HouseMinders

Common questions

Below we answer the questions most frequently asked by home-owners and residents.

References/Police Checks

Do houseminders have references?
It is a condition of registration that all minders have first class references - both written and verbal.  As not all minders have minded houses before, we accept candidates with good personal and professional references.  Homeowners and residents are invited to call any offered referee.

Do houseminders have police checks?
While it is not required that minders have police checks, it is highly recommended. If you wish, you can ask for a minder with a police clearence.

Agreement

Is there a written agreement available?
For the security and convenience of both parties, it is strongly recommended that both homeowner and houseminder sign a written agreement setting out the arrangements. e.g. start & finish dates, bond, pet responsibilities, house duties, bill payments etc.  We can supply you with a proforma Houseminding Agreement, at no charge.  Please note that HouseMinders is not party to this agreement - the agreement is between the homeowner (or resident) and the houseminder.
Sample

Decision and responsibility

Who makes the decision to appoint the houseminder?
Houseminder's role is one of an introduction agency.  The choice of houseminder(s) is solely that of the homeowner or resident.  HouseMinders accepts no responsibility and makes no endorsement, warranty or representation as to the bona fides, qualifications or credentials of any houseminder registering with us.

Bond

Does the houseminder pay a bond?
It is sensible and prudent to negotiate the payment of a bond by the houseminder.  This should be enough to cover you against any accidental breakage and the use of phone and other utilities.  When a suitable bond is negotiated we recommend the following arrangements be made:

  • A valid receipt should be produced
  • Homeowner & houseminder should agree who will hold the funds (usually the owner/resident)
  • Homeowner and houseminder should agree under what circumstances the funds will be returned.   The terms of the return of bond should be set out in the Agreement
  • Both parties should agree whether utility bills are to be separately paid, or subtracted from the bond

Pets

Can we insist on a minder who likes pets?
Yes.  This is a common, but important question.  We have many houseminders who particularly request assignments with pets.  Be assured, if you are a dog or cat lover, we'll have someone ideal to care for your pet.  Just make sure you specify the type of person you want and fill in the details about your pets on the Registration form.

The minders who register with HouseMinders are responsible people - singles, couples and families - with good references, who will care for your pets as if they were their own.

Advantages over other services

There are other companies offering pet services.  Why use Houseminders ?
Our company offers these important benefits:

  • Live-in services
    We are the only national company to provide both a DIY and a complete live-in house and petminding service.
  • Choice of minders
    We deliver a number of pet lovers that meet your requirements, but you get to select the petlover of your choice
  • Peace of mind
    A secure home and convenience come at no extra charge to homeowners wanting a pet minder.
  • Pets in their own environment-
    Unlike boarding kennels and catteries, your precious companions are not locked in a cage, to be released once per day if they're lucky.  With Houseminders they remain in the security and familiarity of their own environment.
  • No innoculations (shots)
    Boarding kennels and catteries insist that your pets be up-to-date in their immunisation shots. This is not a Houseminders requirement.
  • A better diet for your pets
    Boarding kennels and catteries don't provide the pet food you provide at home.  With Houseminders you don't need to worry - your houseminder will feed your pets the food that you specify. 
  • Cheaper costs
    Boarding kennels and catteries can charge from $15 to $20/day.  For all but the shortest of trips, Houseminders is a far cheaper proposition.

What advantages does Houseminders have over casual pet services?

There are several advantages:

  • Using a casual service is often a sign that your home is unattended
  • With a casual service, your pet is just one of many on a run where the feeder is doing his/her rounds.  With Houseminders the minder is concerned only with your pet(s).
  • If your pet becomes ill, your houseminder can care for your animal and take it to the vet

Gardens and pot plants

Can we request a minder with a love of gardens?
We have many "greenthumbs" - minders who particularly request assignments with a garden.  Just make sure you specify that your ideal minder should be a "keen gardener" when you complete the registration form.

