Housesitting Services - need recommendations
 

If you have had a positive experience with a service, I'd like to know about it!
Thanks -

Country ? City ?

Pardon me - I'm looking for something serving the UK.
Thanks -

Do you mean you have a home in the UK for which you want to hire a housesitter while you are away ?

Which part of the UK ? Most such services are localised.

Well, I'm not 100% sure, but I'm jsut starting to poke around Bristol and London....

So what you mean is you want to BE a housesitter , not to hire one.

yes

And where do you live ? Nationality ?

ok - let me understand this?? You 1) are American, 2) have a son in school in France, 3) have a friend contacting the US State Dept about visiting France for a week w/ you sponsoring him, 4) wonder about overstaying in the Schnegen zone - AND 5) want to be a housekeeper in <i>Bristol</i>???? (all info from your other threads)

You must lead a <u>very</u> interesting life!

redhedgurrl, What is your game? Are you looking for advice on how to live a double life, participate in underground activities, be an undocumented visitor in some country, or just take up space on this forum? I suspect the last option is the case.

Hi - no game - I just have alot going on and most of it unexpected which requires me to react instead of plan. I know I'm all over the place. I am not very experienced at any of this so every time I hear of or think of a possible solution to something, I try to find out what I can aobut it. I'm just trying to get info for my various issues. I appreciate the help I'm getting and I'm sorry for my vague requests for information -
Thank you all for the help I'm getting!

we are good listeners.
tell us what is going on and maybe we can help. you are way too vague. ask some serious questions or we will know you arent genuine.

Yes - explain more and we actually can give you reasonable advice. But all these fractured tales do sound a bit troll-ish.

For instance, if you are American, how do you propose you can work in the UK?

Have you dropped the three month RV trip around Europe this fall/winter? Or are you looking to house sit a place and park the RV in the driveway? Or is this a whole new plan? Will you still have the kids with you, although you said they will be in school in France? I can't imagine someone hiring a whole family to house sit, especially since you mentioned overstaying your visa.

And actually I think some of you are confused. This poster has posted that they have been living in Paris for a year, her kids are about to start public school in France, and she is worried about getting caught when their visa runs out. A lot of issues.

oh, sheesh - &quot;housesitter&quot; - not &quot;housekeeper&quot;

I read it but must have had a 'senior moment'. Still doesn't gibe w/ the rest of the OP's threads.

What about the dog? It needs to go into quarantine before going to the UK.

dogs from France go into quarantine before entering the UK? For how long?

Sorry - I'm way out of date. Rules changed in 1999. I just assumed the UK still had the same regulations as Australia as Australia gives leniency to animals coming from UK.

Ok, you're right. Let me explain our situation. My family and I have lived in Paris for just over a year. My husband had a job working for a french company until July 30. The end of that job was unexpected. Our Cartes de Sejour expired on Aug 15. We have to be out of our apartment in Paris by either Oct 31 or Nov 15 (Nov 15 is the date our tourist visas expire). Our home in CT is rented out through June 08, and besides, we'd like to stay in Europe longer.
The kids are now starting their 2nd year of french public school...Since we aren't 100% sure what the outcome of all this will be, we thought that would be best and also provide some structure while we figure out what we are doing.
I have a dog and 2 cats which now have their passports and are waiting for their blood test in order to start the 6 month wait for them to enter UK - IF my husband gets a job there - which looks like a strong possibility. He just got back from a good interview in Bristol and has another possiblity in London.
SO, I'm trying to either find people to take care of the animals here in Paris so the boys and I can join my husband immediately in UK (and then retrieve our animals in March) or find a way for the boys and I to stay here in Paris and wait out the quaratine.
I am also looking alternatives to renting a house or apt such as housesitting.
Originally we thought we'd go on an extended RV road trip throughout Europe until next June, but then our financial situation changed. We are not wealthy -just scraping by, but we are not adverse to winging it, taking some chances, homeschooling, whatever.
I hope this is a clear description of what is going on. I'm sorry again for the confusion. I am not a troll I promise!

So basically, your point to this particular post is that you are looking for free accommodation in the UK ?

Shouldn't the scenario be either a) your husband gets a job &amp; work permit for the UK and you pay to rent a house, or b) none of the above ?

Housesitting agencies employ people who do this as a part time job - they don't exist to provide free accommodation for people who are likely to leave the country afterwards &amp; may leave the house wrecked.

A reputable agency requires the ability to work legally in the UK, police checks and references going back several years. You may also need to be over a minimum age, like 40 or 50. And I can't imagine they'd allow children or animals.

I'm sorry if this seems harsh and I appreciate the fact that you have now been open with us about the whole situation, but I think you are being unrealistic to say the least.

I responded to a post of yours several months ago but you might not have seen it since i was the last one to add to the post.

Caretaker.org is a reputable agency for housesitting - you have to join but it is probably worth it.

But that is a US agency and doesn't actually seem to cover UK properties.

Hi - I guess it is kind of a reach to find a housesitting position that would let a family in - but I don't see any reason not to try. I'm using one service now and I've been totally upfront about the kids etc. I haven't found the right house, but I haven't gotten terribly negative response either.

Your problems are MUCH too complicated for to get my head around . . .

But if it were me, I'd cut my losses, and head back to the States while you are still legally in Europe. You likely have more of a social/family safety net back home. There is no quarantine for the pets which will solve three of your basic problems/expenses. Go home, rent a place (or move in w/ family) until your CT house is free.

I know that for some people, their desire to stay in Europe outweighs everything realistic. Yours is kind of double jeopardy because of the baggage you carry (no offense meant for the term):children and pets. And not to be a party pooper, my friend who carries both US and German passport also told me he had a &quot;good interview&quot; and most likely will get the job in Stockholm but even that was not good enough. They have to choose only 1 and he was the 3rd best, unfortunately. You also have to think that even though you are already in Paris, the company in UK still has to sponsor your husband and family for a work visa, and sometimes that puts the employer off from hiring American workers (I guess they really don't want to deal with the paperwork).You have to think about all of these and be prepared that all your plans might not work at all!!

I am with janisj.....enjoy Europe until November and go home but from the tone of your responses, your excuse of NOT going back is because your house is being rented until Jun 08. You know you can likewise rent an apartment here in the US until you can get back your house, don't you??

Thank you both for your thoughts but wow - what a bummer to even think about going back to the states! Did I mention that we really don't want this European adventure to end? ;-)

I guess the bottom line is that if you DO find an agency that will provide you a free housesitting job including you and your husband, your two kids, and three pets please let us know. I think if there is anyone here looking for someone to house sit for them in the UK, they'd want to avoid any agency that would make that kind of placement. I could be wrong.

I agree with janis and others. Go home, take a deep breath and let your children get back into some kind of rhythm. Now that you've had all this experience living in Europe, and you know you want to do it again, make a long-term plan and just do it. You may be all momentarily disappointed but that may dissipate with seeing old friends, having a good night's sleep, etc. Are there French immersion schools in the U.S.? Maybe, your kids could keep up their work by going there. Perhaps, next year, your husband and you can go back to Europe for a few weeks and scout out the best locations, attend some interviews you've arranged ahead of time, etc., check prices, schools, etc. And then you won't be making decisions with an axe hanging over your head, with pets and kids in tow.

Good luck.

(In answer to your original question, this is an agency we've used in the past - http://www.housecarers.com/. I don't really think you'll find anything here, they tend to want a single person or couple only, but you never know. The agency is really only a communication middleman, they aren't actively seeking places for you.)