Essential House Rules for Your Maid: A Complete Guide

Essential House Rules for Your Maid: A Complete Guide

Bringing a maid or domestic helper into your home is a significant step. It's not just about hiring someone to clean or cook—it's about building a respectful working relationship based on clear expectations and mutual understanding.

The foundation of this relationship? Clear, well-communicated house rules.

Without clear rules, even the most experienced helper can struggle to meet your expectations. With them, you create a harmonious household where everyone knows their role and feels respected.

In this guide, we'll cover: ✅ Why house rules matter ✅ Essential rules every household needs ✅ Singapore-specific requirements ✅ How to communicate rules effectively ✅ Tools to help enforce rules consistently

Why House Rules Matter

Think of house rules as the operating manual for your home. They:

  • Prevent misunderstandings – No more "I didn't know that" moments
  • Set clear boundaries – Both you and your helper know what's expected
  • Build trust – When expectations are clear, your helper can work with confidence
  • Reduce conflict – Fewer disagreements about what should be done
  • Create consistency – Tasks get done the same way, every time

Real Example: Mrs. Tan used to get frustrated when her helper Lina would "clean the kitchen" but miss wiping the counters. After establishing clear house rules that specified "wipe all counters with disinfectant after every meal," the problem disappeared.

Essential House Rules Categories

1. Work Schedule & Time Management

Clear work hours prevent burnout and ensure your helper knows when they're on duty.

Key Rules to Establish:

  • Start and end times (e.g., 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
  • Break times (e.g., 1-hour lunch break at 12 PM)
  • Rest days (when and how many per month)
  • Overtime policy (when extra work is expected and how it's compensated)
  • Punctuality expectations (what happens if they're late)

Singapore-Specific: MOM requires at least 1 rest day per week. If your helper agrees to work on rest days, you must provide compensation—either in-lieu rest day or overtime pay (at least 1.5x the hourly rate).

2. Privacy & Boundaries

Your home is your sanctuary. Establishing privacy rules protects both you and your helper.

Key Rules to Establish:

  • Private areas (e.g., master bedroom, home office, study)
  • Personal belongings (policy on using family items like TV, phone, computer)
  • Communication boundaries (when it's appropriate to call or message you)
  • Guest policy (rules about visitors or phone calls during work hours)
  • Social media (policy on posting photos of your home or family)

Example Rule:

"Please knock before entering any bedroom. The master bedroom and home office are private areas. Please do not enter unless specifically asked."

3. Household Routines & Standards

Every household has its own rhythm. Documenting yours ensures consistency.

Key Rules to Establish:

  • Meal preparation (what to cook, when, and dietary preferences)
  • Cleaning standards (how clean is "clean enough" for different areas)
  • Laundry procedures (how to handle different fabrics, folding preferences)
  • Kitchen rules (food storage, appliance usage, cleanup expectations)
  • Pet care (if applicable, feeding, walking, cleaning)

Example Rule:

"All bedsheets must be changed every Friday. Fold them in thirds, not halves. Use the gentle cycle for delicates."

4. Safety & Security

Safety rules protect your home, family, and helper.

Key Rules to Establish:

  • Door and window locking (when to lock/unlock, especially when leaving)
  • Emergency procedures (who to call in different situations)
  • Appliance safety (guidelines for stoves, ovens, electrical devices)
  • Child safety (if caring for kids, specific rules to follow)
  • Fire safety (what to do in case of fire, location of extinguishers)

Example Rule:

"Always lock the front door when leaving the house, even for a quick errand. Never leave children unattended near water or cooking areas."

5. Communication & Feedback

Clear communication channels prevent small issues from becoming big problems.

Key Rules to Establish:

  • Daily check-ins (when and how to report completed tasks)
  • Questions (encourage asking when unsure)
  • Feedback process (how you'll provide constructive feedback)
  • Concern reporting (process for raising issues or concerns)
  • Language preferences (when to use translation tools)

Example Rule:

"Please check the task list in HelperTask every morning. Mark tasks as completed when done. If you're unsure about anything, ask immediately—it's better to ask twice than make a mistake."

6. Personal Conduct

Professional conduct expectations create a respectful working environment.

Key Rules to Establish:

  • Phone usage (guidelines for personal phone use during work hours)
  • Dress code (any specific requirements for work)
  • Smoking/drinking (clear rules on these behaviors)
  • Grooming (expectations for personal hygiene)
  • Respect (treating family members and guests with courtesy)

Example Rule:

"Personal phone calls should be kept brief and during break times. Please keep your phone on silent while working."

Singapore-Specific Requirements

If you're in Singapore, these legal requirements must be part of your house rules:

MOM Requirements:

  • Rest days: At least 1 rest day per week (can be compensated if helper agrees to work)
  • Salary: Minimum SGD 600 per month for new hires (as of 2023)
  • Medical care: Employers must provide medical insurance and cover medical expenses
  • Food: Adequate meals must be provided (or food allowance)
  • Accommodation: Safe and adequate living space
  • Working hours: Reasonable working hours (typically 8-12 hours per day)

Documentation:

  • Work Permit: Must be valid and displayed
  • Employment Contract: Signed copy provided to helper
  • Insurance: Medical and personal accident insurance
  • Orientation: First-time employers must complete Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP)

Tip: Display your helper's work permit and a summary of their rights in a visible area. This shows transparency and builds trust.

