Beating the energy price cap by becoming a home and pet sitter!

Posted on 28 March, 2022

Photo by ColiN00B on Unsplash

In April the energy price cap set by the regulator, Ofgem[i] is set to go up. Following record increases in global gas prices it will rise by 54% or £693 for approximately 22 million customers. This means those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase from £1,277 currently to £1,971 per year from the 1st April.

This could soar even further, to over £3,000 later in the year due to rising gas prices because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine[ii]. Unfortunately there is little anyone can do to beat this bar limiting the amount of gas and electricity they use and switching tariffs to the cheapest you can find.

But there is another possibility that could help reduce your home energy bills and that’s to become a home and pet sitter, a role that involves going to stay in people’s homes when they go away to take care of the home and pets.

Becoming a homesitter is an ideal flexible job for those that are retired and most of our homesitters are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. It’s a great way to keep active, explore the UK and spend time with animals. People also receive a modest remuneration and a food allowance which can contribute to pension income.

As most people who are retired end up spending more time at home because they are no longer out at work, finding a role where they stay in other people’s homes can mean considerable savings on their home energy bills, especially if they are away on lots of assignments during the colder months.

Of course this is never the main motivation to become a homesitter, but it can be added bonus! For Brian and Barbara Kennedy who have been homesitting since 2004 after taking early retirement when they were 50 and 52 respectively, it was a way to carry on working in a part-time flexible role post retirement.

On average the couple do about 200 days of homesitting each year on around 20 assignments. The length of assignments varies from as little as two days upwards to their longest single assignment of seven weeks. They also spent a total of 22 weeks in one house over an 18 month period where the client requested continuous cover.

Their favourite thing about the role is spending time with the pets which so far have included dogs, cats, chickens, geese, rabbits, sheep, goats, horses and Guinea fowl; exploring new surroundings and meeting new clients. They especially enjoy walking dogs and believe they are fitter because of it.

Brian explains, “In our early days of homesitting while out on a morning walk in fields with dogs cavorting in the sunshine, I would often think of my former work colleagues attending a team meeting in a windowless conference room, probably thinking of the many tasks awaiting them. I knew exactly where I preferred to be.

“These regular walks provide us with welcome exercise and fresh air and I believe we are more fit and healthy as a result than we might otherwise be after 18 years of retirement. We also really enjoy the sense of responsibility and purpose we get when we are left in charge of someone’s home and pets, and the satisfaction in knowing we are doing a good job which enables the client to have a stress-free break.”

The couple have stayed in more than 80 different homes, some very modest like their own and others veering towards stately. They have cared for more than 140 different dogs of many breeds from Rottweilers to Chihuahuas, Labradors to working Cocker Spaniels.

Assignments have covered many areas including Northamptonshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and areas of London including Hampstead, Kensington and Chelsea, Barnes, Putney and Wimbledon.

Brian concludes, “We have visited and stayed in more parts of the Home Counties in the past 18 years than we did in the previous 40 years. Homesitting has been for us like having lots of small holidays; up to 20 times each year we pack our bags, load the car and set off on a new adventure.

“For us the payment we receive isn’t a strong motivation but it is nice to have. It means we can enjoy occasional pub lunches during our stays in different areas while not putting a strain on the budget. An unexpected bonus has been the significant reduction in our home heating bill too.”

If this sounds like the ideal role for you and you are keen to do something that could help reduce your home heating bill too, then get in touch. We are recruiting homesitters now. For more information and to apply, click here.


[i] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/price-cap-in...

[ii] https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/bills/en...

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