House Sitters looking after your place when away

Mike C · Senior Member

House Sitters looking after your place when away

RosieW · Guru

We are currently house-sitting for our former boss. We have the house, power, internet all supplied (he offered). We are not paid (most house-sitters aren't). We mow, garden, chop firewood (he has big blocks in), and generally keep the place secure.

From what I have seen, this is pretty much the norm (firewood being the exception). But each sit is different, it comes down to what the home-owner and sitter agree. Have a look on Facebook, there are a few housesitting forums - Aussie Housesitting Nomads is good.

Ballarat isn't too cold. As for time, we are here for 7 months.

-- Edited by RosieW on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 12:08:13 PM

Mike C · Senior Member

Thanks for the response RosieW

Do you stay in the house or your van?
Its easier if you already know and trust someone..

cheers

Mike

macka17 · Guru

House sitters.

We tried some a few yrs ago.
One a recommendation. Cost Di over $200 in new plants and a not so clean house.

2 others from "companies." Say no more.

We take cat with us. Lock house. Granddaughter stays over at nights
with her very angry pig dog. (Ex Townsville.)

Hetho · Senior Member

Hi Mike.

We are off doing the "Big Lap" next year, mid Jan 18 - mid Jan 19.

I placed an add in the Greynomads classifieds last month (emailed Cindy this morning to remove add) and let our house to a couple who responded to my add on Saturday.

I advertised our house fully furnished. (our van is set up so we do not need house stuff) The weekly rent; which I made attractive to fellow greynomads, included, electricity/gas/water/and lawn mowing.

We were more than happy with the result from G/n classifieds.

Could be worth a try.

Regards

Hetho

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hey Mike - good to see you wanting to get back to travelling this wide land - there are a few housesitting jobs and applicants on the classified section of the Grey Nomads forum - and I believe some are also registered with Aussie Housesitters (think that is what it is called). I think one thing is pets - either yours or the sitters - only you can make the decision whether to allow pets on your property.

Hope to see you on the road somewhere soon - take care - and Hi to Cheryl!

Desert Dweller · Guru

My wife doesn't relish the idea of a bloke that's a stranger sorting through her underwear drawer. Yes you can freeload in our driveway in a very touristy area adjacent to Port Philip Bay but our home is out of bounds.

wendyv · Guru

We have used housesitters extensively, for periods of 5-9 months at a time.

We offer accommodation in the house - make all except our bedroom and husband's study available, so sitters have 2 bedrooms, my study/sewing room, bathroom, 2 living areas, kitchen etc. Quite adequate for a high level of comfort. House has air con and gas ducted heating. Because we were usually away over winter - heating time! - we do ask the sitters to pay the gas bill and two thirds of the electric bill while we are away. The other third of the electric bill we pay because of the pool filter use. We ask sitters to keep lawns (suburban block) mowed, put autumn leaves that fall on paths into green bin. There is not usually much weeding to be done due to winter, so we do not worry about that, but there are some outdoor plants in pots to maybe water occasionally. Ask them to keep an eye on the automatic operation of the pool filter etc. Get them to bring in the mail; we supply Express Mail bags and periodically phone and give a PO for a bag of mail to be forwarded to.

Have sourced sitters mostly from Aussie Housesitters site. One year, the arranged sitter had to pull out close to our departure date - which we could not delay - and I found a lady from a Seniors web site; unfortunately, despite reference checks and the like, that one was most unsatisfactory, and husband had to fly home at short notice from Darwin to arrange alternative sitter (at that time we had a cat). Our experience has been that there are lots of sitters who will do return sits to a place they like. But one needs to make arrangements well ahead of time to get good ones.

We are in the Melbourne area. The Aussie site allows you to put in your area, and filters for sitters who are happy to be in the south in winter. There are more than you think.

We tend to try to get a mature age couple. Bit discriminatory, I know ....but.... That said, two of our best sitters were solo females - one a mature aged return to study lady who was so great that she sat for 3 years for us, and another in mid 60's.

Mike C · Senior Member

Thanks for all the responses..

Yes Jules trying hard to get out there again, recently downsized home and retired from the 9 to 5 hope to catch up somewhere sometime and Sheryl says Hi.
The Express Bags are a great idea (thanks Wendyv)

I think we would prefer to lock up the home provide access to laundry, toilet, power, water, covered deck area, BBQ and internet and a place to park the van/motor home with the sitters hopefully ok to live in their own accommodation.

Is that unreasonable?

