Does a house sitter like this exist?

[JustPoppingToWaitrose]

I have an opportunity to work overseas every few months for 4 weeks at a time. I have a dog. I also have a beautiful flat in the centre of London. Sorry, not bragging, just painting a picture.

I am wondering if it is possible that someone would like to come and housesit for me and look after my dog. They would have use of my flat, no rent, no bills, they would have a parking space and use of my car if they wanted.

Is this a good deal or am I deluded? Does such a person exist? I imagine someone who would like to occasionally spend time in London. But it would have to be when I am working overseas. And they would have to look after my dog properly.

Where would I find such a person? Is there a website? Has anybody on here had such an arrangement and could advise me? Thanks.

There is a firm called something like Housesitters uk (?) who do this. I have a friend who has used them.

Are you expecting someone to house sit and dog sit without paying them? It seems unlikely for someone to agree to do that on dates to match your needs without pay.

You can advertise in The Lady for someone to do this

There is a website: www.housesitters.co.uk

It looks like they offer in house dog sitting service as well.

I have not used it. Not sure if there is a charge.

I don’t know about websites advertising such a service, but I would have thought you’d be inundated with applicants! I would jump at it myself as I love dogs - but no longer have one - and I would love to stay in London every now and again

There is a website called Trusted Housesitters that offers this very thing - not used it myself but hoping to in the future when we retire.

Failing that borrowmydoggy might be worth a punt, we have a lovely lady who comes and looks after our dog when we used to be able to go away.

If you know well in advance when you will be away you might be able to do a house swap. My sister has travelled all over the world doing this.
You don't always have to do direct swaps

I, too, would have thought you'd have people falling over themselves to do this!

Posted too soon. You can offer your place and amass points to be used against a property at a later date.

A friend of mine does exactly this, through a website (possibly the house sitter one others have mentioned)

It's a great deal, and you'll definitely find someone through housesitter!

Do you pay to house sit?

I know someone who used to do house/pet sitting via this website - Animal Aunts www.animalaunts.co.uk/

My friend used to do exactly this when she was a student. She did it for several of her Mother’s friends. So it was all arranged through word of mouth.
I’m afraid they did pay her as well as all the perks you mention. Best ‘job’ she ever had!

www.vps-guardians.co.uk

I went to uni in London and never paid a penny in rent I registered with property guardians it was amazing

My aunt did Animal Aunts for quite a few years, she really enjoyed it. She was splitting up with my uncle and it gave her somewhere to live on her own without him making a fuss (yes v sad but she’s divorced him now & happy living on her own).

How much are you paying? I might be interested!

I used to be on housecarers.com for exactly this sort of placement. I'm sure you'll have plenty of candidates!

You’ll find someone but I doubt it would be the same person each time unless by some miracle they have an identical schedule to you or literally no commitments of their own.

I think it would be safer to go through a website which screens people or offers references.

I'm not an "official" house sitter but id be up for it :) looking to move into London later this year for a change.

Yes. I used to do this. My jobs were mostly through people recommending me to one another.

Like a PP, I would suggest advertising in The Lady or housesitters.co.uk

A university student living at home would be keen for this, that's where we always get our house sitters from, work colleagues kids mainly.

You might get different people each time? Could you really entrust your dog to strangers?

It would need to be someone who is home mostly, as my dog doesn’t like to be left alone.