FDH sleeping arrangements

Our helper has her own room which is quite nice with own shower/bathroom and room is kitted out with wardrobe, mirror, cupboards etc. This is generally how the apartment is laid out and its very comfortable and nice, with aircon etc.


We are planning to move now and I've looked at a lot of apartments which we like for many reasons but the one we particularly like has no actual maid's room. There is a "space" where a washing machine goes and the landlord has said we can put a maid's bed there, which folds up etc etc. Agents who have showed me other apts and I said where does the maid sleep and they said just on that board on top of a washing machine etc or they put a mattress on floor in the kitchen etc. I really hate to do this to my helper, I do want her to have somewhere nice to sleep. We will have lots of storage for her clothes etc, albeit in another room.


I do not want her to share with my child for no reason other than my child sleeps alone and not even in our bedroom. We will have a 2 bed apt.


Any ideas on how to solve this problem as we'd like to take the apartment? Any ideas of what other people do, although from my agent's reports I'm still wondering whether what she tells me could possibly be true? I dont think my helper will be happy when she sees the new apartment and really want her to be satisfied with her sleeping arrangments. Do we turn down this apartment for this reason? Problems, problems - any advice?

I'm not endorsing the practice but plenty of helpers sleep on top of washing machines, on the floor, in a set of cabinets in the kitchen, in windowless closets, on fire escapes... The law states that a helper needs a "private space" but there is no room requirement.


Personally, I would turn down an apartment like the one you describe.

Thanks axptguy but this does not help my query. I'm really looking for advice as to what other options people use i.e. type of bed to close up or down during the day - where to find these? Also whilst I want to give my helper the most comfy bed possible, with the layout and shortage of space in HK apartments, it seems its not always easy. I have seen some awful apartments with space provided for FDH to sleep but I dont want to live in a squathole with my family just because the sleeping plan is not so good for the FDH. Having said that what I'd like to know is an alternative way that others make space for helper to sleep.


It amazes me that someone can renovate an apt into a lovely place and make the kitchen so big with an island in the middle for spacious cooking, with no thought of where a helper can sleep !!

Some people give the helper a spare bedroom.


I suppose a carpenter could rig up a bed that folds down.

We could do that but we don't have a spare bedroom!! I would certainly have no problem with that.


Anyone got any other ideas of what they actually do when no 'specific' maid's room is converted in your apartment?

I think axptguy's idea of getting a carpenters quotes to redsign the space would be a good idea, maybe the washer and dryer could be put outside, in a protective cupboard/stacked or single on the balcony or terrace.

Alternatively, if they cannot be moved, then a bunk bed arrangement with storage for her clothes built around them.

we just moved into a new apt much smaller than the old one. our old one has a decent size maid's room, enough to fit her bed, a small ikea wardrobe and her own bathroom. The new one's maid's room is very small, narrow and has no window. of course we'd like for her to live comfortably but really our budget does not allow it. When we were looking, we told the agent that we need a maid's room. obviously that limited our options but i think having giving the helper her own room is important to her and to us as well. I wouldn't want her to share room with my baby because after she retreats to her room when her work is finished, she listens to music, talks on the phone or does whatever she wants to do. If she were to share a room, she really loses a lot of privacy and so do we.


with regards to her bed, I actually had one custom made years ago. our helper's very petite, so this bunk bed frame is smaller than the Ikea one, giving her more space in the room. the shop i believe is on aberdeen rd near so ho.

we just moved into a new apt much smaller than the old one. our old one has a decent size maid's room, enough to fit her bed, a small ikea wardrobe and her own bathroom. The new one's maid's room is very small, narrow and has no window. of course we'd like for her to live comfortably but really our budget does not allow it. When we were looking, we told the agent that we need a maid's room. obviously that limited our options but i think having giving the helper her own room is important to her and to us as well. I wouldn't want her to share room with my baby because after she retreats to her room when her work is finished, she listens to music, talks on the phone or does whatever she wants to do. If she were to share a room, she really loses a lot of privacy and so do we.


with regards to her bed, I actually had one custom made years ago. our helper's very petite, so this bunk bed frame is smaller than the Ikea one, giving her more space in the room. the shop i believe is on aberdeen rd near so ho.

