House Sitters.......anyone had one?

[batey]

Just wondered, as am thinking of this for next year when we fly off to see the out-laws for 3weeks, as don't like leaving the hose empty, cat freaks out at the mere mention of the word cattery etc etc.

we once had our babysitter housesitting for two weeks - it suited her as she was in very downmarket student digs and was able to use the computer here too - we knew her well as she'd been babysitting for a year or so and she left the place immaculately clean - we paid her about £50 a week I think but she seemed to think this was too much. I think it works well if you know the person beforehand but obviously they don't guarantee security as they're not in all the time but it does make the house look more lived in.

We like to find house-sitters, because we want our two cats to be able to stay at home, rather than go to a cattery, when we go away. We know a professional housesitter who is prepared to come in once a day to feed the cats and she does so almost every time we go away (she charges 10 pounds a day for this). But we try to find housesitters to stay in the house if we are away for more than two weeks, as the cats get lonely. My dh and I are both academics, and we have several times found graduate student housesitters. We either knew them, or knew friends of theirs. I would be reluctant to advertise and can't afford a fee for a professional housesitter to live in the house. We have had only a few, minor problems, except when our house was broken into on a night when the housesitter was out very late. But that could have happened to us as easily as to her.

What would you like to know?

I have used a catsitter in the past and you might find some advertised at your local vet. One of mine was so reliable that I used her every time we went away and she became a good friend. Sometimes even the staff in vets will do outside work. I'd rather not go away than put my cats into a cattery.

We've had friends stay in our house when we've been on holiday ... but more as a favour to them. To be honest I found it hard work - as well as getting ready to go away: packing, catching up on all the little jobs, etc.; I had to sort out lists and explanations for them, change/sort out all the bedlinen, as well as making sure the place was clean and sparkling too.

Anyway we've moved now, and no-one would want to come and stay here, so it's not an issue any more

Thanks for the replies, some food for thought. Found one site where the house sitters are free, they pay a subscription to the agency! Will have to check that further.

My parents can't house/cat sit anymore as my Mum is too unwell, and feel we have exhausted our potential friends list for this.

Hi batey, try housesittersltd.co.uk, friends have used them, they specialise on house sitting places with pets.