boarding a maid

I was speaking to my neighbour whose maid occasionally babysits and does catsitting for us. They're leaving HKG in Sept. The person replacing her husband's job have agreed to hire their maid. Upon my neighbours' departure, the office will be doing two months of renovation on their apartment before the new person moves in in November. My neighbour told me that her maid was out checking some boarding places as she'll have to move out of the apartment when they leave and she will have to find somewhere temporary to stay for 2 months while the renovation work is being carried out.



I mentioned this to my husband and we discussed the possibility of letting her bunk in with us. We actually have a maid's room but don't have a maid. Our maid's room is currently our cats' room (we've got 2). We've thought up of some plans with regards to the cats, eg. alternative areas for their litter tray and food if she should move in.


I don't expect her to do any housework for me while she's here but wouldn't mind the occasional babysitting. I suppose we could say to her that she can buy and cook her own food but can use my condiments, sauces, etc. Basically, I don't expect her to be in the house all day like she's my maid or something although I don't know whether she would feel uncomfortable if she has to sit at home doing nothing. I suppose she would play with my two young children if she's bored and watch some TV. Utilities are paid for by the office, so that's not a problem.


So, what do you all think? Would this work? What sort of problems could crop up? What should I watch out for? Would we or she be doing something illegal by her staying with us? We haven't said anything about this to her or my neighbour yet.

It is illegal to have a DH in your home, who is not in contract with you, even if your intentions are good.

For your other queries, it could go smooth with her helping with the babysitting & so on but it couls also go the other way....where you can have many problems.

As you seem to know her already...it may be fine.

I would not take her in for the simple reason...its Illegal.

My neighbour said their contract with her is till November although they will be departing in September. My husband said she would be no different to a house guest or a visiting friend/relative. So, we definitely can't let her stay for free because she's a DH and we don't have a contract with her?

of course you can let her stay, if the employer released her then her visa now is a tourist visa.

Once she found a new employer and submit all the documents to the ID,they will extend her visa,she doesn't need to go back to Philippines.

Her current employer's successor has already agreed to take her on. He will move into the apartment once the renovation is completed in November and she can only move back into the maid's room then. She just went on holiday to the Philippines about 4 mths ago and doesn't want to go back again during that time the apartment is bring renovated as she feels she'll spend too much money.

Thanks for all your replies. Will have a talk with hubby later and decide our next step.

Some employers' who left HK before the end of contract with their maid do not cut their helpers' working visa. Technically, a month before the end of the contract is already considered as finish contract. Add to it the 14 days annual leave ( more if she has worked longer ) plus other unclaimed holidays could easily sum up to the two months difference as stated in this case. Also some companies who pays for the helper will " withhold" the helper to work for their new man.


In my opinion, as long as she is permitted to stay and you wanted to offer her a roof over her head, you are being a good Samaritan and should do so. No self respecting guest will sat idle around and would normally offer or ask if they could give a hand.


Two months sounds too long if you find out after a week that you do not think it works out the way you thought it would be. May I suggest to try it for a fortnight to begin with and impose borderline ( i.e when the door that leads to the main room is close, it means she is off limit to enter and should stay in her room or kitchen area--- assuming that the room is at the back, which is a norm for a maid's room )what she can and cannot cook ( you may not like her frying dried or fresh fish all the time and make the whole house smell fishy :) ; and the ideal time to do her cooking.


Goodluck.