A nanny should not pay a family anything to work for them, even if the nanny is “live-in”.
The industry standard is for families to provide room and board fully free of charge to live-in nannies. The vast majority of nannies expect to live rent-free as part of the common job perks and benefits. Charging any amount of rent goes against typical industry norms and practices. Most nannies apply for live-in positions with the assumption they will not owe rent.
Live-in nannies tend to work very long hours, often upwards of 50-60 hours per week or even more, and they sometimes accept a lower rate for being a live-in. Requiring rent from live-in nannies should therefore not even be considered.
Being a live-in nanny can be quite demanding, both physically and emotionally. It is extremely hard work and a huge sacrifice. Providing free housing helps make up for the challenges and difficulties of the job.
Parents greatly benefit from the convenience, flexibility, and peace of mind that comes with having 24/7 in-home childcare.
Besides, Nannies are only living with their employer because they requested them to do so.
Most of the time, live-in nannies are not provided their own separate private living quarters and must share common spaces with the family.
Requiring rent for live-in nannies is therefore neither fair nor appropriate.
And let’s be honest, it really doesn’t cost a family that much more in bills to have a live-in nanny in their home…
Even if they don’t pay rent, nannies still have other bills aside from rent. Often, if they agree to live-in, it’s also to be able to put more money aside, so the arrangement would be much less attractive if rent had to be paid!
