House sitting has been a wonderful journey for us, it has allowed to stay in some of the most beautiful homes in the UK and Ireland. However our favourite part has been looking after some of the most wonderful animals and spending time exploring our new surroundings with them.
We are The Travelling House Sitters or other known as Jayden & Brittnay, a New Zealand & Aussie couple. We begun our house sitting journey in London where we were living at time. We both had dreamt of driving across Europe in a van while house sitting along the way. House sitting in London was our first step to relisingg this dream.
After two exciting years in London, we moved across the pond to Dublin. Wanting to build upon our references we secured some two month long house sits. This was a lovely way to integrate ourselves in a community quickly. Before we moved over what we didn't realise was that these house sitters were in the most affluent areas of Dublin, so having a castle on side and Bono around the corner quickly became the norm.
After three months later and four house sits done and dusted, we set off from Ireland, destined for Thailand. We have pieced together some of our most memorable moments. We have also included some tips from our guide how to become a housesitter.
You will also see that house sitting is not only about the money you can save, it's the locals you meet, the knowledge you gain and the relationships you build.
Some of our Favourite House Sits
House near the Bullocks Habour
While we were still in London, we had a Skype conversation with a lovely Australian couple who were off to France for three weeks. The couple needed someone to look after their elderly lab Roxy and eight-bedroom mansion. When we arrived and ushered through the big gates. We meet Roxy, the most relaxed dog in Dublin, who only required a walk up and down the driveway every second day.
With castles next door, beautiful harbours and beaches, Dalkey was a lovely area to live, we weren't surprised when we learnt that Bono lived around the corner.
Home in Country of Enfield
We had chosen to do some house sitting before immersing ourselves in Dublin. An hour west of the big city, down a quiet country lane, it where we found our next sit. It was a complete change from the hustle and bustle of London, however, we were delighted. The Dutch couple had built themselves a stunning hidden cottage with no neighbours or busy roads for miles. It had a gorgeous Scandinavian aesthetic, sleek and modern yet snug.
We looked after their two Siamese cats, two Scottish terriers & two chickens. The dogs warmed to us right away and were happy to cuddle with us on the sofa of an evening. The cats took a day or two however, once we realise that they loved to play fetch with a small toy rat, we were all best friends. Only being one week it was over too quickly and we were off to the big city for our next adventure.
Some of Our Top Tips For House Sitting
Getting Started
The hardest part is getting that all important first good review. The more good reviews you have the more likely someone is to hire you. If you don’t have any house sitting references you might need to get creative. Use Airbnb references, a character reference from a boss or even a professional reference. Every little bit helps!
Police Checks
Police checks are the ultimate peace of mind for homeowners. If you have never obtained a police check before they are usually free and really easy to get your hands on - just get in touch with your local police or countries Justice Department. This could also push you towards the top of the pile and gives your homeowners some piece of mind.
Apply, Apply, Apply!
Once you have signed up, start applying for houses sits in your desired area. You need to be prompt and stand out with your applications. Don’t send a generic copy and paste application. Show the homeowner you have read their listing and you really understand their needs.
Get Accredited
For the most part, you will be looking for someone's pride and joy. We recommend attending a pet first aid course. It can help to ensure you are prepared for any situations. Generally, they are a one day course and only cost around $50. It can also give you an edge when you are amongst 25 other applicants for that housesit at a beachfront villa in Bali.
As you can see house sitting has provided us with an amazing connection to Ireland. We have firm friendships (human and animals) and discovered places we would have never had had even dreamt existed. We would recommend house sitting to anyone who is looking to save some money, up for an adventure or would just love an animal to snuggle up with in the evenings.
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