beds to maximize space use.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sufficient_ventilation\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sufficient ventilation<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most domestic helper rooms have no windows \u2013 this can be problematic. There are multiple solutions to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">make up for the lack of proper natural ventilation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and ensure that temperature is suitable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Donts\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019ts<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Let_your_domestic_helper_sleep_in_the_living_room\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Let your domestic helper sleep in the living room<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some employers ask their helper to sleep on a sofa in the living room. This is not advised as the helper does not have enough privacy. If you really have no choice, you might want to partition the living room by using folding screens \u2013 they can be removed easily \u2013 or thick curtains or even blinds as temporary room dividers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Let_your_helper_share_room_with_an_adult_or_teenager_of_the_opposite_sex\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Let your helper share room with an adult or teenager of the opposite sex<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is against legal domestic helper accommodation requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Install_video_cameras_at_the_helpers_sleeping_or_changing_area\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Install video cameras at the helper\u2019s sleeping or changing area<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although the law does not prohibit employers from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/install-cctv-monitor-helper-singapore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">installing video cameras<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at home, you should <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clic.org.hk\/en\/topics\/personalDataPrivacy\/in_recruit_hr_and_work\/q18.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">inform your domestic helper<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of the devices and where they are placed, even by a written record to avoid any disputes. You must <\/span><b>not<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> install video cameras in areas that will compromise her privacy or modesty, e.g. where she sleeps, change clothes, or the bathroom area.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_a_custom_made_bed_for_helper_room\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Get a custom made bed for helper room<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Given the size of helper rooms (maid rooms) in many Hong Kong or Singapore homes, it is often impossible to fit in an adult-sized single bed. The good news here is that it is possible to buy a custom-made helper bed. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pricerite<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Takad Furniture<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in Hong Kong offer clever storage solutions in the form of storage space and compartments integrated at the bottom of custom made beds to maximize space use. In Singapore, there are online providers that you can order custom made bed with extra storage below the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is important to offer your domestic helper a proper living quarter so that she can gain enough rest after a long day working. But things get a tad more complicated when it comes to the accommodation arrangement as foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong or Singapore are required to live with their employers. HelperChoice [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":4304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"How to Prepare a Domestic Helper\u2019s Room Properly - HelperChoice Blog","description":"It is important to offer your domestic helper a proper living quarter so that she can gain enough rest after a long day working. But things get a tad more compl"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[355],"class_list":["post-4301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hiring-preparation","tag-tutorials"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/maid-room-in-hong-kong.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4301"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9453,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4301\/revisions\/9453"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}