House comes with Security Guy? Any thoughts?

Hello Chennai expats!

I was wondering if any of you have encountered this situation?

Renting a House that comes with a "security" guy.

The owner of the house we will be renting has asked us if we will keep on the current "security" guy. Basically, this house is brand new and unoccupied, so the owner hired him to live there 24hrs a day and open the gate for the realtors bringing clients for housing viewing. He pays him 10,000 Rs per month.

However, on the 3 occasions that we went to view this same house, this "security" guy was never there. The realtor had to drive around the neighbourhood to look for him to get the house key.

Secondly, during the very brief conversation I had with him during one of our visits, he barely understood my questions in English. I asked him his name and how long he had worked there, and his instant reply was 10,000 Rs. He said he was from Nepal.

I also didn't feel comfortable with him.

The owner has asked if we will keep this guy on to do tasks for us like watering the plants, cleaning the terrace. He also wants to "live-in" with us, which I am not keen on as we plan to have a live-in Nanny for my toddler.

Also I think 10,000 Rs per month is way too much to pay someone to do these simple tasks. In addition, I don't think we need a 24hr security guard.

Can Chennai expats please give me your views?

I have been told these are the going rates for household staff, please also let me know if they are correct:

Live-in Nanny: 8000 - 10,000 per month
Live-out maid (comes in Mon-Sat): 6000 per month
Driver, full-time, Sunday off: 7000-8000 per month
Security Guard (night only) - 5000 per month

Thanks!

If the watchman is live-in then It should be about 3500 to 4500, and can be the man about the house doing gardening, and other things.

Live out maid, should work between 3k to 5k

Driver 7k to 8k is fine. You need to test drive the drivers before you hire them. Some turn out to be louts while some may not be very comfortable with larger vehicles. But my driver is my man friday, and does my bank work too. Costs me 7.5k

Live in nanny is the strange one... I have hired women for about 4,500. This is usually because their every need is taken care of by the house, like food, rooming, and medicals... Traditionally the staff at home are given clothes or money for festivals.

WBR,

Ronnie

Get rid of him. Overpaid and probably works elsewhere and probably sleeps on the night security.

Yes, you must follow your instincts concerning your employees, especially if they are around for 24 hours. Seems to me this guy is interested in how much money he can get out of you.
Says it all. No need to think any further on this.

Agree with #3. In addition, doubt the landlord is paying him 10k.

In the OP's place, I would make this watchman's dismissal a condition before finalising the lease, all else being suitable.

Disclaimer: not an expat.

Use extreme caution when hiring in house nanny, make sure to do police verification.

i second that , please do use discretion ....

I don't see any issues: owner hired him, so, he is free to pay any wages from his pocket.

PS: I mean watchman is basically part of the "house package", tenants is not supposed to handle such kind of employee, only in case if watchman is also your personal domestic help, driver, etc... In this case, he supposed to take care about house owner's property, so, he should be paid accordingly - from his pocket.

A friend went through this nightmare in another town. Get rid of him before you take the property. Because later getting rid of him might lead to a lot of problem. In Bengal even political parties get involved to sort out these issues. At 10k he is extremely expensive and I have a feeling the landlord has probably not paid him for a few months or underpaid him promising such a day in future when a foreigner will come and pay all the past dues. That's what happened to my friend. Don't get taken for a ride.

Thanks for all your advice. The landlord has asked us to "try him out for a month". I'm not so keen on this as I can't speak any Tamil or Hindi and this guy can't speak a word of English. Also we have to pay him, and not the landlord

The overwhelming majority of the Indian security guard tribe appear to be stricken with severe cases of terminal narcolepsy.

I wouldn't loose any sleep over it, they sure won't .....

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If possible, change 'guy' in the title to 'security guy'.

Yes RWe, my mind also boggled when I saw the original title









The thread title is now edited for clarity.

Don't. He will leave with a bigger grudge against you at the end of the month.

Domestic staff can be the connecting point between you and crime.

If the landlord is as insistent as he seems to be, walk away from the landlord and the house. It may be, of course, that the landlord is insistent because it means he will be getting regular reports from his man --- which is just as uncomfortable.

You are the "buyer" here: exercise your right not to!

I second what Nick said above. The advice to 'try out' for a month comes with a price tag - so it is something you will be paying for.