House Sitting

Techno

Has anyone ever done house sitting to eke out the pension?
OH wants to retire at 55 and so looking for things for him to do - looked on the net but doesn't actually say how much you get for doing this!! Willing to care for pets and do light gardening
All advice welcome
Techno
xx

Jennifer_Jane

Hi there, I got some info on this in 2004 - not retiring until for another few years (unfortunately) - from www.money.guardian.co.uk. Can't remember if the article was sourced via this forum (pretty likely!). Their article mentioned "the largest agency, Homesitters (01296 630 730), paying £55 a week". Housesitters are entitled to the Nat. Min. Wage, but apparently 'Homesitters' comply because their sitters are free to leave the house for up to 3 hours during the day and 1 hour at night; they are paid for 2 hours' "work" a day. Plus a small additional amount for each pet looked after, plus travel exp. and a tax-free food allowance of £6 a day. If a client requires someone on the premises 24-hours a day, the sitters are paid extra.

There is also "'Animal Aunts' (01730 821529) earning a basic of £26.25 a day (NB this is the 2004 article, still). One sitter was getting £68 a day looking after nine horses, three dogs, three geese and a cat."

BUT - a friend of mine who is a whizz with horses, does this for a friend and says she has really battled with managing the horses, so the pet-sitters probably earn every penny.

The article also mentions a 'growth market in house-sitting in unoccupied properties up for sale, and those awaiting probate.

Another article was a Government (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister!) initiative called "Slivers of Time". It seems to be you register with this and say when you are free, and then you get offered work.

Hope this helps
Jen

Techno

Thanks Jen, that's really helpful
We are a few years off yet but as far as OH is concerned - retirement = the sooner the better so investigating his options!!

I_love_Airedales

Hello, small independant retailers may be looking for honest people to look after their shops while they are on holiday. I don't know the going rate for that though may be worth asking around.
I think pubs and newsagents pay quite well but you would possibly have to have training for these.
There is a chap in my area does dog walking, he is very well thought of. he has insurance too so that would be an expense plus you have to like dogs.
Good luck keeping him occupied when the time comes.
ILA

missile

Seems like a pretty poor return for your time. I guess it would appeal to those who like the idea of living in someone else's home. I believe you have quite a few fomrs and interviews to complete before you are "approved"

Techno

We initially thought it might be a bit like a paid holiday!!! Very happy to look after dogs (and cats as long as they aren't too fluffy - atishoo, atishoo!!) and take for long walks etc but if you can only be away from the house for 3 hours - won't be able to see much.
Pubs and newsagents sound a bit too much like hard work I love Airedales(OH's parents had a newsagent and my parents a licensed hotel when we were younger) Mind you - one thought was going off to be a chalet 'boy and girl' as we both love skiing - which is equally hard work and slave labour but hey - if you're in the mountains who cares?

Jennifer_Jane

Well, I think you could advertise your services and do it all yourself (but might need to take out some kind of insurance?). Could advertise in your local paper, or local posh mag eg 'Cheshire Life' in my area, or even nationally in, say, 'The Lady'. At least the money would be all yours! To me it also sounded a bit lonely, but nice for a couple perhaps.

I also thought 3 hours was unreasonable! Bet the owners are out for more time than that.

JJ