FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions by Housesitters
What are the benefits of becoming a Housesitter?
What are Homeowners looking for in a Housesitter?
What does it take to be a Housesitting Company Housesitter?
What are the minimum requirements for becoming a Housesitting Company Sitter?
How many housesitting assignments can I expect to get?
How long is the average housesit?
Can I mind a home with my family?
Can I bring my own pets to a housesit?
How much does it cost to become a Housesitter with The Housesitting Company?
Does the Housesitter pay any costs to the Homeowner?
Do we get paid to do housesits?
What happens in the event that I accidentally damage something?
I want to become a Housesitting Company Housesitter, where do I sign up?
What are the benefits of becoming a Housesitter?
Being a Housesitting Company Sitter is an exciting lifestyle which enables you to explore New Zealand, save money on rent and stay in some beautiful homes.
Housesitting is probably the smartest way to save money without working more hours or cutting back on spending. For most people, a large portion of their income goes straight to the landlord. What if you could live rent free 40-80% of the time? Do some maths and you will see that becoming a Housesitting Company Sitter can save you $10,000-$20,000 per year depending on how many housesits you secure and if you can find flexible accommodation in between housesits.
Another main reason that people want to become Housesitting Company Sitters is the adventure and opportunity to travel. With housesitting you will experience a wide variety of homes, lifestyles and pets. For example, you can book a housesit in Queenstown over the Christmas period and enjoy your own holiday there while the Homeowners are on holiday elsewhere. You are able to live in different neighbourhoods and perhaps get an idea of where you would like to purchase a home. You 
can even take a tour around New Zealand taking on 2-4 week housesits as you travel around the country in your camper van or boat. Or, you might simply want to live in somebody else’s shoes for a few weeks and experience inner-city living, or look after a rural farm much like the one you grew up on all those years ago.
Housesitting is a lot of fun, but at the end of the day, housesitting should be mutually beneficial for the Housesitter and the Homeowner, where the Housesitter provides care for Homeowners’ pets, home and property while enjoying the benefits of staying rent free in some magnificent homes in fantastic locations.
What are Homeowners looking for in a Housesitter?
We have found that the ideal Housesitters fall into one or more of the following categories:
• Married couples (without children)
• Mature singles between the ages of 21 and 70
• Non-smokers
• People that work from home or are retired
• Animal lovers
The key requirement is that you are an animal lover. If you don’t like pets then you shouldn’t register to become a Housesitting Company Sitter. Ninety-eight percent of the housesits involve looking after pets and when you meet Homeowners, the thing they are watching most is to see how you interact with their pets.
Sometimes Homeowners will ask for a Housesitting Company Sitter who works from home, works part time or is retired because they want someone who will be around most of the time. Most Homeowners don’t require this, but it does give these types of Housesitters an advantage.
Homeowners also prefer Housesitters with previous housesitting experience. For this reason, we encourage new Housesitting Company Sitters to take on any housesits they can to build up experience and housesitting references.
If you would like to apply to become a Housesitting Company Sitter with us, click here to register online.
What does it take to be a Housesitting Company Sitter?
A Housesitting Company Sitter’s role is to imitate the Homeowner, by living in their home, keeping the pets’ schedules and taking care of their property as if they were your own.
A Housesitting Company Sitter is required to be responsible, mature and of the utmost integrity. If you pride yourself on being a tidy person but choose not to walk the dog some days (when you told the Homeowner you would walk their dog daily) then you lack the integrity to be a Housesitting Company Sitter. Housesitting is usually fairly straight forward, but every now and then there will be situations that require responsibility and wisdom.
What are the minimum requirements for becoming a Housesitting Company Sitter?
- You are a New Zealand citizen, hold a New Zealand residency or a current New Zealand work permit.
- You have no current or pending criminal convictions.
- You are intending to be housesitting with The Housesitting Company for at least 6 months. (We are looking for people who want to housesit as a lifestyle as opposed to those seeking temporary accommodation).
- You must supply us with at least two written references from previous housesits, landlords, employers or referees who can vouch for your character.
- You must agree to our strict Terms and Conditions.
If you would like to apply to become a Housesitting Company Sitter then please click here to register online.
How many housesitting assignments can I expect to get?
Because it is the Homeowner that chooses the Housesitter, The Housesitting Company cannot guarantee that you will secure housesits and therefore it is advised that you have a place to stay in between housesits. Homeowners are frequently guided by references from previous housesits, therefore we encourage you to apply for as many housesits as possible, even if some might not be in the ideal location, or length of time, as you build up your profile. Good Housesitting Company Sitters can fill 40%-80% of their year with housesits.
Click here to register to become a Housesitting Company Sitter.
How long is the average housesit?
We receive housesits ranging in length from a few days to one year, but the average housesit would be around 1 month. The goal for a Housesitter is to book far enough ahead so that you can piece the gaps in between housesits with more housesits. Because housesitting can be unpredictable and spontaneous, you will need to have a place to stay for any downtime in between housesits.
Can I mind a home with my family?
Yes you can, but it is much harder to place families into housesits than it is to book a mature single person or a couple. We do have some families registered with our company and we won’t refuse your application to become a Housesitter because you have children, but we can’t guarantee you housesits when your chances are much lower than everyone else’s.
Can I bring my own pets to a housesit?
Housesitting Company Sitters are not permitted to bring their own pets to a Housesitting Company housesit.
How much does it cost to become a Housesitter with The Housesitting Company?
The cost is $75.00 per year for those housesitting in the Auckland region. If you are not wishing to housesit in Auckland the cost is $30 per year which covers all other locations.
Click here to register to become a Housesitting Company Sitter.
Does the Housesitter pay any costs to the Homeowner?
In most situations the Housesitter lives rent free in exchange for caring for the Homeowners’ pets, home and property. For longer housesits (5 weeks or more), the Homeowner might ask that the Housesitter contribute to the costs of standard utilities (such as power and water). This is usually discussed at your initial meeting with the Homeowner.
Do we get paid to do housesits?
No. You give your services to the Homeowner in exchange for living there rent free.
What happens in the event that I accidentally damage something?
The Housesitting Company does not take on housesits for clients that don’t have current home and contents insurance. Homeowners are required to advise their insurance company that they will be having a Housesitting Company Sitter staying during their absence.
Generally speaking, you are covered by the Homeowner’s insurance policy, unless it can be shown that you have been negligent. However, you may wish to consider taking out your own private liability and indemnity insurance. Most Homeowners are generally forgiving for small breakages, such as a glass or plate. In being honest and offering to replace or reimburse for the loss or damage usually goes a long way with the Homeowner.