Dear WwcC,


We have the exact same problem as yours. We are now renting a flat with a big maid s room (actually, it used to be 2 maid's rooms reunited), she has a proper wc/bathroom, the kitchen and the back door. The feeling is more like a small flat. We have bought a much smaller flat in a very old building without any maid's room. We were very concern about this issue (actually it maybe was our biggest issue). But we decided we could not decide on our investment depending on a maid's room. I guess it is exactly how you feel. We are now very concerned as our plans to break a wall and extend the space to create a confortable maid s room are not possible (structural walls). And we cannot change the layout of the flat just because of this. We told her already it was going to be a very small room, very very small. We asked her what she would think of a boarding house (regardless the fact we would have to pay for it around 1,000HKD to 2,000Hkd a month). She immediately replied she'd rather not to, because she then would have to share a room with others. She prefers a very small room, rather than to share. I also think it is because she feels happy living with us. We are very respectful of her, caring, I hope, and try to offer her at least 2 holidays back in the Philippines per year (around 2-3 weeks each).


So we will build a tiny room against the backdoor, so that she still can go in the staircase to make phone calls, chat with the building helpers.. We think the bed will be very small (65cmX1.75cm), but foldable against the wall, and some space 1.30mX1m (on top of the bed space). There is also a large window.


We are very worried as people might see this as inacceptable. But I am sure our helper prefer to have such a tiny space, but being treated with respect and kindness, rather than have a normal room with very rude employers.


My point is that you can maybe arrange the utilities cabinet, or even a space in the kitchen (foldable mat), as long as you are kind and respectful to her.


Some might say what I am suggesting is not respectful in the first place, but I would argue that our helper says she used to work for a very rude family, who kept yelling at her and not give her her full sunday off. To me the respect is not material.

Do not feel bad about this. I want to share that a kitted out maids room is a thing foreigners do. In their home countries I doubt this is the case. At least I've never seen it in the Philippines. It would be rare that they had their own room in their own house, if they did they are well off. Perhaps we feel guilty or think we are getting a better employee, I don't feel it works this way. If you were to give them the choice of cash of furniture I think they can use the cash. Lessons for your next helper.


The reason spaces might not have room for a maid is that if you hire a local maid you are not required for them to live in. It is not unusual for them to sleep on a cot on the LR floor or under the dining table or in the kitchen on the floor. This is also for security purposes. There are also folding futons available. I think the folding bed is a great idea if you don't like the futon. IKEA also has the Trosmo bed that would be easy to move out of the way. Maybe you could have the bed fold out of a cabinet in the LR or entry.


I think that remaining employed is much more important than a "kitted" out sleeping area. I agree w/ EL that the respected relationship is much more important than the material goods. Please do not feel bad for this issue.

Thanks all for your replies.


HKGShe, our apartment is owned by a chinese couple and they actually kitted the maid's area out like I described so more than foreigners do this!


My real question was how do I go about converting / making / arranging a maid's sleeping area if one does not exist. Agents have suggested a fold out bed etc but really wanted to know if anyone has purchased one and from where or how anyone else created a sleeping area that did not exist. Really want ideas for how to create a sleeping area for maid where none actually exist. Difficult I know to suggest perhaps as not seen the area but if I get ideas how others have done it either in part of the kitchen area etc, i may be able to do same.


Otherwise I'm surprised how many apts in HK do not have maid's area for sleeping considering almost every household has a maid!

a fold-up bed sounds harsh. would you like to live like that?

WWcC "Otherwise I'm surprised how many apts in HK do not have maid's area for sleeping considering almost every household has a maid!"


Huge exageration. Less than 300k FDH in HK. Over 2.3m households in HK. Some households have more than one FDH. Therefore less than 13% of HK households have a maid.