Terms and Conditions for Housesitters
Agreement Between Strong Endeavours Ltd T/A The Housesitting Company
and each individual that registers as a Housesitter either through this website or through our Application Form
It is agreed between the parties that:
1. This agreement shall commence immediately after an individual registers as a Housesitter and shall expire one year from now except as otherwise provided in this agreement.
2. The Housesitting Company shall contact the Housesitter to provide housesitting services for its clients (the Homeowners) from time to time during the term of this agreement. However, at no time can The Housesitting Company provide any guarantees as to the number of housesits that the Housesitter will be provided during the term of this agreement.
3. In consideration of this agreement, the Housesitter agrees to comply with the Terms and Conditions set out below.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
In respect of any housesit the Housesitter secured through The Housesitting Company, the Housesitter shall:
(a) occupy the premises of the Homeowner in a sensible and prudent manner and not cause or permit the premises to be used for any illegal purpose
(b) ensure that the premises are secure if the Housesitter is away at any time and that in the Housesitter’s absence from the premises any alarm if available be armed
(c) not cause or permit any interference with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of any other person residing in the neighbourhood
(d) not sub-let or reassign the premises
(e) not allow any animals to reside or stay on the premises (other than Homeowner’s pet/s) or those specified by the Housesitter and agreed upon by the Homeowner
(f) water and care for any indoor/outdoor plants and any other maintenance duties as agreed to by the Homeowner.
(g) take care of the pet/s as prescribed by the Homeowner
(h) allow no other person to stay overnight on the premises or stay on the premises without the Housesitter being there, unless authorised by the Homeowner in writing or email
(i) not permit more than the number of visitors as specified by the Homeowner to visit and enter the premises at any one time
(j) use the Housesitter’s own linen (sheets) unless other arrangements have been made with the Homeowner
(k) stay in the spare non-master bedrooms unless specifically invited to use the master bedroom by the Homeowner
(l) take all reasonable steps to notify or contact the Homeowner and The Housesitting Company if an important event has occurred or an emergency has arisen where an urgent response or decision may be required by the Homeowner
(m) maintain a log of telephone messages and collect the Homeowner’s mail
(n) put out the rubbish/recycling on the designated collection day as required
(o) keep the premises clean and tidy and maintain the premises to the same standard (or better) as at the commencement of the housesit period. This includes ensuring that the bathroom, kitchen and household appliances are regularly cleaned on the premises
(p) not eat any of the Homeowner’s food or use any other consumables unless invited to by the Homeowner
(q) keep all aspects of the Homeowner’s private business and personal affairs confidential, both during and following the term of the housesit
(r) not vacate the premises prior to the expiry of the term of the housesit without obtaining the prior consent from the Homeowner and The Housesitting Company
(s) not, unless otherwise expressly provided for by the Homeowner concerned, leave the premises unattended for more than 15 hours each day
(t) comply with any other terms and conditions specifically required by the Homeowner
(u) comply with housesitting procedures and protocol as instructed by The Housesitting Company
(w) not give out their login and password information for the housesitters.co.nz website to anyone other than those who are specified as housesitting with the Housesitter on The Housesitting Company’s database
GENERAL
4. The Housesitter further agrees:
(a) that in the event of the Housesitter causing, either directly or indirectly, any damage or loss to the premises, the Housesitter shall notify emergency services (if applicable) and, in any case The Housesitting Company, of this as a matter of urgency. The Housesitter shall comply with any instructions given by The Housesitting Company as to the appropriate course of action to undertake
(b) that The Housesitting Company is not liable or responsible for any loss or damages caused by the Housesitter, either directly or indirectly, to the premises or possessions of the Homeowner. The Housesitter is responsible for reimbursing the Homeowner for any losses or damages that occurred during the agreed dates of the housesit and The Housesitting Company recommends that the Housesitter take out indemnity insurance to cover themselves against any accidental damage or loss that the Housesitter may be liable for
c) that The Housesitting Company is indemnified from any liability or responsibility for any direct or indirect damage, accident or injury to the Housesitter or any third party invited onto the property which may result while the Housesitter occupies the property
(d) that the Housesitter is responsible for, and may be both civilly and/or criminally liable for any actions of a third party that the Housesitter invites onto the property
(e) that the director or any persons authorised by The Housesitting Company may carry out a property check of the premises at any reasonable time
(f) that for repeat housesits, the Housesitter shall have no rights to contract with the Homeowner/s directly. The Housesitter shall advise the Homeowner/s concerned to contact The Housesitting Company
(g) that the Housesitter shall not charge the Homeowner for their housesitting services
(h) that the Housesitter shall not divulge either directly or indirectly to any third party any information or documentation relating to the operation of or internal processes of The Housesitting Company’s business processes at any time
(i) that the Housesitter shall keep The Housesitting Company informed of any changes to postal/email addresses and/or telephone numbers
(j) that the Housesitter shall notify The Housesitting Company of any criminal or civil proceedings you are involved in within seven days of you being made aware of these proceedings.
