During longer sessions, there are plenty of opportunities to dive, including language classes and volunteering. Set goals for what you want to get out of your home sitting experience. Creating a „local to-do list“ ensures you don`t miss anything. Time flies when you`re having fun! Home sitting is a great way to save money on accommodation, whether you`re traveling around the world or planning a shorter trip closer to home. An annual membership with a dedicated website – such as Trusted House Sitters ($119 per year), Mind My House ($20 per year), House Carers ($37 per year), Aussie House Sitters ($57 per year), Kiwi House Sitters ($54 per year), House Sitters UK ($37 per year), House Sitters America ($30 per year), House Sitters Canada ($45 per year) or Mind A Home (in Australia, $40 per year), to name a few, gives you access to offers and the opportunity to stay in someone`s home and take care of their pets while on vacation. It`s pretty simple; Simply create a profile, pay the fees, and reach people with homes and pets listed in the places you`re interested in. (All prices are in USD). Describe permitted parking spaces on or near your property, including costs and restrictions. You may be able to arrange a visitor parking pass for your caretaker to use during their stay. It`s not necessary, but it`s certainly a good idea. With most of our homes, we baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies and left them on the counter for the owners to enjoy.
However, it is not necessary that they are cookies. You can leave a vase of flowers or just a beautiful card that says how you enjoyed your stay and the pets. Homeowners – Use this checklist to make sure you`re ready to hand over the care of your home to your babysitter on the day you leave. If you leave one or more pets in the care of your caregiver, read the accompanying document: Before You Go – Pet Owner Checklist. Local transit cards that cover bike, bus, train, tram and metro travel are invaluable in helping your housekeepers find their way. You can write down a list of all the areas or rooms in your home or property that you don`t want your home caretaker to use (add it to your home sitter contract). You may want to assign a friend, relative, or neighbor the role of a named contact person who will contact your caretaker in your absence. If so, leave enough contact information for your babysitter to reach them at any time of the day or night. You need to determine how comfortable your designated contact feels with making decisions on your behalf. Every house sits differently, but at the local level there are responsibilities and duties that you must follow. Unless you have a real emergency, there`s no excuse to leave a house early.
If an emergency arises and you have no choice but to leave, you should do everything you can to ensure that the host has time to return home or find a replacement. Do not leave your pets. „Typically, a housekeeper takes care of her own meals during her stay,“ says Gottsman. „However, there may be food left for the babysitter, which they are invited to eat.“ Housekeepers need to remember that they are moving into someone`s home – even for a short time – which includes Fido and Fluffy and all their valuables. That dusty bottle of Bordeaux hidden in the basement may seem perfect for a grill in the yard, but the owners may have saved the special vintage for their wedding day. Just as every pet is unique, so is every home and the rules it contains. Your listing should include a lot of information about where you will be staying, as well as accurate photos. Don`t forget to also include any household tasks you want to transmit, such as watering plants or filtering the pool. But remember that you are not allowed to ask your babysitter to do what could be considered a professional service, such as redecorating the house or running your business from home. These are also tips and tricks for a great seat label at home. Nothing is required, but I like to go a step further to show my gratitude. Karma is an amazing thing.
Your utilities must be paid in your absence, either by you or by the babysitter (depending on the financial arrangements you have agreed). However, no matter who pays for utilities, your babysitter needs to know all about keeping these critical items in your home. The key here is to be organized and get all the information. When you start sitting in the house, it can be a bit difficult. You never know exactly what to discuss with the owner or know about the house and pets. Before you lock yourself in a house, you need to be on the same page as the homeowner and know exactly what to expect. There may be more downtime at home than you can imagine, especially for those opting for more remote and secluded areas. Try incorporating a hobby or something you enjoy to maintain a sense of belonging. Do you like knitting? Find a role model and challenge yourself. Is meditation important to you? Make it part of your daily routine. A hobby and something you enjoy will help you feel balanced and grounded and spend time constructively. It`s important to make sure you`re having a good time on your home, so you`re looking forward to the next opportunity! You wrote that so well! I sit a lot, usually in my own area, so there isn`t much travel, but I`m always looking for tips to improve my way of doing things and I found them here! I agree that you should always leave the place tidy, I clean and wash the sheets before leaving, and I usually get flowers for the owner.
Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you, great advice! When you walk away, you can leave a car, SUV, camper, boat, bike or tractor behind to deal with a period of obsolescence. You can ask your caretaker to clean and maintain your vehicles in your absence. If you have an alarm system, you may need to make arrangements with the security company to use a security code and password specifically for your home caretaker. Security systems can be very tricky (and noisy), so tell your caretaker exactly how to handle your alarm system. So you`ve confirmed your first home concert! Congratulations and welcome to a great community of travelers who love animals, love the outdoors, seek authentic experiences, and want to connect more deeply with destinations. If you`re new to this, it can seem a bit overwhelming with what`s to come, and not know what to expect. I`ve compiled some of my best tips and tricks on home seating etiquette to hopefully help you prepare for an exciting new chapter. Above all, remember that even if it is your temporary home, it is your host`s permanent home. Do not destroy the place and do not let pets become too messy. Sure, the house may seem inhabited – that`s really why you`re here after all – but keep things as clean and tidy as possible.
While it`s not essential, it`s always a good idea to clean the house thoroughly before you leave. Not only is it a great way to thank you when your host returns to a sparkling home, but it`s also a positive review for your next home gig. Many people treat housekeeping as a holiday for themselves and if you have wonderful animals or beautiful scenery, even better! Some homeowners try to take advantage of the house guards and get free labor. As a house caretaker, it is not uncommon for him to be asked to follow the maintenance and cleaning of the pool/spa, the general mowing of the lawn or gardening. It`s totally fine if you agree in the interview. For example, we stayed in England for a couple who were away for three weeks. In the first few days, a huge leak jumped into the kitchen ceiling. Over the next 17 days, we met with the plumbers on their behalf, but we kept the owners updated on each new development. Sometimes the cleaning doesn`t always go as planned! Make sure and check out the review we mentioned earlier! It`s amazing how eccentric and moody your laundry equipment can become with age. Leave instructions for your babysitter on how to stay on the right side of your washer and dryer.
If your home is a condominium, unit or rental property, you may want to leave a copy of the by-laws or lease that your caretaker can refer to.