I am trying to find a simple solution for the bosses concerns about the security of the home should we do an extended trip.
I have installed cameras and an alarm but she is still nervous.

Cheers

Mike

-- Edited by Mike C on Monday 3rd of July 2017 08:56:26 PM

rayjudesmith · Veteran Member

Hi Mike, my husband and I are on the road full time and have done house sitting jobs in the past. We think that what you are offering - access to laundry, toilet, power, water, covered deck area, BBQ and internet and a place to park the van/motor home - is perfectly acceptable and the weather would certainly not put us off. We are currently caretaking a caravan park in North West Tasmania which is extremely cold!

We are in Tassie until early next February next year and then back to travelling the mainland. Please don't hesitate to contact us next year onwards should you need some housesitters. We have been thru and past Ballarat a few times but not had the opportunity to stay and explore the area. Good luck with whatever you decide to do and happy travels.

Dunmowin · Guru

We have been house sitting for around five years now, on and off

Most of our sits come through housecarers.com wit a few via the grey nomads classifieds.

To put things into perspective, not all sits are perfect, one in SEQ, we call the house sit from hell, we had no access to house, laundry of toilet, caravan stuck out in the open, no shade in Qld November heat. Others, we have had sh##ty ankle snapping house dogs, but the majority of ditsy, hosts are welcoming, give us room for our clothes and food if we are are staying in the house (this is quite important). Only one couple locked their bedroom, but mostly we have been given the run of the house, even if we are sleeping in the van. In North Queensland, we have been asked to extensively air the house while hosts are away.

Very few of our sits we meet with host prior, the read and like our resume, with photos, references and police checks, and we always have a phone interview, followed up by confirmation emails of expectations.

If you would like yo see our resume etc. PM me, and I will send.you the link. Got to go catch my plain

the rocket · Guru

Desert Dweller wrote:
My wife doesn't relish the idea of a bloke that's a stranger sorting through her underwear drawer. Yes you can freeload in our driveway in a very touristy area adjacent to Port Philip Bay but our home is out of bounds.

I would not consider housesitters as freeloaders. They r doing a service for u.

Mike C · Senior Member

Thanks RayJude and Dunmowin

Will certainly keep you in mind

all the best

Mike

-- Edited by Mike C on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 09:43:27 AM

the rocket · Guru

Hello, one sit we did we only had to look after an adorable dog and collect mail n mow. We had the run of the house. owner left house spotless and when we left we left it spotless. it was cheaper for her than paying to put her dog in a doggy hotel. A housesit for us is only worth $140 per week because we usually stay in showgrounds or free camp.

We had one interview which we declined. looking for someone to feed 5 horses, many cattle n turn pumps on n off twice daily in a far away paddock, load feed on back of ute daily n take to cattle - huge rounds bales, 10 poddies in a different paddock, 10 chooks, 2dogs, sprinkle house yard at 3pm daily, moving sprinkler every 15 minutes, and maintaining a vegetable garden. They wanted us to stay in caravan, which we preferred, but they were worried how much electricity we would use.

the nearest dump point was 30 minutes drive away.

But the final decline came from us when they told us "the previous housesitter gave the chooks too much feed and chook feed is expensive And they did not do a good enough job on the vegetable garden.

Pass.

really, what i am getting at is every sit is different.

-- Edited by the rocket on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 09:53:02 AM

RosieW · Guru

Mike C wrote:
Thanks for the response RosieW

Do you stay in the house or your van?
Its easier if you already know and trust someone..

cheers

Mike

In this instance, we are in the house. When we first went to work for him, at another site, we stayed in our van. Then we moved into the house on-site.

It is entirely up to you. I have seen ads for sitters which state the sitter needs a fully self-contained vehicle, offering power and water. It's a personal/practical thing. Whatever you feel safest with. You will have no trouble finding a sitter if you take your time, and go with your gut.... I've knocked back jobs on the basis of a gut feeling, without ever meeting the person. Sometimes a conversation on the phone has felt wrong. Other times, it's been a feeling from an email. And yes, I know, that makes no sense. But it's worked for me thus far, and I go with it.

Take your time, think about what you need, and how far you are prepared to trust someone. Maybe join a house-sitter site (there are many online).

ALWAYS, always, check references. Don't just get them and read them. Ring the people concerned. If a phone number isn't available, walk away. Good sitters will happily provide references that can be verbally checked.

And if you get really stuck, holler for us - we're free from November biggrin

RosieW · Guru

Mike C wrote:
Thanks for all the responses..

