What is involved?
Housekeeping involves living in someone’s home while they are away. You are expected to keep things neat and tidy, perhaps taking care of a pet and of course deterring burglars by living in the house.
Some agencies will also specialize in short-term care, where they provide people who will stay at home all day waiting for the plumber or that elusive furniture delivery. Housekeeping is watching over an empty house with a regular, often daily, visit to water the plants, collect the mail, and do a quick dusting.
For both house sitting and house sitting, you can take care of the homes of family and friends, but for regular work you can sign up with an agency, such as Homesitters and Mrs Hunt’s Staffing. You can also get on Jobsgrapevine for free, offering your services as a sitter or house sitter. If you are doing this independently, the owners should provide a written contract with instructions on what to do if specific situations arise so that you are completely sure of the correct action to take. Also, be sure to provide homeowners with references from a previous owner and employer.
work with an agency
It is easier to present an agency with a police check and you will need references from professional people. The agency will interview you in your own home to make sure you are suitable for the job.
Some agencies, like Homesitters, hire caregivers as their employees, and therefore they are the responsible party, not you. They will have insurance to protect you throughout the job and even your partner if they join you for the seat.
You are not expected to work all day; usually his homework will take a couple of hours and the rest of his time is his. Clearly, however, the point of home sitting is that you are there to protect it, so typically an agency like Homesitters will expect you to leave the property for no more than three hours at a time during the day and one hour at night. evening.
A good agency will interview you in depth to determine your interests, skills, and preferences. This will help them match you with the right clients to make the session more fun for you and beneficial for the client. For example, a client with a cat may be matched with a house sitter who has had experience caring for cats and would enjoy it.
Typically, an agency will connect you with a client who lives close to your own home, usually within the same county. However, if you want to travel, they may be able to help you find a house further away, as long as you agree to pay the costs of the trip, or take the opportunity to stay with a family member or friend and travel home. -sit from there instead.
Who would use it?
House sitting is especially suitable for people who have retired and are fit and active enough to maintain a home and care for pets. Short-term housekeeping can also be useful for students who are flexible and have time to take care of other people’s places, perhaps while they study. As long as clients are sure that you are taking care of their house properly, you may be able to take care of the house if you work from home, perhaps as an author.
You have to be sure that you will be comfortable in someone else’s house, and away from your own home and social circle, because it is unlikely that you will be able to invite other people (other than your partner if previously agreed) to the client’s house. Many agencies will want someone available year-round so that if a client needs a home sitter more than once, she can use the same person over and over again.
How much can you do?
Don’t think of house sitting as a way to earn a lot of money. The pay is minimal and the work is unlikely to be regular, but it’s a good way to earn a little money and possibly have fun while doing it.
- Long-term home carers can earn around £9 a day, plus food and travel allowances.
- Short-term house sitters can earn between £8 and £10 per hour.
costs
If you work through an agency, your costs will be minimal, including things like personal phone calls. Owners must provide everything you need for the day, plus a float to cover anything you need on the go (like pet food, for example).
If you are taking care of the house independently, a landlord might initially ask you for a deposit. It is best to check the house together upon arrival to note any damage. You may also have to pay for the utilities you use when you take care of the house, but make sure this is clearly stated in the checklist/contract before you take care of the house.