Hiring a house-sitter has an added, cost-effective bonus if you have pets, because looking after your dog and cat can be an integral part of the deal. This service is offered by many of the UK's leading house-sitting agencies, which means your cherished pets get to stay in familiar surroundings rather than go to catteries or kennels.

Why use a house-sitter?
In addition to deterring burglars, squatters and vandals and providing a friendly carer for your pets, hiring a house-sitter can score you points with your home insurance cover provider and may even reduce your home contents insurance premiums. This is because the presence of an approved house-sitter quite literally keeps your home lived in, avoiding the risk of weather damage like burst pipes during cold weather months.

For the absent owner, the knowledge that their home will be aired, plants watered and garden maintained can provide enormous peace of mind.

How to find a house-sitter
House-sitting agencies offer a range of live-in caretaking services and either directly recruit and vet employees or refer you to self-employed individuals. The UK's largest agency, Homesitters.co.uk, has a vast network of approved house-sitters for long and short stays nationwide, including people who are experienced in looking after animals and taking care of gardening.

All employees have to be fit and undergo strict background checks. You are able to supply as comprehensive a brief as you wish regarding your house rules and key tasks you require and employees are under the company's direction to ensure all goes to plan.

Other leading agencies include Minders-keepers.co.uk, and specialist outfits like Animal Aunts, which has a team of over 450 professional house-sitters who are selected for their experience in caring for animals. As well as looking after cats and dogs, Animal Aunts are able to look after horses, donkeys and cattle, feed chickens and care for all animals big and small.

All reputable agencies seek to match sitters and clients according to their requirements. So if you've got a chatty pet parrot, or a vast garden that needs to be tended and mowed, the agency will try to select someone with the most relevant experience.

How much?
Most agencies charge by the day, with fees calculated by the number of daily tasks and the type of pet that needs caring for, if applicable, plus a small daily food expenses allowance for the sitter and travel expenses to and from your home. As a guide price, Homesitters charges £38 per day plus VAT for a sitter who will care for a pet dog, plus £7 daily food allowance and travel expenses.

Insurance-wise
You should inform your home contents insurance provider that you have appointed a house sitter and negotiate your premiums accordingly. Also ensure that your policy is up to date and all high value items are specified to make sure that you are covered for any accidental damage.

Check your insurance policy details too; with MORE TH>N Home Insurance, if you leave your home unoccupied for more than 60 consecutive days, let it to anyone or use your home or contents for trade, professional or business purposes, some covers will be restricted and some will not apply.

MORE TH>N is the direct financial services arm of RSA. It offers car insurance, breakdown cover, home, pet, cheap life insurance and travel insurance by phone and via the internet. It also offers uk landlord insurance, office, shop, business car, property, hotels, club, contractor and van insurance quotes direct to small businesses.

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