Live-In Domestic Helpers in Durban
Full-time household support from someone who lives on your property — arranged properly, for both sides.
Request a Helper
When a Household Needs Full-Time Support
Live-in placements suit households where the workload is genuinely constant — larger families, homes with young children, or families supporting an elderly relative who needs someone nearby at short notice.
The advantage is consistency. A live-in helper knows the household’s routine thoroughly, is there when plans change unexpectedly, and does not lose hours to daily travel.
It is also the arrangement where getting the terms right matters most. A live-in role brings accommodation, working hours, rest periods and privacy into play in a way that live-out roles do not. We help both sides agree these clearly at the outset, which is what makes these placements last.
What a Live-In Helper Typically Covers
Agreed in writing before the placement starts
- Daily cleaning and upkeep across the household
- Laundry, ironing and clothing care
- Meal preparation and kitchen management
- Childcare support, where that forms part of the role
- Assistance with elderly family members, where required
- Managing household routines and supplies
How Placement Works
More groundwork than a live-out placement, and rightly so
1. Define the role honestly
Duties, working hours, days off and rest periods. Vague expectations are the single most common reason live-in arrangements break down.
2. Check the accommodation
A live-in helper needs suitable private accommodation. We will talk this through with you candidly before matching anyone.
3. Match carefully
Living alongside a household is not for everyone. We shortlist candidates who have done live-in work before and understand what it involves.
4. Trial and review
We suggest a defined settling-in period with a proper review at the end, so either side can raise concerns before they harden.
Where We Place Live-In Helpers
Serving Durban and the greater KwaZulu-Natal area
Not sure whether we cover your suburb? Give us a call and we’ll tell you straight away.
Check AvailabilityLive-In Domestic Help in Durban: Common Questions
A live-in helper needs their own private room with a bed, storage and reasonable access to bathroom facilities. Adequate, private accommodation is a basic requirement of the arrangement, not an optional extra.
Living on the property does not mean being available at all hours. South African law sets limits on working hours and requires daily and weekly rest periods for domestic workers, including live-in staff. Agree the working day in writing and stick to it.
There are rules about what may be deducted for accommodation, and they are more restrictive than many employers assume. Deductions cannot simply be set at whatever seems fair. Check the current position with the Department of Employment and Labour before agreeing terms.
Live-in helpers are entitled to rest days and annual leave in the same way as other employees. Many live-in arrangements include a weekend off or set days each month when the helper goes home.
Not necessarily in wage terms, but you are providing accommodation, utilities and usually food, which carries a real cost. The trade-off is far greater availability and consistency.
Yes, and it is often sensible. Working together first gives both sides a clear picture before committing to a live-in arrangement.
Related Services
Other ways we help households across Durban
Domestic Workers & Maids
Vetted domestic workers for regular cleaning, laundry and household upkeep.
Learn MoreConsidering a Live-In Helper?
Call us and we will talk through whether it genuinely suits your household.