Yes Jules trying hard to get out there again, recently downsized home and retired from the 9 to 5 hope to catch up somewhere sometime and Sheryl says Hi.
The Express Bags are a great idea (thanks Wendyv)

I think we would prefer to lock up the home provide access to laundry, toilet, power, water, covered deck area, BBQ and internet and a place to park the van/motor home with the sitters hopefully ok to live in their own accommodation.

Is that unreasonable?

I am trying to find a simple solution for the bosses concerns about the security of the home should we do an extended trip.
I have installed cameras and an alarm but she is still nervous.

Cheers

Mike

-- Edited by Mike C on Monday 3rd of July 2017 08:56:26 PM

You will have no worries finding sitters with that.

Security-wise, cameras and alarm are a great idea. You can get them monitored (not sure how, but it can be done) or the footage sent to you (again, no sure how). Having someone on site is USUALLY enough to keep the grubs away, or at least reduce the risk. Plus, if they DO get onto the property/inside, there is someone about to report it ASAP.

Mike C · Senior Member

Thanks again for your responses Rosie

You have all gone a long way towards helping us understand the system.

Mike

Grubbygypsy · Senior Member

It never ceases to amaze me the long list of 'chores' most house/pet sits expect for a powered/watered 'site'. I always look at the price the local caravan park is and then weigh that up against what the expectations are. Even the most expensive site would be worth around only an hour a day of my time...let alone the constant security presence and safety for the animals, therefore I rarely do them - I'd rather pay to do nothing than be ripped because I wanted some power lol. I've seen them where they basically expect a days work every day - delusional or what?
Some people like working though, I understand that....I myself just wouldn't do it for peanuts.
I fear I'm seeing more delusional expectations though because people are actually falling for it and doing it. I came across a commercial business in the NT working people 'like dogs' (bosses words whilst trying to entice me to take over from them lol) and I said the people doing it must of been new to the road. He reckons they weren't. Amazing!! Musta just been dumb.

RosieW · Guru

Grubbygypsy wrote:
It never ceases to amaze me the long list of 'chores' most house/pet sits expect for a powered/watered 'site'. I always look at the price the local caravan park is and then weigh that up against what the expectations are. Even the most expensive site would be worth around only an hour a day of my time...let alone the constant security presence and safety for the animals, therefore I rarely do them - I'd rather pay to do nothing than be ripped because I wanted some power lol. I've seen them where they basically expect a days work every day - delusional or what?
Some people like working though, I understand that....I myself just wouldn't do it for peanuts.
I fear I'm seeing more delusional expectations though because people are actually falling for it and doing it. I came across a commercial business in the NT working people 'like dogs' (bosses words whilst trying to entice me to take over from them lol) and I said the people doing it must of been new to the road. He reckons they weren't. Amazing!! Musta just been dumb.

We like to keep busy, and by house-sitting, we get to stay by ourselves. Even in showgrounds, you have neighbours. We are anti-social beggars wink Plus, current references for paid jobs come in handy. Old ones from before we hit the road, not so much.... Each to their own.

ETA: the stuff we are doing here, a lot is because the guy (who is indeed our former boss from a job we found on the GN site) and his wife are now our friends. We do it to make their lot easier when they get home, as well as a matter of personal pride in keeping it tidy. We had other job offers, paid, but chose this for 2 reasons:

1. They are friends;

2. We want to see the area.

-- Edited by RosieW on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 12:05:16 PM

Mike C · Senior Member

Grubbygypsy wrote:
It never ceases to amaze me the long list of 'chores' most house/pet sits expect for a powered/watered 'site'. I always look at the price the local caravan park is and then weigh that up against what the expectations are. Even the most expensive site would be worth around only an hour a day of my time...let alone the constant security presence and safety for the animals, therefore I rarely do them - I'd rather pay to do nothing than be ripped because I wanted some power lol. I've seen them where they basically expect a days work every day - delusional or what?
Some people like working though, I understand that....I myself just wouldn't do it for peanuts.
I fear I'm seeing more delusional expectations though because people are actually falling for it and doing it. I came across a commercial business in the NT working people 'like dogs' (bosses words whilst trying to entice me to take over from them lol) and I said the people doing it must of been new to the road. He reckons they weren't. Amazing!! Musta just been dumb.

