Live in Couple Job in Kent
We have a wonderful position for a professional and pro-active Gardener/Handyman & Housekeeper Couple to care of a newly modernised listed property in a rural location in Kent. This is the perfect role for a couple, who are discreet, self-motivated, organised, and enthusiastic. Ideally a couple who understand and have worked with high tech interior systems, (desirable but not essential) and delicate materials.
The principals are a Couple and no other staff are employed apart from occasional contractors.
Housekeeper Main duties
• Cleaning of the house to a high standard
• Laundry - Washing / ironing etc
• Changing bed linen and towels
• Daily opening of all internal window shutters
• Interior window cleaning and removal of condensation from the windows in the winter
• Dealing with deliveries (including food - unpacking into fridge / freezer)
• Answering gates (using a phone app) in working hours and dealing with deliveries.
• Receive and closely supervise contractors when in house / garden (not left out of sight when in main house)
• Organisation - Booking in of contractors for both ad hoc and regular works at the house (only when agreed with the principals)
• Daily emptying of interior bins and dealing with refuse collections - ensuring the correct refuse is put in the correct bins, and they are put out for collection on the correct days
• Security - generally keeping an eye on the property and responding to alarm activations (they would be the primary keyholders for this house and also keyholders for other properties both locally and in London)
• Occasional driving of principals and errands - e.g. dry cleaners, or collecting purchases either locally or from London (not essential if they can’t drive)
• Periodically visiting our other properties (mostly now in London) to check on them
Groundskeeper (Gardener / Handyman combined)
House maintenance
• Basics like topping up the water softener, checking on the oil level and irrigation system, picture hanging and other basic DIY
• Regular visual inspections e.g. checking for leaks, slipped slates on the roof, etc
• Keeping guttering clear
• Regularly raking and if necessary adding to gravel on driveways
• Cleaning external terraces, garden furniture and exterior walls
• Touching up paintwork, small repairs, etc
Gardening
• Mostly mowing the lawn (it can be done in 1 - 1.5 days since most of our land is either meadow or farmland)
• Tending to some small flower beds
• Hedge trimming
• Fence maintenance and repairs
General Duties
• Answering gates (using a phone app) in working hours and dealing with deliveries
• Receive and closely supervise contractors when in house / garden (not left out of sight when in main house)
• Organisation - Booking in of contractors for both ad hoc and regular works at the house (only when agreed with the principals)
• Refuse collections - ensuring the correct refuse is put in the correct bins, and they are put out for collection on the correct days.
• Security - generally keeping an eye on the property and responding to alarm activations (primary keyholder for this house and also keyholder for other properties both locally and in London)
• Occasional driving of principals and errands - e.g. dry cleaners, or collecting purchases either locally or from London (not essential if they can’t drive)
• Periodically visiting our other properties (mostly now in London) to check on them
Start date: Ideally September, but flexible for the right couple
Working week: Monday – Friday: 8am – 5/5:30pm with flexibility (Occasional driving responsibilities on a weekend, planned in advance)
Accommodation: A beautiful 3-bedroom apartment, within the main house, with own entrance and outdoor space. (A small pet would be considered, no dependents)
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 gpa, depending on experience
Driving: At least one must be a confident driver
Job reference number: 116352
Responsible consultant: Georgia Lester