Anonymous wrote:Charging for living-in while you’re forced to endure no privacy or legally mandated “quiet time” (as in a regular rental after certain hours) is CRAZY.

If you do charge for housing, the nanny must have the ability to put a lock on her door, or the room is not hers.

Not just her door. If she’s charged, it must be space completely separate from the family, and the employer enters with notice, just like a landlord would.

Anonymous wrote:I would think about this in terms of making sure she doesn’t need more work to pay personal expenses. If she has to get a second job it’s going to lead to schedule conflicts. So I would be aiming to get $200-300/week in her hands to keep things smooth.

This.

I would think about this in terms of making sure she doesn’t need more work to pay personal expenses. If she has to get a second job it’s going to lead to schedule conflicts. So I would be aiming to get $200-300/week in her hands to keep things smooth.

Charging for living-in while you’re forced to endure no privacy or legally mandated “quiet time” (as in a regular rental after certain hours) is CRAZY.

If you do charge for housing, the nanny must have the ability to put a lock on her door, or the room is not hers.

I think the legal arrangement be to include the value of the room as part of her compensation, but then you (and she) both pay employment taxes on it. PP is right about if live-in is a requirement, you can't charge her. The bonus of requiring though is that there is no tax implication if live-in is required for employer's convenience.
So minimum wage + required live-in might be a reasonable compromise. Don't forget to pay taxes and get workers comp insurance (not as painful as it sounds, if you go through an online service)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We pay $20/hour and deduct $800 per month for the room. The room is probably worth $1200 if I rented it out.

If living is is a part of her job, you cannot deduct rent for room.

Sounds like she doesn't care.

Anonymous wrote:We pay $20/hour and deduct $800 per month for the room. The room is probably worth $1200 if I rented it out.

If living is is a part of her job, you cannot deduct rent for room.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't hire a friend's son or daughter to be a nanny or other household employee. There are just too many opportunities for something to go wrong and damage your friendship.

Very, very, very true! Hiring a friend or relative is not a good idea, hiring their child would be worse.

I disagree. But you do you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many unknown details, but about $15/hr. is on the lower end.

no its not- not for a live-in nanny who is only working 15 hours a week. You have to realistically assess what your room and board is worth- own bedroom/bathroom plus board in the close in dc area? maybe worth 1000 a month. In this situation I would probably pay less than 15 given that you are already paying her nearly $15 an hour for the room and board.

The better parents may prefer to place a higher value on the best childcare they can find - and afford.