Who do I contact to offer occasional cash work for a retired lady
My husband and I are looking for a lady who would like to earn some cash to supplement their pension from time to time.
We need a house sitter who would look after two international students and a dog while we are away. She needs to have her own car.
Who would be the best organision to contact?
Please respond with ideas for whom we should contact.
Thanks.
I've used Airtasker twice and was very happy with them.
Choice have a good article on house sitting at
https://www.choice.com.au/travel/accommodation/homestays/articles/house-sitting-agencies-guide
They also list some of the Australian house-sitting agencies available online.
.... "onya" RnR - you always come up with cool info. :-)
:) Thanks Foxy LOL.
Please, please , please - DO NOT use Air tasker! I am a house sitter and have heard - and actually seen one - of some absolute horror stories. You do not know WHO you will get! I use 2 web based House Sitting Groups, where you can check a sitters history, references, reviews, etc.
I am registered with Trusted House Sitters, and Aussie House Sitters, with 5 star ratings. I also do private sits through word of mouth, and have run an AirBnB of my own so I know what is entailed.
I would love to be able to help you out as I fill your criteria, but don't know where you are....
Yes SunnyOz, we use those two House Sitting Organizations, so far so good. We have had a Phd Student in his 40s, a mature lady in her 50s and recently a mature lady in her 60s. Each time has been for a couple of months. But one has to be well organized and book them months in advance as the good sitters are fully booked sometimes for a year ahead. One can be lucky and get a cancellation that is what happened recently to friends.
Yes SunnyOz, we use those two House Sitting Organizations, so far so good. We have had a Phd Student in his 40s, a mature lady in her 50s and recently a mature lady in her 60s. Each time has been for a couple of months. But one has to be well organized and book them months in advance as the good sitters are fully booked sometimes for a year ahead. One can be lucky and get a cancellation that is what happened recently to friends.
We have been housesitting and petsitting for6 years fulltime, except when we go for our own holiday overseas or go back home for a while.We use Aussie house sitters and Mindahome both sides are exelent . Yes the good sitters are usually booked long in advance.Give it a go and check out the websites.
If you are in the market for a house sitter I have to assume that you are frequently 'away'.
Why then would you 'volunteer' to host internationanl students in homestay arrangements? And if the students are anything but children in high school, (who you absolutely shouldn't be leaving in the first place especially with an known sitter), why can't they look after themselves AND your dog? You could even forgo the maney the student's pay instead of having to pay a sitter.
Just asking.
KSS
No we are not frequently away. You have no idea of our circumstances and I am offended by your reply.
If you have nothing to offer do not bother responding to mine or anyone elses requests for information.
Cheer up!
Ouch! ... weird n wonderful "name change" BTW?? :)
Whoa Nurse! Calm your jets!
You posted the question, I responded from the perspective of someone who worked in International education and student homestays for over 25 years. Like I said, adult international students are more than capable of looking after themselves (and any pets) for a short time (if it is a short time) just like any Australian adult student would be. So no need for a sitter. You could even reward them by not charging the homestay fee for the period you are away.
And if they are school children they should not be left with a sitter unknown to either you or them under any circumstances for any length of time. You have no idea whether that unknown sitter has had the appropriate police checks never mind whether they are reliable, honest and will actually do the dog walking and looking after the students.
You have overlooked the critical element that people who register as homestay families for International students are required toi undergo working with children police checks (particularly if they are willing to take under 18 year olds). If you did not do that then I would be questionning the college or agency you get students from. It also means you simply cannot just get ányone'to look after your students while you are away.
The fact that you did not voice any of this information is a matter for you. And, in case you missed it, I did say it was just a question, and one you seem reluctant to answer.
To sunnyoz,
Thanks for your replies and the help and suggestions of those who responded.
My wife and I house sat for 2 years (still going actually) and it's extremely rare to see positions that include looking after people, over 99% would be looking after pets only or just the house and again I'd say in 98% of cases no money changes hands.
I guess my point is a house sitting website maybe not be what you're looking for - to look after people and pay someone seems to be not really house sitting. Having said that I don't know where you could go but don't be surprised if you have trouble finding someone on those house sitting sites.
Further, I'd be careful using Air tasker, the people offering services can just be anyone and everyone, soemone after a quick buck, no care and no responsibility.
Greg - agree with your comments, particularly about Airtasker who are only doing it for the money. Most if not all genuine House Sitter sites - as those noted above - strictly stipulate that NO funds are to change hands. On one of the sites I am on, a recent home owner stated they wanted the house sitter to pay - the ad was pulled down as soon as admin were notified. Once any money changes hands, the whole 'house sitter' status changes.
Also, one of the sites I am on clearly states that as soon as the home owner charges a sitter any money, this voids the home owners insurance and becomes a lease arrangement. I do special minding of horses and injured animals, on their property, and owners do pay me - gladly so, as it is so hard to find the right care. And that was only through word of mouth through my horse owner friends.
Looking after students, and an Airbnb, agree - could not be done for nothing. Yes, there are plenty of places you could advertise, but getting the RIGHT person? - may not be easy. You would get just anyone, only interested in the money side, not the care side.
The other problem with renting out part of your house whether it is Airbnb or students is that it is taxable which a lot of people are not aware of, which could land them in a lot of problems and possible fines from ATO.
Another option is to sign up for the Grey Nomads site and post a thread there. You can always check out a person from references. I have no link with the site etc.
Airtasker .................I know people who have used them for all kinds of weird n wonderful things! :-)
Googe them and take a look at their site ..........
...or the "old way" stick an ad. in your Local paper maybe ....