FAQ
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Please take a couple of minutes to read through these FAQ's. They are essential if you hope to get the best from this site.
You can either scroll through all the questions and answers or simply click on the appropriate question below. Please also look at the page called House Sitting Explained
AOL, Hotmail and Yahoo Members
Security
Why can't I see properties or sitters?
How many houses do you have in....?
Do Owners need to actually own the property?
When do you remove house listings?
When Should I join?
How do I join?
Why do you charge?
Can I register as both an Owner and a Sitter?
When and how do I pay my fees?
When will my membership be activated?
Owners Information
Sitters Information
How will I be contacted?
Can I change my details?
Resources
Can I Earn Money From House Sitting?
Do I ask for a deposit from House Sitters?
Agreement & Information for Sitters
Do you arrange House Swaps?
AOL, Hotmail & Yahoo
These ISP have strict measures to block messages that they believe may be unwanted. Sadly this sometimes means that our members do not get the messages that we send to them
You can help. Please go to your email account and add manager@christian-housesitters.com to your address book and the list of Safe Senders. If you are unsure how to do this email us and we will guide you through the simple process.
Security.
People sometimes worry about security. Is it safe to list your house or is that an announcement to say you will be away?
We believe that we have taken every step to ensure your security.
1. On the site you list only the general location such as town and country.
Only registered members can get to see even those details
2. You do not list your actual address.
3. Even your email address is not revealed until you decide to respond to someone who sends you a message via us saying that they are interested.
4. So even if someone becomes a member until you choose to tell them the specifics all they would know is that someone in your town is going to be on holiday.
5. Finally because you are listed most people will assume that while you are away you have a house sitter looking after the property. A house sitter whose references you have checked.
Why can't I see properties or sitters?
In order to view you need to become a member.
The list of sitters is not displayed to protect their privacy
If you register as a sitters you will get to see the available properties.
Do Owners need to actually own the property?
NO! We use the term Owner to mean the lawful occupier of the property. If you do not own the property but rent it you can still register as a Home Owner so long as that is not breaking your lease terms.
How many houses do you have in....?
Hardly a day goes by without some variation on this question. It is a very difficult question to answer as the situation is constantly changing. New houses and sitters come on the site all the time and existing houses and sitters get together so they go off the site. We never know from one day to the next what is coming and what is going to be removed. For example recently we had a message from someone asking about a house in Florida. We wrote back saying that we did not have any. The very next day we got a house 5 minutes from Disney World available for 2 months. Remember your sitters membership lasts 12 months. Lots of houses will come and go during that period. As a registered sitter as soon as a new property is listed we send you an email with the details. You can then make contact with the owner.
When do you remove house listings?
If the owner notifies us that a house has been taken we remove it immediatly. We ask owners to keep us informed.
If we are not told the listing remains on the site until the end of the house sit period that the owners stipulated. So a house available until 20th Dec will be removed on 21st Dec.
When Should I Join?
If you are a House Sitter we advise you to join immediately.
If you are a House Owner please wait until you have details about when your house will be available before joining.
How do I join?
Click on the REGISTER link on the left.
That will take you to a page where you select if you want to join as a Sitter, an Owner or Both.
If you select Sitter or Both it will transfer you to the secure payment page and then once you have paid the £25 annual fee you will be transfered back to a page where you can select a password and tell us a little about yourself.
Once these details are received we will activate your membership.
If you select Owner it will transfer you to a page where you can select a password and tell us a little about yourself.
Owners (and those who select Both) will then receive an email asking for the details of your property. Once these are received we will activate your membership.
Why do you charge?
In addition to providing Free Holidays we also seek to support the work of Home of Peace Children's Home in Kenya. 100% of all our income goes to this Christian Children's Home. See details on our Kenya page (Click here)
If anyone has a genuine financial problem they are invited to email us and we will set up a special arrangement for the fee to be paid in a couple of instalments.
Can I register as both an Owner and a Sitter?
Yes. There is absolutely no problem. You will find this option on the registration form.
NOTE While we have our special offer of free membership to Owners your dual membership will only cost the £25 Sitters fee.
When and how do I pay my fees?
When you register as a Sitter or as both a sitter and an owner
Payment is received by Paypal via their secure service. You can use either your Paypal account or any credit / debit card to make the payment. You do NOT need to join Paypal.
When will my membership be activated?
This is normally very fast. As soon as we receive your details and confirmation of your membership fee being paid (if appropriate) we activate your membership and send you an email confirming activation.
If you do not receive this within 12 hours please email us as something has gone wrong.
Owners
You will be contacted by email shortly after you register. We will request details of your property. As soon as these are received your membership will be activated
Please do not join until you are ready to supply details of the property for which you want a sitter.
Please do not join until you are ready to supply the details and dates.
GENERAL: When you receive replies to your advertised house please acknowledge them. Even if only to say that you will be making your decision when you have received all the responses.
Once the house sit is agreed please inform us so we can remove the house details from the site. Otherwise other potential sitters will continue applying. This wastes both their time and yours.
Sitters:
PERSONAL INFO: Please give the owners a good idea about you and why you believe that you would be a good choice to look after their house and pets. The box for adding your information may look small but just keep typing. You are not limited in length.
How Will I Be Contacted?
We protect your privacy.
We have therefore set up a very secure system.
When sitters logins in they will see details of all listed houses. Below each entry is a button.
When you click that button we send an email saying that you are interested.
The other party gets your email address and it is up to them to contact you directly.
How can I change my listed details?
All you need to do is send us the details you want changed and we will make the change for you. You can use the contact link in the menu.
Can I Earn Money From House Sitting?
No. We do not allow our sitters to charge. Your reward is a free holiday. Any sitter discovered trying to charge fees for sitting will have their membership cancelled.
Resources:
This page has a range of Christian resources Feel free to browse and use them.
Note the content is not supplied by CHS so is outside of our direct control. If you ever see something that you feel is inappropriate please use our contact form to let us know.
Agreement & Information for Sitters:
Both parties are strongly advised to read these pages in order to protect yourself and ensure that the house sit runs smoothly. See the link in the menu on the top left of this page to Suggested Agreement.
Do I ask for a deposit from House Sitters?
NO! This is a Christian site and all members are Christians. Most our members are in Christian work and could not afford to pay a deposit. As Christians we need to be sensible, check refrerences and enter an agreement (See link on the top left of this page to Suggested Agreement) but then we also need to trust each other.
Do you arrange House Swaps?
No we don't but if you register as a sitter and an owner you can mention in your profile that you would prefer a direct swap. This will be displayed with your details. We have found that it is often better not to limit yourself to a direct swap. You can have someone look after your house and you in turn can find a house to look after without it necessarily being a direct swap.
You have the freedom to decide.