Good point Grubby Gypsy

Our list would be something like

Mow the lawns (1-2 hours a fortnight)

Rake bark and leaves from under gum trees (1 hour a week) put in green bin etc

Forward mail ( 1 hour a week)

Weed gardens ( 1-2 hours a fortnight)

So that would translate to maybe 4 hours a week at worst.

Exchange for site, power, water, laundry, toilet, internet (high-speed broadband) and use of outdoor entertainment area and BBQ in a nice village environment only 600M walk from coffee shops pub and restaurants.

I trust that those expectations are not unreasonable?

Cheers

Mike

RosieW · Guru

Mike C wrote:
Grubbygypsy wrote:
It never ceases to amaze me the long list of 'chores' most house/pet sits expect for a powered/watered 'site'. I always look at the price the local caravan park is and then weigh that up against what the expectations are. Even the most expensive site would be worth around only an hour a day of my time...let alone the constant security presence and safety for the animals, therefore I rarely do them - I'd rather pay to do nothing than be ripped because I wanted some power lol. I've seen them where they basically expect a days work every day - delusional or what?
Some people like working though, I understand that....I myself just wouldn't do it for peanuts.
I fear I'm seeing more delusional expectations though because people are actually falling for it and doing it. I came across a commercial business in the NT working people 'like dogs' (bosses words whilst trying to entice me to take over from them lol) and I said the people doing it must of been new to the road. He reckons they weren't. Amazing!! Musta just been dumb.

Good point Grubby Gypsy
Our list would be something like
Mow the lawns (1-2 hours a fortnight)
Rake bark and leaves from under gum trees (1 hour a week) put in green bin etc
Forward mail ( 1 hour a week)
Weed gardens ( 1-2 hours a fortnight)
So that would translate to maybe 4 hours a week at worst.
Exchange for site, power, water, laundry, toilet, internet (high-speed broadband) and use of outdoor entertainment area and BBQ in a nice village environment only 600M walk from coffee shops pub and restaurants.

I trust that those expectations are not unreasonable?

Cheers
Mike

Nope. Don't forget, people looking to house-sit expect that there will be 'jobs'. We choose to house-sit, as opposed to staying in parks/showgrounds for a diversity of reasons. We stay in showgrounds sometimes, other times we work as caretakers, and still other times we stay in caravan parks. It all depends on where we are, and how we feel. Everyone is different. Every job is different.

PeterD · Guru

Have a look at some house sitting agencies. They have booklets available that will contain more Q&As that will come up here. If you organise a sitter through them you will probably get one that has worked through them and has not blotted their copybook. If they do turn out to be unsatisfactory report them and they will get no more referrals.

The House Sitters established 1993

Australian House Sitter

Mind a Home

RosieW · Guru

A questionnaire for sitters, to clarify details with owners we've used similar before..... Might give you some ideas on what to ask potential sitters.

Grubbygypsy · Senior Member

Seems ok Mike. I wouldn't do it myself as I hate gardening. I see it as men's work lol (I'm a traditionalist in many ways) - but you'll more than likely get a couple as opposed to a single anyways.
I was more talking of some of the adverts I've seen - picking up taking kids to school - cooking dinner - attending stock etc etc and they say it like it's a WOW opportunity for you lol. I just wonder how many applicants they get.

I pretty rarely stay in parks also, cos I'm increasingly anti social. I'm a happy bush camper for nix.
Actually, last sit I did, I was mortified when I rocked up and heard the traffic I was going to have to endure......but it's probably only me....I'm a through and through bushie who detests traffic noise. It enabled me to achieve what I needed to do in the area - so all was good. Totally fell in love with the animals....gorgeous dudes they were. Mostly I do commercial caretaking things more than private though.

As for the security situation - I don't think it would be unreasonable to ask for a police clearance but I don't know how worthy it could be. I think WOM is usually the best and that's how sitters can remain pretty booked up I'd say. I also reckon travellers would be better than someone's friends grandson etc.

I don't know about other sitters - but I don't like staying in houses. I'm very happy in my van and prefer to stay in it and just keep house tidy from the pets and feeding paraphernalia. I will use (and keep clean) loo if available, but I much prefer everything in life to stay as I am used to.

Tony Bev · Guru

I would like to put in a word for neighbour watch

When we travel (for a few months at a time), our neighbours keep an eye out

At present both the neighbours, on each side of us are travelling

We (and I will assume others in the street), are keeping their eye out for them, collecting mail etc

Mike C · Senior Member

Tony Bev wrote:
I would like to put in a word for neighbour watch

When we travel (for a few months at a time), our neighbours keep an eye out

At present both the neighbours, on each side of us are travelling

We (and I will assume others in the street), are keeping their eye out for them, collecting mail etc

That's how we handled it at the old house where we had lived for 20 years.. Neighbours both sides kept a watch and we travelled up to six months at a time.

