9 September 2011

House sitter recommendations in Canberra?

| kezzafezza
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My husband and I are going to the USA next year in April for a month, and need a house sitter.

We have no family in Canberra, and all our friends currently rent or own their own homes, and are unable to help. We need someone mainly to look after our two indoor cats and outdoor dog, as I don’t want to have to fork out for a months worth of boarding for 3 animals (close to 1.8k), and I would like someone to keep them company, as opposed to just somebody dropping over to feed them.

Anyone with experience and/or recommendations of individuals/companies?

Thanks

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Thanks for all the info everyone. I’ll keep it all in mind, while waiting to hear back from my boss if she can house-sit

thy_dungeonman7:20 pm 10 Sep 11

I would be happy to put myself forward for the job, I have house-sat before and can provide a reference, I am also happy to undergo a police check if required. I am currently looking after a family dog as well as walking another for someone else, I really enjoy looking after animals and I am good with walking, feeding and commands. I’m a 3rd year university student so I have lot of spare time and I love spending time with animals. Please email u4525477@anu.edu.au if you are interested.

I house-sat for one family last month, am house-sitting for a different family last month, and will be house-sitting for my own family next month!

Things I have found useful:

– Written instructions. Cannot emphasise this enough.
– Contact numbers, of owners and if possible of nearby friends or relatives in case of emergency.
– Feeding and care instructions for pets, name of regular vet and discussion of how vet bills would be paid if necessary (some vets will take credit card payments over the phone, for example, but in case for some reason that isn’t possible it’s good to know a) that if the sitter lays out the money themselves they will be reimbursed and b) whether there is an upper limit, e.g. not spending several thousand dollars on surgery for an extremely elderly pet).
– Instructions on heating, appliances etc. Again, useful to know what owners would want done in the case that something went wrong and they couldn’t be contacted.
– Internet, phone and utility bills – who’ll be paying, what’s acceptable (e.g. local calls) and what’s not (e.g. international calls).
– Bin collection, always good to know.
– Whatever chores are expected around the house.

The people I’m currently sitting for got me to sign a house-minding agreement. They printed it off the net and I’m not sure how legally binding it would be, but it’s good to have everything down in writing for both parties. I did offer to sign a police check and so on, but that never eventuated.

The people I house-sat for last month had a Houdini dog, and they got a new tag made up with my mobile number on it. It came in useful when she found a corner to push through the fence and ended up four houses down the street!

pink little birdie said :

cavvygreen said :

Hi,
We have done house and petsitting for 4 years and have travelled all over Oz. Made heaps of friends who call us “the best house sitters ever”.
We now only sit for the friends we have made, in a couple of areas. Gold Coast in winter (they fit their holidays around our arrangements) and by the beach in summer. It’s a hard life!
Just a few tips.
Make sure you sight a Police Check certificate.
Get some references from previous house minding jobs and don’t hesitate to check them out.
Carefully judge sitter’s interaction with your pets.
Make an extremely detailed list of your requirements, contacts etc. Helps everyone.
We usually take our own linen and pillows.
We appreciate being able to use small amounts of pantry items e.g : oil, vinegar, spices etc.
A little gift on your return is a nice touch.
Treat your house minder with respect. It’s a 2 way street!
Aussiehousesitters.com.au is a good resource.

cavvygreen said :

Hi,
We have done house and petsitting for 4 years and have travelled all over Oz. Made heaps of friends who call us “the best house sitters ever”.
We now only sit for the friends we have made, in a couple of areas. Gold Coast in winter (they fit their holidays around our arrangements) and by the beach in summer. It’s a hard life!
Just a few tips.
Make sure you sight a Police Check certificate.
Get some references from previous house minding jobs and don’t hesitate to check them out.
Carefully judge sitter’s interaction with your pets.
Make an extremely detailed list of your requirements, contacts etc. Helps everyone.
We usually take our own linen and pillows.
We appreciate being able to use small amounts of pantry items e.g : oil, vinegar, spices etc.
A little gift on your return is a nice touch.
Treat your house minder with respect. It’s a 2 way street!
Aussiehousesitters.com.au is a good resource.

wholly crap.. that’s a whole lot of effort to do someone a favor.
I normally just housesit for friends….
In summary:
Give instructions in clear legible handwriting…. it’s apprieated if I’m looking after pets that there are instructions that at least mention the pets. I tend to feel bad for the pets so they get extra attention and food.
Show me where the DVD player is and how to work it.
I’ll ask about having people over particully if it’s for as long as a month.
I’ll leave the house in the same state as what I found it.
I’ll also snoop your bookshelves cos I like reading.
Chances are I’ll only cook in your microwave cos cooking properly for 1 person is a bore.

