Sitting Pretty with a House Sitter
By Wendy Reed of Homesitters
We all look forward to our holidays: those well-deserved breaks from the normal routine. But is your anticipation tempered by concern about what might happen at home in your absence?
Leaving your property unoccupied when you are away significantly increases the risk of weather damage and burglary. 80% of burglaries happen when no-one’s in, and the longer the absence, the greater the risk.
And if you are a pet owner, you probably worry about your animal’s welfare. It’s bad enough when you, the pet’s owner go away, but to remove them from their home environment as well can be very stressful for pets.
The remedy recommended by insurers is to leave your home occupied while you are away. If you don’t have a family member to move in, you may want to consider using the services of a house sitter.
Homesitters Limited, which was established in 1980, is a nationwide housesitting service. The company’s carefully vetted mature employees will move into your home and care for your possessions – and pets – in your absence.
Getting the right match
House sitters come from a variety of backgrounds but, whatever their skills and situation, it is attitude which is key. Sitters should be adaptable, sensitive people who take their lead from the clients and who respect people’s homes and possessions.
As a client you should expect to have a comprehensive briefs taken about your home and pets; sitters would then be carefully matched to your requirements and would usually have a preliminary meeting long before the assignment begins to ensure that the ‘match’ is right.
On assignment, one of our house sitters would operate under our direction with support and back-up at all times, together with comprehensive insurance cover. Many insurance companies including Norwich Union, Chubb and Zurich quote reduced household premiums for Homesitters’ clients to encourage use of the service..
The attractions for house sitters?
Sitters can have the freedom of choice in both the type and number of homesits they undertake so they control not only what they do, but when they do it. At Homesitters, we take great care to match the abilities and interests of the sitters with the needs and situations of the clients; whilst each assignment is a responsibility, it is also enjoyable for the sitter.
The rewards of homesitting are many and varied:
- the chance to stay in a variety of properties, and to enjoy their amenities and surroundings: homes vary from country cottages to London townhouses, from manors to maisonettes, from flats to farmhouses
- the opportunity to see new places and explore different areas
- the company of pets without the commitment or expense of owning them
- the responsibility of standing in for other homeowners.
For those on a limited income, the modest remuneration plus the provision of a food allowance and travel expenses (both tax free) can help to supplement a pension or other income. And, of course, house sitters benefit from a reduction in their own household costs when they are homesitting.
Homesitting appeals to people from a wide range of backgrounds who enjoy a break and a bit of an adventure – but who want the security of a professional company backing them and taking care of all the arrangements.
Wendy Reed
More Information about House Sitting
If you would like to know more about using the service or becoming a Homesitter, please contact:
Homesitters Ltd
Buckland Wharf
Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5LQ
Tel: 01296 630730
Fax: 01296 631555
Email: admin@homesitters.co.uk
Website:
www.homesitters.co.uk
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