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Taking care of your home

House-sitting means that you are responsible for taking care of a home while the owners of the house are away. As the house sitter, you’ll take care of the home's basic maintenance, like cleaning up etc. and also make sure that everything that needs care gets it.

For example, the owner may have plants that need to be watered and pruned from time and time. They may have a pool that needs to be covered once summer is over or cleaned out when too many leaves fall into the water. They may have a lawn that needs trimming and watering regularly or birds that need to be fed. All of the things that go with the house are your responsibility as a house-sitter. Of course, you are also responsible for making sure that the house is safe and protected from burglary or damage by outsiders.

Find responsible house-sitters, in exchange for meals and accommodation.

HOSTS

Anxious about leaving your home unattended while you are away on important business? Have you been putting off a much needed vacation just because you cannot leave your home locked up? Are you hesitant to go away for a while because you don't want to leave your well-tended garden or your beloved pets at home without someone to care for them? Hovos volunteers can help you out!

Sign up with Hovos and find a house-sitting volunteer who matches your preferences. In return for staying in your home free of charge, the volunteer will take over the responsibility of looking after your home while you are gone. Discuss what you need done and you are free to go on your vacation or your work trip without worry.

Wins from this experience

With someone in the house, making sure that it is cleaned, protected and maintained just like it needs to be, there is no need to constantly worry while you are not here. Sign up with Hovos today and start assessing volunteer profiles. Don't hesitate to drop us a line if you have any questions.

Travelers interested in housesitting

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VOLUNTEERS

Housesitting is an ideal way to travel on a budget. The work is very straightforward and access to a kitchen and free accommodation can help you minimize your travel expenses as much as possible. You will have the opportunity to stay in the home of a local, perhaps meet the neighbors and help someone out, all at the same time.

All you need to do is look for hosts who need house-sitters for their home in the location you want to visit. Connect with them and finalize your agreement and you have a home that you can use for the duration of your stay.

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Wins from this experience

All you have to do is take care of the house, just like you would do if it were your own. No need to pay and there's no need to worry about missing out on creature comforts that you would have had to forgo if you were living out of a hostel or budget hotel. Be assured that you will get everything you need to feel right 'at home'!

Hosts that need house sitters

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What is the cost to sign up as a Host or Traveler?

Traveler Membership: $10/Year This gives them full access to all hosts as well as a FREE Travel SIM. However, they can create an account for free so they can start ‘favoriting hosts’ and build their profile - but advanced features such as contacting hosts will be unavailable until they become members.

Host Membership: $0/Year It is free for hosts to sign up and they can begin contacting travelers immediately.

An additional advantage of being a member is that you become more trustworthy and therefore members will be shown first on the website. Members can build up more trust by verifying their mobile phone and passport as well.

Are you interested in different types of work?

If you’re not interested in house sitting or you need help with a different type of project, there are many other categories available. Once you sign up, you can select as many different categories as you like.

Hovos offers language practice, help with art projects, gardening, internet support, tourist support and many other options!

animal care | art projects | child care / au pair | boat handlers | charity work | child care | computer help | construction | eco projects | elderly care | farm work | forest work | hostel support | fruit picking | gardening | house sitting | help in the house | internet support | language practice | maintenance tasks | pet sitting | music practice | spiritual projects | teaching projects | tourist support