House sitting for a stranger is different but I would check their photo ID and get work contacts and meet them where their are lots of people and google them. hehehehe

Ha Ha! You sound like a fun house sitter. I bet the pets would have a great time with you! Probably good not to over feed – greedy labs for instance.
That’s a good idea to meet or google them.
Our sits always leave out books, videos etc. and insist we have visitors.Not to stay though! You can’t put your life on hold for a month.

pink little birdie4:33 pm 09 Sep 11

cavvygreen said :

Hi,
We have done house and petsitting for 4 years and have travelled all over Oz. Made heaps of friends who call us “the best house sitters ever”.
We now only sit for the friends we have made, in a couple of areas. Gold Coast in winter (they fit their holidays around our arrangements) and by the beach in summer. It’s a hard life!
Just a few tips.
Make sure you sight a Police Check certificate.
Get some references from previous house minding jobs and don’t hesitate to check them out.
Carefully judge sitter’s interaction with your pets.
Make an extremely detailed list of your requirements, contacts etc. Helps everyone.
We usually take our own linen and pillows.
We appreciate being able to use small amounts of pantry items e.g : oil, vinegar, spices etc.
A little gift on your return is a nice touch.
Treat your house minder with respect. It’s a 2 way street!
Aussiehousesitters.com.au is a good resource.

cavvygreen said :

Hi,
We have done house and petsitting for 4 years and have travelled all over Oz. Made heaps of friends who call us “the best house sitters ever”.
We now only sit for the friends we have made, in a couple of areas. Gold Coast in winter (they fit their holidays around our arrangements) and by the beach in summer. It’s a hard life!
Just a few tips.
Make sure you sight a Police Check certificate.
Get some references from previous house minding jobs and don’t hesitate to check them out.
Carefully judge sitter’s interaction with your pets.
Make an extremely detailed list of your requirements, contacts etc. Helps everyone.
We usually take our own linen and pillows.
We appreciate being able to use small amounts of pantry items e.g : oil, vinegar, spices etc.
A little gift on your return is a nice touch.
Treat your house minder with respect. It’s a 2 way street!
Aussiehousesitters.com.au is a good resource.

wholly crap.. that’s a whole lot of effort to do someone a favor.
I normally just housesit for friends….
In summary:
Give instructions in clear legible handwriting…. it’s apprieated if I’m looking after pets that there are instructions that at least mention the pets. I tend to feel bad for the pets so they get extra attention and food.
Show me where the DVD player is and how to work it.
I’ll ask about having people over particully if it’s for as long as a month.
I’ll leave the house in the same state as what I found it.
I’ll also snoop your bookshelves cos I like reading.
Chances are I’ll only cook in your microwave cos cooking properly for 1 person is a bore.

House sitting for a stranger is different but I would check their photo ID and get work contacts and meet them where their are lots of people and google them. hehehehe

Hi,
We have done house and petsitting for 4 years and have travelled all over Oz. Made heaps of friends who call us “the best house sitters ever”.
We now only sit for the friends we have made, in a couple of areas. Gold Coast in winter (they fit their holidays around our arrangements) and by the beach in summer. It’s a hard life!
Just a few tips.
Make sure you sight a Police Check certificate.
Get some references from previous house minding jobs and don’t hesitate to check them out.
Carefully judge sitter’s interaction with your pets.
Make an extremely detailed list of your requirements, contacts etc. Helps everyone.
We usually take our own linen and pillows.
We appreciate being able to use small amounts of pantry items e.g : oil, vinegar, spices etc.
A little gift on your return is a nice touch.
Treat your house minder with respect. It’s a 2 way street!
Aussiehousesitters.com.au is a good resource.

Try canberra.gumtree.com.au. Also try http://www.houseminders.com.au.

If you pop something on here:
http://accom.anu.edu.au/UAS/978/187.html

You’re sure to get some good candidates. Put it up a few weeks/months before you leave and organise some interviews. With enough background research, you’ll be safe as houses.

pink little birdie12:47 pm 09 Sep 11

Chop71 said :

when you’re done with them in April, we need someone for a month mid May-mid June 2012

Maybe It depends on when I leave to go overseas.

when you’re done with them in April, we need someone for a month mid May-mid June 2012

Never understood paying for a house sitter, personally.

Just find a quiet PhD student or international post-grad student. They tend to be happy enough with a roof over their heads.

pink little birdie10:22 am 09 Sep 11

I suggest posting on your work bullitin board.
I can help you out if you want. I can provide references as well. feel free to email me.

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