Do you have free time? Are you retired or on vacation? Consider Home Sitting!

 Some families really cannot afford to go on vacation and the resources of retirees are sometimes hardly better off. Between travel, accommodation, the cost of holiday outings ; the budget whether you are a family or retirees is no longer enough  to leave!

House sitting, also called Home Sitting, is made for them. Economical for tight budgets, this simple principle is based on home exchange in return for services rendered. Cherry on the cake, this type of position requires no particular qualifications.

 

Before starting, know well the role of house sitter

Popular with retirees but also increasingly with vacationers, this concept connects a Host, the owner, with a Supportive Co-inhabitant offering their services and skills in exchange for accommodation.

Typically, the most frequently requested services are:
– Plant and garden maintenance
– Presence with pets: feeding, hygiene, walking, …
– Presence in the home and its upkeep

The goal is that, in the absence of the Host, the house lives as usual. The Applicant must assure their host that they will find their home as they left it. Apart from the few tasks to be done, the Applicant can freely enjoy the facilities provided: television, wifi, even pool. And after their service, they still have plenty of time to discover the region or their new habitat. In this collaboration, there is generally no remuneration! Most often, various expenses during the sitter’s stay are their responsibility. However, they can negotiate with the owner additional pay when specific services are requested (mowing the lawn, cleaning the pool, …)

<strong>Seniors-retirees are excellent candidates for home sitting

Even if the position requires no particular skills, some qualities remain necessary and important. Indeed, a house sitter must have the profile of a serious, responsible, and trustworthy person. It is better to check that they have no legal troubles and request their criminal record status.

Retirees naturally inspire confidence. More free and therefore more available, they have acquired life and professional experience that they can put to use. Moreover, they can offer their skills throughout the year and not only during school holidays.

Finally, accommodation represents a third of the budget for families and retirees. It is a way for these people to save money while providing services to their Hosts

<h3>How to know if you are made for this ?

If you have a lot of time and can make yourself available (from a weekend to several months) and if you like taking care of a house, a garden, pets, or are handy, this mode of exchange is made for you !

Prudence is the mother of safety, so if you want everything to go well, consider legally defining your relationship with your host by setting up a contract