Important: beware of poor imitations

Since we introduced Homesitting in 1980 we have seen imitators come and go. It would be foolish for us to object to reputable competition, but recently we have become aware of “housesitters” and “petsitters” who are patently second rate – and they tarnish the image of housesitting.

So if you employ anybody who claims to be a housesitter or a petsitter:

• Do ensure that they have full back-up, so that if they fall ill or have to leave the assignment you won’t be let down

• Do make sure they are fully insured for:
  • employer’s liability (in case they hurt themselves)
  • public liability (in case they damage your property)
  • professional indemnity (in case they are incompetent)

• If you’re dealing with a company, obtain confirmation that they accept full responsibility for all aspects of the assignment. Agencies, particularly, may see their responsibilities at an end once the introduction has been effected. Your contract should be with the company, not with the housesitter.

• Do obtain an undertaking that the company is responsible for all the housesitter’s income tax and National Insurance contributions, particularly if you make any payments direct to the housesitter.