House sitting
Encyclopedia
House sitting is the practice whereby a landlord (or "homeowner"), leaving their house for a period of time, entrusts it to one or more "house sitters", who by a mutual agreement
are entitled to live there rent-free in exchange for assuming responsibilities such as taking care of the homeowner's pets, performing general maintenance
(including pools, lawns, air-conditioning systems etc.), keeping trespassers off the property, readdressing the mail, and in general, making sure that everything runs smoothly just as if the owner was at home.
It is also generally implied that crime
is deterred by the presence of the house sitter. This is supported by the fact that insurance companies in the United Kingdom provide reduced rates for householders who use the services of house sitting agencies. Some insurance companies will void your policy if the house is left vacant for more than 30 days without prior arrangement. In Canada, there can be insurance company issues with leaving homes empty for more than 4 days. Therefore it is important to have someone enter your home at least once for every 4 days you are absent. Hiring a house sitter can provide the support and documentation you need to help you in the event that you may need to make a claim with your insurance company.
A newly developed version of house sitting which has gained widespread acceptance, is the contracting of house sitters who do not live on premises. This house sitting arrangement requires the house sitter to provide regular visits to the homeowner's house. The frequency of visits are determined in advance and are not less than the minimum requirements as stipulated by the homeowner's insurance policy. This type of service can perform similar functions as mentioned above. It is becoming more popular as many homeowner's do not wish to have someone living in their house while they are away.
The whole practice is open to negotiation
, notably as to whether a security deposit is required by the homeowner and whether a money payment should be made from one of the parties involved (as its share of the benefits is larger: typically, this is considered to be the house sitter).
Often, pet sitters simultaneously assume the role of a house sitter while they are caring for a homeowner's pet. This may or may not increase the pet sitter's standard rate, depending on the individual and the number of tasks required if the home/pet owner is paying for a house sitter. This depends on whether the homeowner is paying a house sitting agency, or whether they have found a house/pet sitter from a house sitting website that enables them to find house sitters free of charge. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to both, including cost, reading information about, and being able to choose your house/pet sitter.
. Demand and offer can be matched more easily and incognito through the use of dedicated web sites.
Usually these sites require a membership fee from either the would-be house sitter, the homeowner or both, and provide a basic infrastructure to allow contacts between potential house sitters and homeowners. Services such as Skype
make it a lot easier for the home/pet owner to meet potential sitters first, then they can check references, and be sent any required documentation, for example, a police clearance document.
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
are entitled to live there rent-free in exchange for assuming responsibilities such as taking care of the homeowner's pets, performing general maintenance
Maintenance, Repair and Operations
Maintenance, repair, and operations or maintenance, repair, and overhaul involves fixing any sort of mechanical or electrical device should it become out of order or broken...
(including pools, lawns, air-conditioning systems etc.), keeping trespassers off the property, readdressing the mail, and in general, making sure that everything runs smoothly just as if the owner was at home.
It is also generally implied that crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
is deterred by the presence of the house sitter. This is supported by the fact that insurance companies in the United Kingdom provide reduced rates for householders who use the services of house sitting agencies. Some insurance companies will void your policy if the house is left vacant for more than 30 days without prior arrangement. In Canada, there can be insurance company issues with leaving homes empty for more than 4 days. Therefore it is important to have someone enter your home at least once for every 4 days you are absent. Hiring a house sitter can provide the support and documentation you need to help you in the event that you may need to make a claim with your insurance company.
A newly developed version of house sitting which has gained widespread acceptance, is the contracting of house sitters who do not live on premises. This house sitting arrangement requires the house sitter to provide regular visits to the homeowner's house. The frequency of visits are determined in advance and are not less than the minimum requirements as stipulated by the homeowner's insurance policy. This type of service can perform similar functions as mentioned above. It is becoming more popular as many homeowner's do not wish to have someone living in their house while they are away.
The whole practice is open to negotiation
Negotiation
Negotiation is a dialogue between two or more people or parties, intended to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference, or gain advantage in outcome of dialogue, to produce an agreement upon courses of action, to bargain for individual or collective advantage, to craft outcomes to satisfy...
, notably as to whether a security deposit is required by the homeowner and whether a money payment should be made from one of the parties involved (as its share of the benefits is larger: typically, this is considered to be the house sitter).
Often, pet sitters simultaneously assume the role of a house sitter while they are caring for a homeowner's pet. This may or may not increase the pet sitter's standard rate, depending on the individual and the number of tasks required if the home/pet owner is paying for a house sitter. This depends on whether the homeowner is paying a house sitting agency, or whether they have found a house/pet sitter from a house sitting website that enables them to find house sitters free of charge. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to both, including cost, reading information about, and being able to choose your house/pet sitter.
Internet influence
The practice of "house sitting" has been greatly affected by the development of the InternetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. Demand and offer can be matched more easily and incognito through the use of dedicated web sites.
Usually these sites require a membership fee from either the would-be house sitter, the homeowner or both, and provide a basic infrastructure to allow contacts between potential house sitters and homeowners. Services such as Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
make it a lot easier for the home/pet owner to meet potential sitters first, then they can check references, and be sent any required documentation, for example, a police clearance document.