Do you need to have your house watched or looked after? Consider Home sitting

You have a large property and need to maintain or monitor it year-round or during vacations. Why not offer a family or a senior couple to take care of it? Home Sitting or house sitting is the solution: Offer to watch the house, maintain the outdoors, or take care of the animals in exchange for free accommodation.

 

What to expect when you want to offer accommodation in exchange for house sitting.

House sitting, or Home-sitting, is a concept increasingly popular with vacationers looking for good financial deals. But also with retired seniors who have gained experience (gardening, DIY, cooking, etc.) to offer according to your needs.

This new concept connects the property owner with a person offering house sitting services. In exchange, they enjoy accommodation. This service is "win-win" for the Host-accommodators and the supportive Cohabitants.

Usually, the needs around house sitting boil down to:
– Plant and garden maintenance
– Presence with pets: feeding, hygiene, walking, …
– Presence in the home and daily upkeep

In summary, the Host-accommodator that you are must be able to entrust their property with complete peace of mind. Understanding that their house lives and is maintained as if they were there. With the assurance, if they are absent, of finding their home as they left it.

Besides the tasks to be performed, the Cohabitant who offers their skills in exchange for accommodation can enjoy all the amenities of the house provided. This includes television, wifi, or even the pool and can use the remaining time to explore the region!

The concept of this collaboration is based on exchange, so there is generally no payment. Thus, the personal expenses of the sitter during their stay remain their responsibility. However, payment can be negotiated if specific additional services are requested.

The qualities of the home-sitting candidate

Even if the position does not require any particular skills, certain 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.

This exchange of accommodation for service requires that your future Cohabitant, house sitter, be available and willing to take care of a house. Also a garden or pets.

Moreover, the contact between you must also be good. Because whether you provide them with independent accommodation or a room in your home, this Cohabitant will live alongside you. They will share your daily life. And, to be sure everything goes well, it is best to make a contract that will define the relationship between the two parties by indicating the rights and duties of each.