HOW IT WORKS ​

For owners who do not currently have permanent on-site staff, managing a luxury holiday home from a distance can be a source of constant anxiety. Without a consistent presence, properties are vulnerable to undetected maintenance issues, security risks, and the logistical nightmare of preparing for last-minute guest arrivals. The LCE Trusted Keepers Program is specifically designed to step into this gap. By placing our professional staff into your home, we transform an unmanaged property into a fully operational, secure, and guest-ready estate. You no longer need to worry about who will open the doors for contractors, how the house will be aired out, or whether the property is secure at night. LCE takes over the full operational burden, providing a dedicated 'point person' who treats your home with the same care and attention as a permanent estate manager, but with the flexibility and corporate backing of the LCE brand.

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The Trusted Keepers Service Model

 

1. The Promise: 365-day seamless property care through a Primary & Relief rotational system.

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• Live-in Rotation: LCE manages two or more vetted keepers who rotate shifts. This ensures the house is never left unattended.

• Dual Function: Guest Mode: High-end hospitality, daily cleaning, and guest relations.

  • Keeper Mode: Deep cleaning, maintenance reporting, and presence when the home is empty.

• Zero-Admin: LCE handles contracts, and payroll.

 

2. Pricing & Commission Structure

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Fully Managed Homes: Exclusively for homes under LCE Full Management. LCE waives the admin fee as part of our comprehensive service.

Item Rate (ZAR) Description:

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2.1. Daily Rate for Fully Managed Homes: 

Mon to Fri R350.00 per day 

Sat & Sun at R370 per day. 

Public Holidays at R440 per day 

Turns Down Service included for specified homes. 

Exclusively for homes under LCE Full Management. LCE waives the admin fee as part of our comprehensive service.

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2.2. For Standard Mandated Contract: 

What the homeowner pays per day for Working hours from 8:00 until 14:00 

Mon to Fri R370.00 per day

Sat & Sun at R390 per day 

Public Holidays at R460 per day

 

2.3. The Keepers Wage: 

The take-home/basic pay for the staff member and working hours from 8:00 until 14:00 

Monday to Friday at R350 per day

Sat & Sun at R370 per day  

Public holidays at R440 per day 

Turns Down Service included for specified homes. ​

 

​Please note: Our rates will increase from 1st March 2026

 

3. Payment & Accounting Terms

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To ensure LCE is always paid, we use a "Hybrid Billing" approach:

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1. Rental Deduction: If the house has guests, the daily rate is deducted from the rental income before the owner is paid out.

2. Owner Account: If the house is empty, LCE keeps a "Running Account." At the end of the month, LCE invoices the owner.

3. The "Float": Require owners to keep a small deposit (e.g., 7 days of keeper fees) in an account to cover the transition between guest stays.

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4. Essential Protective Terms & Conditions

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4.1. The LCE Performance Guarantee

LCE assumes full responsibility for the conduct of the Trusted Keeper. In the event of documented misconduct, LCE will replace the staff member within 24 hours at no additional cost to the owner.

 

4.2. Vicarious Liability & Insurance

LCE maintains Public Liability insurance. However, the Homeowner must maintain standard Household Insurance. LCE is responsible for staff-related theft (subject to a police report), but not for accidental breakages occurring during standard duties unless gross negligence is proven.

 

4.3.. The "Non-Poaching" Clause 

The Owner agrees not to hire any LCE Trusted Keeper privately for a period of 24 months following the termination of this agreement. Should the Owner breach this, a 'Placement Fee' of R30,000 will be immediately due to LCE.

 

4.4. 365-Day Seamless Handover

LCE guarantees that no property shall be left unattended during staff rotation. The outgoing and incoming keepers will have a mandatory 2-hour 'handover' period, the cost of which is absorbed by LCE's management fee.

 

4.5. Right of Entry

LCE Staff and managers and representatives reserve the right to visit the property for unannounced 'Spot Checks' and training audits to ensure the LCE Standards are being maintained.

 

5. Next Steps for Implementation

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Training Curriculum: Standard Operating Procedure:

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• Linen and towel assesement.

• Professional guest greeting protocols.

• Monthly and Annual deep cleaning.

• Weekly "Keepers" maintenance list (checking for leaks, flushing toilets in unused rooms, checking perimeter security).

 

Professional Equipment: Keepers use the owner's cleaning supplies. Owners provide heavy equipment like vacuums, and LCE provides the specialised training.

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Service Options: Live-In vs. Daily Commuter

 

6. The Live-In Standard 

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• Suitability: Homes with dedicated staff quarters or during "Keepers" periods when the home is vacant.

• Rate as per above 2. Pricing Structure

• Benefits: 24/7 presence, higher security, and zero travel-related delays.

 

7. The Daily Commuter Option

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• Suitability: Homes without staff accommodation where the owner/guests are currently in residence.

• Rate: Rate as per above 2. Pricing Structure + R60 Transport Surcharge.

• Terms: Staff will arrive and depart at agreed-upon professional hours from 08:00 to 14:00.

• Note: If a home has no staff quarters, LCE requires the "Housesit" clause below to ensure the property is protected when the owner is away.

 

8. The Hybrid Housesit Clause (For Non-Accommodation Homes)

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For properties lacking dedicated staff quarters, LCE provides daily commuting staff during periods of guest occupancy. However, to fulfill our 365-day 'Trusted Keeper' security and maintenance promise, the Owner agrees that the Keeper will stay within the main residence during 'Keepers' periods (when the home is otherwise vacant). This ensures the property is never left unattended at night, providing essential security and 'lived-in' presence.

 

9. Transport Logistics & Liability

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Where the Daily Commuter option is selected, LCE manages the logistics of staff transport. However, LCE shall not be held liable for minor delays caused by public transport disruptions or road conditions, though we guarantee a replacement or make-up hours where feasible.

 

10. Live-In Standards (Main House)

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When a Keeper is required to 'Housesit' within the main residence due to a lack of staff quarters:

• The Owner shall provide access to a secure bedroom and basic kitchen/bathroom facilities.

• The Keeper is strictly prohibited from using guest amenities (e.g., swimming pools, luxury bars, or guest entertainment systems) unless specifically authorised in writing by the Owner.

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11. Shift Transitions

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For homes requiring daily commuters, the transition between 'Daily' and 'Live-in' (Keepers) status must be confirmed 48 hours in advance to allow LCE to adjust staff transport schedules.

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Benefits to Highlight to the Owner:

• Security: Even if they don't have a "staff room," their house is protected at night when they aren't there because the staff moves into the main house.

• Flexibility: Owners don't have to worry about how the staff gets to the estate; LCE handles the R60 transport logistics.

• Consistency: The same "Trusted Keeper" who knows the house from housesitting is the one who comes in daily when guests are there.

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Last Updated: 1 Jan 2026 -  by Stephanie De Villiers | Portfolio & Operations Manager