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Travelling?
Who's looking after your home, gardens, pets?
Have a house sitter provide that "lived in" security
and pet / garden care while you're away.
What is House
sitting
Who are house sitters
What do house sitters do
Security and references
Finding a house sitter
Registering as available to house sit
How much does it cost
How
long before you get a sit
How long do sits last
Agreements
Our Disclaimer
Housesitting
has taken the world by storm in recent times as a concept that is mutually beneficial to
both the home owner and the house sitter - The home owner gets their home, pets and
gardens cared for while they're away and the house sitter gains rent free accommodation in
return for minor household duties they would be doing wherever they lived.
Housesitters
are ordinary people just like you - from all walks of life and available for all sorts of
reasons. Some are saving for a home, renovating their property, moving to a new area,
re-establishing their lives, travelling with their own pets or wishing to save on motels
or simply needing a break from the caravan while touring. They range from young singles or
couples to families to retirees, from professionals to home makers and all offer something
different - as the home owners also have different and varying needs. No one
"type" makes the "perfect sitter" for every situation.
The house sitter is expected to look after the home owners home as if it were their own -
providing "lived-in" security, mowing lawns, maintaining gardens, collecting and
forwarding mail, caring for pets and generally keeping the home neat and tidy.
House sitters would generally be responsible for their own food, telephone and utility
use. Whilst most agreements would be in exchange for free rent, some sitters may offer
more of a formal caretaker role or perform other agreed extra duties in exchange for an
agreed fee. This is totally up to the home owner and the sitter and should be agreed to in
writing before commencing duties. (Remember, a house sitter is not expecting to work on
your property full time but is looking for a genuine "home" to live in, with
it's normal attendant responsibilities).
Security
- Whilst a house sitter can provide lived-in security for your property while you're away,
it is the responsibility of the home owner to ensure adequate home and contents insurance
coverage is maintained.
It is also the home owners responsibility to check the bona fides of the sitter. Apart
from checking referees, an interview should be conducted and prospective sitters
introduced to your pets to check compatibility. This would also be a good time to
introduce your neighbours - this helps the sitter learn the environment and feel more
comfortable in strange surroundings and, by bringing your friendly neighbours into the
background, acts as a semi backstop for both parties. Requesting a police clearance and
considering the lodgement of a bond is also a good idea.
See also "Agreements" below.
Finding
prospective sitters - Home owners can peruse our database of available sitters for FREE
and make selections at the time they start looking. Simply visit our site www.housesitworld.com.au then click on
"find a sitter". Select your state, then your area to read about the sitters
available. Should you not be able to find anyone suitable, we will run your "sitter
wanted" ad for free.
Please read our disclaimer below.
Registering
as available for housesitting. The wording of your ad needs careful consideration as you
will need to convince the home owner
that you will be suitable to mind their home while they are away - say
the obvious like, if you have experience, say so, if you can provide references, have a
history with animals or other desirable skills, say so. Be honest, say a little about
yourself, why you wish to be a house sitter and why the home owner should choose you ahead
of others available.
To register, visit our site www.housesitworld.com.au and follow the links
to "register as a sitter", complete the registration form and you will be included
in our on-line database for up to 12 months from receipt by us.
Home owners looking for a house sitter
will search the database and potentially contact you to arrange an interview.
How much does it cost?
To find a house sitter is free.
To register as available for house sitting costs just $50- for a 12 month listing - this
one fee covers you for as many locations as you like in Australia or even worldwide.
Should you need to change your details, please use our "change details" form on
our site - there is no charge for this.
How long
before you get a sit - we have had successes within 24 hours however the average is some
sort of response within 2-3 weeks - the earlier you register as available, the greater
your chances. All new listings are placed at the top of each section however should you
find your listing moving down without initial success, let us know and we'll happily move
you back to the top as we want as many successful sitters as possible.
How long do sits last - we have had sitters gain positions lasting from 1 week to
3 years with the average being 2-3 months - most sits fall in the range 1-6 months.
Agreements
- As every "sit" will differ, no one agreement can cover all situations.
The following is a basic agreement which may be used as a starting point.
You may "copy & paste" the following into your word processor or download an
MSWord version here.
Agreements
(Suggested format only !)
Particularly for extended periods, we recommend seeing your
Solicitor
for drawing up an agreement to cover what is expected from each party.
A Solicitor can also provide a bond-holding service if required.
Your agreement should include the following:
Full names and addresses of parties.
Drivers licence details for identification
Dates of house sitting agreement
The Housesitter should arrive at an arranged time prior to the
client’s departure to receive final instructions from the client.
The Housesitter will have the client’s home ready to welcome him/her
upon return and report anything of importance occurred in his/her absence and account for
any expenditure.
The Housesitter will leave at a time convenient to you both.
The client’s home must not be left unoccupied for any unreasonable
amount of time – Specify.
Visitors are permitted however the Sitter is fully responsible for their
actions and any possible results of their actions.
The Housesitter is not allowed to have parties at the client’s
property – Specify.
Pets are to be attended to as agreed – Specify.
Home care and general maintenance standards – Specify.
If the Housesitter is taken seriously ill or for any other reason must
leave for the property for an extended period, he/she must contact the owner immediately.
The Housesitter must never undertake anything which may result in damage
to the client’s property. In case of a break down of any equipment which cannot
easily be mended he/she must call in a professional or follow the prior instructions of
the client. – Specify amount, preferred tradesmen, etc.
The Housesitter should only divulge the client’s whereabouts to
persons specified by the client or follow his/her guidelines in this respect.
The Housesitter will be expected to pay for any private phone calls made
during the stay. He/she must make a note of them.
The Housesitter must note and obtain receipts for any living and
household expenses incurred during the house sit. Expenses will otherwise not be
reimbursed. For extended terms, the housesitter would normally be responsible for power,
gas, etc.
The owner should notify the Housesitter of any damage to the property or
its contents prior to starting the assignment and he/she should make a note of same in
writing. Should the Housesitter be responsible for any breakage during his/her stay,
he/she will notify the owner.
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Disclaimer
housesit.directoryoz.com.au
and housesitworld.com and housesitworld.com.au
are internet sites run by
Home and House Sitting Worldwide
BN17779285
Home and House Sitting Worldwide does not
'screen' anyone who lists with us.
We accept no responsibility of any kind regarding the qualifications
or trustworthiness of anyone advertising on our Directory.
Whilst every effort will be made to ensure accuracy in compiling this Directory,
it is the sole responsibility of the user to confirm all information recorded.
Under no circumstances will Home and House Sitting Worldwide or anyone associated with us be liable
for any direct or indirect damages which may result from any person
using this Directory.
Like all forms of advertising, we unfortunately cannot offer any guarantees
of success and generally will not consider granting
refunds.
www.housesitworld.com.au
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