B-TECH 1 ACCOMMODATION NOTES - LECTURE 1
HOUSEKEEPING
It is the provision of a clean, comfortable and safe environment. Normally well trained and
skilled personnel are required to achieve these goals. The housekeeping duties involves
maintaining the hotel to the best possible state in terms of cleanliness, and keeping it at highly
desirable ambience.
IMPORTANCE OF HOUSEKEEPING
To provide sleeping places for travellers and tourists
To provide relaxation and entertainment facilities
To provide meeting or conference facilities
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF HOTEL HOUSEKEEPING INCLUDE:
To maintain overall cleanliness of the entire hotel at all times.
To perform cleanliness duties most efficiently and effectively.
To use good quality, safe cleaning equipment and chemicals
To manage laundry and linen
To control pests.
To keep up the hotel with classy interior decoration.
To take care of the furniture, fittings, and fixtures of the entire hotel
HOUSEKEEPING AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
1
, The housekeeping department is responsible to keep the following areas clean and tidy.
Guest Rooms
Guest Bathrooms
Public Areas such as Lobby and Lifts
Banquets and Conference Halls
Parking Area
Sales and Admin Offices
Garden
HOUSEKEEPER
The housekeeper is a person who is fully trained to take up the responsibility of ensuring that, a
safe, sound, hygienic and secured environment is achieved. He/ she is a key or central person in
the housekeeping department and has assistants who work with him/her.
ATTRIBUTES OF A HOUSEKEEPER
Attributes of a housekeeper should include;
An interest in people and tact in handling them.
A pleasant personality and the ability to converse with all types of people.
An ability to hide personal likes and dislikes, and to be conscientious, fair and just.
Strictness regarding punctuality and the keeping of necessary rules,
Loyalty to the establishment and to his/her staff.
2
, Critical powers of observation
Adaptability and willingness to experiment with new ideas, use initiative and take
responsibility.
A sense of humour- keeps people contented by doing as they wish.
The possession of a strong heart and good feet.
It is rare for one person to possess all these qualities but a few can be missing if the housekeeper
has a sense of humor and a pleasing personality.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A HOUSEKEEPER
A housekeeper’s duties and responsibilities may consist of the following depending on the type of
establishment in question.
Employs, dismiss and see to the welfare of her staff.
Plans and organises the housekeeping staff and keeps records of all housekeeping
activities.
Liaises with reception regarding daily arrivals and departure of guests.
Supervise, control and trains her staff.
Liaises with all departments relevant to housekeeping- maintenance, reception, restaurant
etc.
Compiles duty rosters, holiday lists and wage sheets for housekeeping staff,
Makes sure that all rooms are serviced according to the establishment’s standard.
3
, Ensures that tight security measures are put in place to protect guests and their belongings
and also deals with lost properties.
Responsible for the keys in her department.
Responds to individual needs; the housekeeper should have the time to listen and deal
with
guest’s complaints and requests.
Intelligences and checks all maintenance work.
CLASSIFICATION OF SECTORS IN HOUSEKEEPING
There are two (2) main sectors in housekeeping. These include; Welfare and commercial
sectors.
1. WELFARE SECTOR - These are non-profit oriented or not for profit making. They
include Halls of residence, Hostels, Hospitals, Orphanages, Prisons, Old peoples’ homes,
boarding houses, Disabled schools, Nursing homes etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WELFARE SECTOR
Moderate charges.
Medium standard facilities are needed.
Does not require much skilled personnel to work.
Not for profit making.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF A HOSTEL (WELFARE SECTOR)
4
HOUSEKEEPING
It is the provision of a clean, comfortable and safe environment. Normally well trained and
skilled personnel are required to achieve these goals. The housekeeping duties involves
maintaining the hotel to the best possible state in terms of cleanliness, and keeping it at highly
desirable ambience.
IMPORTANCE OF HOUSEKEEPING
To provide sleeping places for travellers and tourists
To provide relaxation and entertainment facilities
To provide meeting or conference facilities
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF HOTEL HOUSEKEEPING INCLUDE:
To maintain overall cleanliness of the entire hotel at all times.
To perform cleanliness duties most efficiently and effectively.
To use good quality, safe cleaning equipment and chemicals
To manage laundry and linen
To control pests.
To keep up the hotel with classy interior decoration.
To take care of the furniture, fittings, and fixtures of the entire hotel
HOUSEKEEPING AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
1
, The housekeeping department is responsible to keep the following areas clean and tidy.
Guest Rooms
Guest Bathrooms
Public Areas such as Lobby and Lifts
Banquets and Conference Halls
Parking Area
Sales and Admin Offices
Garden
HOUSEKEEPER
The housekeeper is a person who is fully trained to take up the responsibility of ensuring that, a
safe, sound, hygienic and secured environment is achieved. He/ she is a key or central person in
the housekeeping department and has assistants who work with him/her.
ATTRIBUTES OF A HOUSEKEEPER
Attributes of a housekeeper should include;
An interest in people and tact in handling them.
A pleasant personality and the ability to converse with all types of people.
An ability to hide personal likes and dislikes, and to be conscientious, fair and just.
Strictness regarding punctuality and the keeping of necessary rules,
Loyalty to the establishment and to his/her staff.
2
, Critical powers of observation
Adaptability and willingness to experiment with new ideas, use initiative and take
responsibility.
A sense of humour- keeps people contented by doing as they wish.
The possession of a strong heart and good feet.
It is rare for one person to possess all these qualities but a few can be missing if the housekeeper
has a sense of humor and a pleasing personality.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A HOUSEKEEPER
A housekeeper’s duties and responsibilities may consist of the following depending on the type of
establishment in question.
Employs, dismiss and see to the welfare of her staff.
Plans and organises the housekeeping staff and keeps records of all housekeeping
activities.
Liaises with reception regarding daily arrivals and departure of guests.
Supervise, control and trains her staff.
Liaises with all departments relevant to housekeeping- maintenance, reception, restaurant
etc.
Compiles duty rosters, holiday lists and wage sheets for housekeeping staff,
Makes sure that all rooms are serviced according to the establishment’s standard.
3
, Ensures that tight security measures are put in place to protect guests and their belongings
and also deals with lost properties.
Responsible for the keys in her department.
Responds to individual needs; the housekeeper should have the time to listen and deal
with
guest’s complaints and requests.
Intelligences and checks all maintenance work.
CLASSIFICATION OF SECTORS IN HOUSEKEEPING
There are two (2) main sectors in housekeeping. These include; Welfare and commercial
sectors.
1. WELFARE SECTOR - These are non-profit oriented or not for profit making. They
include Halls of residence, Hostels, Hospitals, Orphanages, Prisons, Old peoples’ homes,
boarding houses, Disabled schools, Nursing homes etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WELFARE SECTOR
Moderate charges.
Medium standard facilities are needed.
Does not require much skilled personnel to work.
Not for profit making.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF A HOSTEL (WELFARE SECTOR)
4
