Many home owners hire a house sitter to care for their home when they are away for weeks or months, instead of leaving it vacant.Some insurance companies may not cover a house left vacant for more than 30 days because it is more prone to theft.House sitters can be hired or friends.House sitters are able to care for plants, pets, lawns, and general home upkeep.Your home can remain in good shape if you establish the services they provide and compensate them correctly.Find out how to pay a house sitter.
Step 1: Decide if you want to hire a friend or visit a website with house sitter databases.
Asking a friend, student or young adult to be a house sitter is an informal way to go.You can find a house sitter in your area with the help of companies such as House Sitters America.On TrustedHouseSitters.com, you can find sitters that don't require payment and others that do.In return for a free retreat, the majority will house sit free of charge.This provides a win-win for both parties and as no money is changing hands then it is seem more as someone helping you out, so they are not there to do a job but do of course have a responsibility to care for your home and pets.
Step 2: Determine the services the house sitter will provide.
List the things that need to be looked after.Pets, fish, lawn care, cleaning, gardening, houseplants, mail pick up, and returning messages can be included.The more the house sitter needs to do, the more they should be paid.
Step 3: The house sitter can stay at the house or just visit once per day.
If the house sitter has to commute to your house to take care of plants, mail or pets, then you should pay them for an hour or so per visit.You can find a fair hourly wage of $15 to $25 per visit.
Step 4: Consider if you are providing a service.
For some young people, house sitting may allow them to live rent-free for a short time.You may not have to pay since it is a fair exchange of services.Many house sitting agencies arrange services for the benefit of the person watching the house.Extra compensation beyond the house and utilities is not asked for by them.If you plan to leave for a long period of time, utilities could be paid in exchange for housing and house chores.
Step 5: The benefits outweigh the responsibilities of the house sitting position.
The more responsibility they have, the more they should be paid.Taking care of a pet should be seen as 2 jobs.Pets prefer to stay at home and be cared for by someone they know.If you want to watch your pets over weeks or months, you should get a fair daily wage.It is a job to clean the house or grounds.If you hire a house sitter to live in and maintain a vacation home for you, they should be paid an hourly wage for the time they are there.Unless you are giving someone a place to rent for a long period of time, fixing up the house should be considered an hourly job.
Step 6: Negotiating with the house sitter is the best way to decide what is fair.
They might have expectations for the position.If you are hiring a house sitter, you need to create a contract.
Step 7: If there is a package receipt or newspaper delivery, pay the sitter in advance.
They don't have to pay large bills if you arrange with the utility companies.
Step 8: If you have agreed to pay for services, you should pay the house sitter immediately.
If someone is providing care for a vacation home, send a check at regular intervals.
Step 9: If a house sitter has offered to take care of the house for free, bring a gift.
Consider giving them wine, food or a gift from your travels.