Skip to main content

A household employee offer letter for Florida families

A good offer letter puts the basics in writing before the first day: who the employer is, the duties, the schedule, the pay and how it is paid, any live-in terms, and how either side can end the arrangement. Use the outline below as a starting point and adapt it to your household. Free for families through 2026. Candidates never pay.

Outline you can adapt

  1. Parties and date. Employer (the family member who signs) and employee, with start date.
  2. Position and duties. Title, main duties, what is not included, and who the employee reports to.
  3. Work location. Home address area; any other properties; travel with the family if applicable.
  4. Schedule. Days and hours, how changes are agreed, and whether the role is live-in or live-out.
  5. Pay. Hourly or salary rate, how often paid, method of payment, and how overtime is handled for this role. Be careful with any statement that overtime does or does not apply.
  6. Minimum wage check. The rate must be at least Florida's minimum wage. The current rate is $15.00 per hour from September 30, 2026, per FloridaCommerce (formerly DEO).
  7. Employment status. State that the person is a household employee, paid through payroll, with the family handling employer taxes.
  8. Payroll and tax forms. Employee completes Form W-4 if they want federal income tax withheld, and Form I-9 for work authorization.
  9. Live-in terms (if applicable). Housing provided, meals, expected sleep and free time, and how interruptions are recorded.
  10. Time off. Holidays, vacation and sick time, if you offer them, and how to request them.
  11. Expenses and equipment. What the employer reimburses (groceries, mileage, supplies) and how to submit it.
  12. Driving and vehicles. Whose car is used, insurance and who pays for fuel and tolls.
  13. Privacy and confidentiality. What the employee agrees to keep private, and rules about photos, social media and visitors.
  14. Trial period and reviews. A trial period if you want one, and when you will review how things are going.
  15. Ending the arrangement. Notice each side will try to give, and what happens to housing for a live-in employee. Florida is generally an at-will employment state, but any notice or severance promise you write becomes part of your agreement.
  16. Signatures and date.

Short fill-in template

Household Employment Offer

Employer: [name]. Employee: [name]. Start date: [date].

Position: [title]. Duties: [list]. Reports to: [name].

Schedule: [days and hours]. Live-in / live-out: [choose].

Pay: [rate] paid [weekly / every other week], by [method]. Overtime: [how handled].

Time off: [holidays, vacation, sick time].

Expenses: [what is reimbursed and how].

Confidentiality: [short statement].

Notice to end: [how much notice each side will give, in plain words].

Signed: [employer] [employee] [date].

Sources

Not legal or tax advice.

This page is general information for families who hire household staff directly. It is not legal or tax advice, and it may not fit your situation. Ask a qualified adviser, or contact the government offices linked below, for your own facts. HomeHire is not the employer and does not run payroll or hold wages.

Explore the US Salary Guide for national, state, and metro pay context.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a written offer letter for a nanny or housekeeper?

It is not something this page can require, but a written offer helps both sides know what was agreed on pay, schedule, duties and live-in terms. Ask a qualified adviser what applies to your household.

What should a household employee offer letter include?

At minimum: the parties, duties, schedule, pay and how it is paid, time off, expenses, confidentiality and how either side can end the arrangement. Live-in roles should also cover housing, meals and free time.

What is Florida's minimum wage for a household employee?

FloridaCommerce lists Florida's minimum wage as $15.00 per hour from September 30, 2026 through December 31, 2027. Check the FloridaCommerce page for the latest.

Do I need a work authorization form for a household employee?

Employers generally complete Form I-9 to verify work authorization for employees they hire, including household employees. Read the IRS and USCIS guidance linked on this page, or ask an adviser.

Can I use this outline for a live-in employee?

Yes, but add the live-in terms: housing, meals, expected sleep and free time, and how hours are recorded. See our overtime page for the basics.

Is this a legal contract template?

No. It is an outline to help you think through what to write down. It is general information, not legal advice. Consider having an adviser review your final letter.

Get started with HomeHire

Start a confidential family brief · Register as a household professional

HomeHire is free for families, and candidates never pay.

Learn about hiring for families · Learn about opportunities for candidates