How to Communicate House Rules Effectively

Having rules is one thing. Getting your helper to understand and follow them is another.

1. Start on Day One

Don't wait until problems arise to establish rules. Review house rules during the first day or two when your helper starts.

Best Practice:

  • Walk through each rule verbally
  • Demonstrate examples (e.g., show how to fold towels)
  • Provide written documentation
  • Ask your helper to repeat back key points

2. Keep It Simple and Clear

Avoid complex language or vague instructions. Use simple, direct language.

Instead of:

"Please ensure the kitchen is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness."

Say:

"Wipe all counters with disinfectant after every meal. Sweep the floor daily."

3. Use Visuals

Photos and diagrams help clarify expectations, especially if there's a language barrier.

Examples:

  • Photos of how towels should be folded
  • Diagram of where items belong in the fridge
  • Before/after photos of a "clean" room

4. Be Consistent

Rules only work if they're enforced consistently. Don't make exceptions unless absolutely necessary.

Example: If you have a rule about no phone use during work hours, don't allow it one day and forbid it the next. This creates confusion.

5. Review and Adjust

Life changes, and so should your rules. Review house rules quarterly and adjust as needed.

When to Update Rules:

  • New family members arrive (baby, elderly parent)
  • Schedule changes (new job, school year)
  • New appliances or routines
  • After major feedback from your helper

Tools to Help Enforce Rules

HelperTask: Your House Rules Companion

Keeping track of house rules and ensuring they're followed is easier with the right tools.

HelperTask helps you:

✅ Document all house rules in one place – No more scattered notes or forgotten instructions ✅ Create recurring task lists – Rules become actionable tasks ✅ Send reminders – Gentle nudges when tasks are due ✅ Track compliance – See what's been done and what hasn't ✅ Provide visual instructions – Attach photos to tasks for clarity ✅ Enable two-way communication – Helpers can ask questions directly in the app

Example Workflow:

  1. Input all house rules into HelperTask
  2. Create recurring tasks based on rules (e.g., "Change bedsheets every Friday")
  3. Your helper checks the app daily for tasks
  4. They mark tasks as complete when done
  5. You receive notifications and can verify work

This eliminates the need for constant reminders and ensures rules are followed consistently.

Common House Rules Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Too Many Rules

Overwhelming your helper with dozens of rules creates anxiety and confusion.

Solution: Focus on the 10-15 most important rules. You can always add more later.

❌ Mistake 2: Vague Rules

Rules like "be respectful" or "keep things clean" are open to interpretation.

Solution: Be specific. "Wipe the kitchen counter after every meal" is clear and actionable.

❌ Mistake 3: Not Writing Rules Down

Verbal rules are easily forgotten or misremembered.

Solution: Document all rules in writing. Use HelperTask or a physical notebook.

❌ Mistake 4: Inconsistent Enforcement

Rules that are sometimes enforced and sometimes ignored create confusion.

Solution: Be consistent. If a rule isn't important enough to enforce, remove it.

❌ Mistake 5: Not Explaining "Why"

Rules without context feel arbitrary and unfair.

Solution: Explain the reasoning behind rules. "We lock the door when leaving because safety is important" makes more sense than just "always lock the door."

Sample House Rules Template

Here's a template you can adapt for your home:

Work Schedule

  • Work hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Lunch break: 1 hour (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)
  • Rest days: Every Sunday (can work for overtime pay if agreed)
  • Punctuality: Please notify me if you'll be more than 15 minutes late

Privacy

  • Please knock before entering any bedroom
  • Master bedroom and home office are private areas
  • Do not enter unless specifically asked
  • Personal phone calls should be during break times only

Cleaning Standards

  • Kitchen: Wipe all counters with disinfectant after every meal
  • Floors: Vacuum/sweep daily, mop twice per week
  • Bathrooms: Clean daily, deep clean every Sunday
  • Laundry: Fold clothes in thirds, not halves

Safety

  • Always lock doors and windows when leaving the house
  • Never leave children unattended near water or cooking areas
  • Turn off all appliances when not in use
  • Emergency contacts: [List numbers]

Communication

  • Check HelperTask every morning for daily tasks
  • Mark tasks as completed when done
  • Ask questions immediately if unsure
  • Weekly check-in: Every Friday at 6 PM to discuss the week

Final Thoughts

Clear house rules aren't about control—they're about creating a respectful, efficient household where everyone knows their role and feels valued.

When you invest time in establishing and communicating rules upfront, you save countless hours of frustration later. Your helper can work with confidence, and you can enjoy a well-managed home without constant supervision.

Remember: The goal isn't perfection. It's alignment.

With clear rules, consistent communication, and tools like HelperTask to keep everything organized, you can build a harmonious working relationship that benefits everyone in your home.

Ready to establish clear house rules? Try HelperTask — document your rules, create recurring tasks, and ensure consistency without the hassle.