TERMINATION
5. Except as otherwise provided, termination of this agreement may be effected by mutual agreement between the parties, either party giving five days prior written notice of their intention to do so.
6. Notwithstanding paragraph five above, in the event of either:
(a) the Housesitter failing to comply with any of the terms of this agreement or that agreed of the Homeowner
(b) the Housesitter being found to be involved in any criminal activity irrespective of whether any charges have been laid by the police:
(i)The Housesitting Company reserves the right to immediately remove any Housesitter from the premises during any housesit and arrange a replacement Housesitter to occupy the premises;
(ii) The Housesitting Company is under no obligation to reimburse any fees paid to The Housesitting Company by the Housesitter
(iii) The Housesitting Company shall immediately consult the Homeowner
(iv) The Housesitting Company shall be entitled to immediately terminate this agreement;
(v) The Housesitting Company may pursue any other legal remedies available to it for the Housesitter’s breach of this agreement.
7. Where, prior to the commencement of any housesit, the Housesitter is unable to undertake the agreed housesit, the Housesitter shall contact The Housesitting Company, giving full reasons why the Housesitter is unable to do so urgently. In such circumstances, The Housesitting Company reserves the right to terminate this agreement if no reasonable explanation is forthcoming as to the non-commencement of the housesit agreed upon.
8. Alternatively, where the Housesitter commences a housesit but subsequently is unable to complete it, The Housesitting Company shall be entitled to treat this as if it was a breach of clause 6(a) of this agreement.
9. This agreement may be terminated at the sole discretion of The Housesitting Company where The Housesitting Company considers that the Housesitter is no longer able to meet the standard required to discharge its obligations as a Housesitter through The Housesitting Company. This may include, but shall not be limited to, instances where The Housesitting Company considers the Housesitter is likely to bring The Housesitting Company into disrepute. This also includes instances where The Housesitting Company feels that a Housesitter’s personal endeavours or involvement with other agencies could be considered a conflict of interest or competition to The Housesitting Company.
10. This agreement may be terminated in the instance where a Housesitter registers with The Housesitting Company but fails to complete their online Housesitter Profile within six weeks.
11. On termination of the housesit, the Housesitter shall:
(a) immediately leave the premises taking all their belongings with them
(b) leave the premises in a clean and tidy condition and remove all rubbish generated by the Housesitter
(c) return to the Homeowner all keys, remote controls and other security devices and documents provided for the Housesitter by the Homeowner for use during the term of the housesit, personally unless the Homeowner specifies otherwise.
12. The Housesitting Company is not obliged to refund any membership fees if your circumstances change or you decide you no longer wish to housesit. The Housesitting Company will consider a partial refund if there are no housesits listed in any of your registered regions within the first three months of your membership. For the Auckland region there is a minimum no refund fee of $30.00 to cover initial processing and set up costs.