Only been in this house for a couple of months and had seen a lot of talk about house sitting ( this place has room for a motorhome or caravan ) so I thought I would check it out.

Also in the other house we didn't have room for the motor home so it was kept in storage. In the new place its in the front driveway so Sheryl is concerned that people will see we are away when the truck has gone missing.

Again appreciate all the responses.

Cheers

Mike

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

We have used house sitters a couple of times and do not charge for anything. They are doing us a service by keeping our house secure. They have full use of the house if they want to. Mow the grass if needed and water plants.

We have been advised not to charge any amount, as this could class them as tenants, and as such have legal rights under tenancy laws. If you are unlucky enough to get troublesome sitters you could have problems getting them to leave. Like getting rid of bad tenants in a rental house.

We have had no trouble.

Barry

Radar · Guru

Mike C wrote:
Tony Bev wrote:
I would like to put in a word for neighbour watch

When we travel (for a few months at a time), our neighbours keep an eye out

At present both the neighbours, on each side of us are travelling

We (and I will assume others in the street), are keeping their eye out for them, collecting mail etc
That's how we handled it at the old house where we had lived for 20 years.. Neighbours both sides kept a watch and we travelled up to six months at a time.
Only been in this house for a couple of months and had seen a lot of talk about house sitting ( this place has room for a motorhome or caravan ) so I thought I would check it out.
Also in the other house we didn't have room for the motor home so it was kept in storage. In the new place its in the front driveway so Sheryl is concerned that people will see we are away when the truck has gone missing.
Again appreciate all the responses.
Cheers
Mike

Hi Mike,

We have wonderful neighbours who collect the mail, mow the foot path and like you I park our van on the front driveway, that to me is my main concern also, to me taking the van away is like alarm for the wrong people.

What I have done is get the next doors visitors to park in my ungated driveway. There parents come around almost every day to help out, take a young one to school, baby sit and so on.

We feel very lucky about having good neighbours of mixed ages, some working, 2 on shift work and a couple of retires.

Sometimes its trust, luck and good insurance.

-- Edited by Radar on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 04:53:33 PM

RosieW · Guru

Grubbygypsy wrote:
Seems ok Mike. I wouldn't do it myself as I hate gardening. I see it as men's work lol (I'm a traditionalist in many ways) - but you'll more than likely get a couple as opposed to a single anyways.
I was more talking of some of the adverts I've seen - picking up taking kids to school - cooking dinner - attending stock etc etc and they say it like it's a WOW opportunity for you lol. I just wonder how many applicants they get.

I pretty rarely stay in parks also, cos I'm increasingly anti social. I'm a happy bush camper for nix.
Actually, last sit I did, I was mortified when I rocked up and heard the traffic I was going to have to endure......but it's probably only me....I'm a through and through bushie who detests traffic noise. It enabled me to achieve what I needed to do in the area - so all was good. Totally fell in love with the animals....gorgeous dudes they were. Mostly I do commercial caretaking things more than private though.

As for the security situation - I don't think it would be unreasonable to ask for a police clearance but I don't know how worthy it could be. I think WOM is usually the best and that's how sitters can remain pretty booked up I'd say. I also reckon travellers would be better than someone's friends grandson etc.

I don't know about other sitters - but I don't like staying in houses. I'm very happy in my van and prefer to stay in it and just keep house tidy from the pets and feeding paraphernalia. I will use (and keep clean) loo if available, but I much prefer everything in life to stay as I am used to.

Oh, I've seen many of those! I don't mind a bit of work about the place (to keep it tidy) and feeding a few animals, but if I am going to work for free, it'll be for a charity/organisation I support, not some cheapskate looking for free labour.

Re: traffic noise. We are several km from the highway, but in the wee small hours, we hear the early risers/trucks. After 12 months in the Outback, it is strange to hear traffic again....

Dunmowin · Guru

Tony Bev wrote:
I would like to put in a word for neighbour watch

When we travel (for a few months at a time), our neighbours keep an eye out

At present both the neighbours, on each side of us are travelling

We (and I will assume others in the street), are keeping their eye out for them, collecting mail etc

I was actually secretary for neighbour hood watch in our previous life - and the house was broken into twice.....