House/Pet Sitting

seven-day-weekend

In 2010 we intend to spend half our time in the UK and half in Spain. We will be 60 and 61. I will have my State Pension and my husband will have his Teachers' Pension.

While we are in the UK, we would like to earn some money. We can do a bit e-baying and I may do some temping office work (if I can get any), but one thing we thought we could do was house and/or pet-sitting.

We have house-sat for some friends so they could give us a reference.

We would be OK with most household pets but would not want to take on horses etc. We would be prepared to travel to most of England and Wales if it for a week or longer.

Has anyone used a house or pet sitter? What did you expect them to do? What did they charge?

Any advice or suggestions gratefully received.

Purple_Sparkles

Do a search re house sitting. There are quite a few agencies that offer this kind of thing and usually supply (no offence) older people to do house sitting etc... normally you would meet the family and animals concerned and if you are not all happy you don't take the job, they do pay you a travel allowance to attend the 'interview' with respectable agencies.

I have used agencies in the past for this as I have loads of animals and would thoroughly recommend doing this, it earns you some cash while effectively living in the home of somebody else. You would take your own food & toiletries, use of telephone, internet etc... you negotiate with the family.

I hope that helps.

Boppy_2

Its definitely something i would be interested in using if i were to go on holiday again, it'd help to know my dogs wouldn't have to go in kennels and also my house would be safe. Without causing offence i would feel more comfortable having people of your ages in my home rather than younger ones, not sure why so maybe other people would think the same as me.

seven-day-weekend

Not offended by age, I too would prefer people my age!

We thought we might earn a little money from it but also it would be a good way to see other parts of the UK.

We have done house exchange holidays so we are used to living in other peoples' houses, we are fond of animals, my husband especially loves dogs and would love to spend some time walking one (not in a position to have one of his own)....seems we could help someone out whilst earning a bit of money and also have a nice time ourselves.

Thanks for the advice so far....keep it coming!!

Ms_Chocaholic

I'm not sure what opportunity you would have to see other parts of the UK whilst house sitting.

I believe you have to be at the house at which you are sitting for the majority of the time.

seven-day-weekend

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

I'm not sure what opportunity you would have to see other parts of the UK whilst house sitting.

I believe you have to be at the house at which you are sitting for the majority of the time.

But you have to go out shopping don't you? And go to the bank? And walk the dog?

Ms_Chocaholic

Yes but I thought "it would be a good way to see other parts of the UK" meant sightseeing.

seven-day-weekend

No, I just meant living in a different community for a while.

And of course, if it's somewhere else in the country to where you usually live, you can enjoy the travel to get there.

Oldernotwiser

When I've looked at employing housesitters in the past (through an agency) I think that the rule was that you wouldn't leave the property for more than 4/5 hours at a time and never overnight. Plenty of time for sightseeing and getting to know an area, particularly if there's 2 of you.

seven-day-weekend

Agreed, Oldernotwiser, this is the sort of thing we envisaged.

Merrywidow

You have some grand plans SDW - do you plan to rent out your place in your absence - that would be a nice little earner. Are you planning to be in the UK in Summer or Winter? (Need I ask) I will check in LADY magazine and see if I can get some leads or ideas for you. Talking of weather, the papers today said we are having an Indian summer - bah! Its 5.30, pitch black and the rain is bucketing down. More soon.