Frequently Asked Questions From Our House Sitters

Before you accept the assignment, we make sure you know exactly what you’re in for. For example; what pets, if any, you are being asked to care for, as well as the location and what type of home it is. Most of the time, while on assignment, you are free to come and go as you wish, within a 3-hour window. If you become one of our house sitters based in Berkshire, you will have to care for any pets the client may have, sticking closely to the specifications they give you. You’ll need to make sure the areas of the house that you use are clean and tidy by the time the owners come back. We also ask you to take messages for the client from telephone callers, callers at the door, as well as taking in post and parcels, keeping them safe and handing them to the client upon their return. You might have to do some light gardening too, such as watering plants, flowers and veggie patches, depending on what the client asks.

House sitting is a great way to visit different parts of the UK. For pet lovers, you get to look after and enjoy the company of pets, without the financial tie. It’s a win-win! It is also a great way of topping up any other income you may have. You save money on your own household costs, such as gas, electricity and water bills and you’ll even receive a food allowance, which is tax free, as well as full reimbursement of your travel costs. Best of all, you get to work when and where you wish!

This is a job, not a prison. Of course, you’re allowed out and about! You can spend up to three consecutive hours away from the client’s home during daylight hours before you’ve got to get back and check in with the house. That way you can explore the local area, grab some lunch and stretch your legs. When you are in the client’s home, it is not unusual for sitters to take their hobbies with them. There have been some clients, for example, who are budding authors, who have taken the opportunity to write in peace, taking inspiration from their new surroundings without the distractions of being in their own home.

Not at all. When a suitable assignment comes in, we’ll just offer it to you and it’s then up to you whether or not you want to take it. Wherever the job, you’d have your petrol costs reimbursed, avoiding any travel expenses. We have some sitters who like to stay fairly local, and others who love to explore different parts of the UK. The only ask we have of you, at this stage, is that once you accept a sitting job, you stick with it!

Unfortunately, not. Should you accept a job that happens to be near family or friends, we ask that you meet them away from the clients’ home and within your permitted 3-hour absence allowance.

We have all kinds of sitters on our roster. Some are single and sit by themselves, others are couples who sit together, so it’s entirely up to you. The only thing to mention on that front is that you’ll have to agree with your client beforehand on whether or not you can bring your spouse. Also, the food allowance only covers one house sitter, so you’ll have to supplement your spouse’s food costs too.

While emergencies are very rare while on assignment, they can still happen. When you are on an assignment, you will have an emergency telephone number to call should anything go wrong. This will connect you with a senior member of the team who will be able to help resolve your issues and set things right.

Whatever your background or skills you have, only you will know if house sitting is for you. If you enjoy meeting new people, exploring new areas, why not call us for a more in-depth chat, where you can ask whatever questions you like. We are a people-first business so we love a chat!

While the wage packet is fair, you won’t get rich from house sitting! You will receive a daily rate which, together with a daily food allowance and a mileage allowance to recover your travel expenses, can supplement a pension or other income.

If you are interested, just complete our application form, or get in touch through our contact form. This starts our application process. As a word of warning, this process is quite lengthy and detailed because it is essential that both our clients and our sitters trust us and are right for each other. If you are a successful applicant, you will join a very happy team of sitters!