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Couple Job

  • Sector: Housekeeping, Private Households & Estates
  • Function: Couple
  • Contact: Shannon Anderson
  • Contact Phone: +442072339950
  • Start Date: When the right person is found
  • Location: Surrey
  • Salary: Negotiable on experience
  • Job Ref: 241745
  • Contact Email: shannon@greycoatlumleys.co.uk

Live-In Couple Job: Housekeeper and Handyman/Gardener/Security Person

Private farm and residence near Dorking, Surrey | Full-time permanent position for an experienced couple

Overview

The principal is seeking a reliable, practical and experienced couple to support the smooth running of a private home and working farm approximately two miles from the centre of Dorking. One partner will undertake the Housekeeper role, while the other will be responsible for handyman, gardening, maintenance and security duties.

The property comprises the principal’s residence, a staff bungalow, six let houses, farm buildings and approximately 248 acres of farmland. The farmland is let, so the role does not involve work with crops or livestock. The couple must be comfortable working independently, alongside the principal and with tenants or contractors when required.

This is a permanent live-in position. A three-bedroom bungalow is provided, together with household bills as detailed below. Both applicants must be confident drivers.

Handyman/Gardener/Security Person

Key Responsibilities

  • Carrying out improvements, repairs and general maintenance across the principal’s residence, six let houses, farm buildings and wider property.

  • Undertaking minor plumbing, electrical, carpentry and painting work within the scope of experience.

  • Repairing or replacing fences and maintaining farm tracks and water supplies, including work that may involve significant manual effort.

  • Using and maintaining chainsaws, a tractor and trailer, log splitter, post driver, mowers, strimmer and other appropriate machinery safely.

  • Clearing fallen trees and branches, sawing and splitting timber for logs and occasionally delivering logs to buyers.

  • Maintaining the garden and farmyard, including mowing, strimming, pruning, weeding, planting flowers and helping to revive the vegetable garden.

  • Providing security for the house and farm buildings when the principal is away, including opening and closing gates, making evening checks and responding to alarms, including at weekends and on bank holidays when required.

  • Becoming familiar with the CCTV system and reviewing footage when necessary during the principal’s absence.

  • Washing and carrying out routine checks on cars and the Land Rover, including oil, tyres and water.

  • Driving the principal to and from Gatwick or Heathrow airports and Dorking station, occasionally outside normal working hours.

  • Undertaking occasional longer-distance driving connected with the principal’s holidays in Scotland, including overnight travel and flights between Edinburgh and Gatwick.

  • Completing errands and other reasonable duties associated with the property.

A current chainsaw certificate is required, although the principal is willing to fund suitable training if the successful applicant does not already hold one. Experience operating an excavator and cherry picker would be advantageous.

Housekeeper

Key Responsibilities

  • Cleaning the principal’s home and the log cabin in the garden to a consistently high standard.

  • Preparing a traditional English lunch for the principal and leaving cold plates for supper and weekends.

  • Providing occasional family cooking and preparing meals for guests.

  • Making the principal’s bed and preparing guest bedrooms when required.

  • Shopping, usually twice each week.

  • Managing laundry and ironing, which is undertaken at the staff bungalow.

  • Caring for indoor plants.

  • Helping in the garden where possible, although this is not essential.

  • Occasionally cleaning a let house between tenancies.

  • Forwarding correspondence to the principal during holidays.

  • Completing errands and other reasonable household duties.

Working Pattern and Time Off

The working day begins at 8.00 a.m. with a discussion between the principal and both members of the couple and normally finishes at 5.00 p.m., except when security duties are required during the principal’s absence. Each person has a 30-minute mid-morning break and one hour for lunch.

The role is based on a five-day working week averaged across a fortnight. In the first week, the couple will work Tuesday to Friday and have Saturday and Sunday off. In the following week, they will work Monday to Saturday and have Sunday and Monday off. This provides ten working days in each fortnight. The pattern may occasionally change by mutual agreement.

Annual leave comprises eight bank holidays and four working weeks, equivalent to 20 working days. Holiday entitlement will be calculated pro rata for anyone joining part-way through the calendar year.

Accommodation

A three-bedroom bungalow is provided. The principal pays the council tax, water, electricity and the basic standing charge for the telephone line. The couple will be responsible for telephone calls outside the basic service and any optional broadband or entertainment package.

The bungalow has hot water and central heating supplied by a ground-source heat pump and a fireplace in the sitting room. Any smokeless coal used for the fireplace will be paid for by the couple. There is no gas. Basic furniture can be provided if required.

Requirements

  • Previous experience in a similar private household, estate, farm or country property role is essential.

  • Strong practical maintenance, gardening and DIY skills for the Handyman/Gardener/Security Person.

  • Good knowledge of traditional English cooking and a high standard of housekeeping for the Housekeeper.

  • Full driving licences and confidence driving for work-related journeys.

  • A discreet, trustworthy and proactive approach.

  • The ability to work independently and alongside the principal, tenants and contractors.

  • Good physical fitness for practical and manual duties.

  • A genuine interest in a long-term, permanent position.

  • Excellent references and the right to work in the UK.

Salary and Additional Information

A gross salary is paid monthly through the principal’s accountants, with deductions made for PAYE income tax, employee National Insurance contributions and NEST pension contributions.

A Ford Focus is provided for business use, including shopping and airport journeys. The couple should ideally have their own vehicle for personal use. No pets or additional residents will be permitted without the principal’s prior agreement. The successful couple must be fully committed to these roles and may not hold another occupation. Smoking and vaping are not permitted in the principal’s home, any of the let houses or while working with the principal outdoors.

Candidates should apply as a couple and provide a current CV for each applicant, together with details of availability, any holidays already booked for the remainder of 2026 and relevant certificates or machinery experience.

Consultant to contact: Shannon Anderson 

Vacancy number: 241745