Insurance

Will my insurance be valid while I am away?
Most insurance companies will void your Home Contents Policy if you leave your home unattended for over 3 weeks.  Fortunately, this situation can be averted if you place a houseminder in your home.  However, you must notify your insurance company.  Check your policy.

Does my Home Buildings Policy cover us against injury of the houseminder?
Most Home Buildings Policies cover the owner/resident in the case of third party injury.  This applies to visitors, tradespeople and postmen as well as to minders.  You should check with your insurance company as to your specific level of cover.

Security

Does the houseminder remain in the house all or most of the time?
Most minders have jobs and will come and go as you would.  However, if you prefer someone who will be around much of the time, you should nominate your preference for a "homebody".  Examples of minders who spend a greater amount of their time at home: students or lecturers, retirees, writers and couples /families with a non-working spouse.

Duration

Does HouseMinders provide minders for absences of any duration?
Almost.  We have a comprehensive database of registered minders that allows us to cater for homeowners and residents who are away from their homes for 3 weeks through to three years. We have a smaller pool of available minders for shorter assignments.  Please call or email us to see if we can help. 

 


Utilities

Who pays for electricity, gas and phone?
The general rule of thumb is that the houseminder pays for all utilities.  While this is a matter of individual choice, many owners/residents concern themselves with reimbursement of phone bills only, particularly, on shorter assignments. 

Whatever the arrangement decided upon, the agreed arrangements should be written into the Houseminding Agreement.  On longer assignments, Telstra, Optus and the relevant gas and electricity authorities, can assist with temporary accounts and interim billing arrangements.

Houseminder belongings

Do houseminders bring their own belongings?
Usually not.  Most minders expect that the home will be furnished.

Do houseminders have their own pets?
Occasionally.  These minders want minding assinments with owners who have pets.  Owners should decide whether this is an issue for them.

Computers and email

Do minders wish to bring their own laptop computer to an assignment?
Increasingly, yes.  Many minders have laptop computers and many require email facilities.

Equipment failure/unexpected events

What arrangements do we make for repairs etc?

In any home things can go wrong, washing machines break down or the plumbing fails.  It is strongly recommended that the  owner /resident does the following:

  • leaves the minder with a list of preferred tradesman;
  • arranges for any trades work to be billed directly to the owner/ resident.                               OR
  • comes to an agreement with the houseminder for the minder to pay any such bills and be reimbursed upon the owner's return.   OR
  • leaves a contingency find with a neighbour or friend that can be accessed in the event of a mishap.


Why not just rent out my property?

Generally speaking, unless you're going for an extended trip, leasing out your place is hardly worth the trouble.

  • There is little rental demand - most agents are not interested in any rental arrangement of less than 6 months.
  • If you need flexibility on your return dates, tenancy leases are expensive to change.  (Particularly when compared to our service - where some minders can be flexible to changes in your plans).
  • Tenants won't take your pets - and selling or giving away pets can be traumatic.  As noted above, boarding them is expensive.

Off limits areas

Is it common to mark a part of the home off limits?
Some owners choose to lock away certain items in a spare bedroom, or part of the garage, leaving the rest of the home to be used by the houseminder.

Early termination or extensions

Can the houseminder terminate the minding assignment before I return?
No.  The houseminder that you select contracts through the signed agreement to complete the assignment.  Any minder who abandoned an assignment (this has never happened) would be barred from future assignments .

Where an emergency - such as chronic illness - might prevent a minder completing the assignment - Houseminders offers owners a houseminder replacement plan. 

Houseminder replacement plan
This is a back-up facility for complete service customers only  (although DIY customers can transfer to the complete service on paying the appropriate fee).  The facility operates as follows:

  • the owner nominates (in writing) a proxy to select the replacement minder
  • HouseMinders exercises its best endeavours to find you a shortlist of replacement minders (at no charge except for disbursements such as phone and fax costs)
  • The proxy selects your replacement minder

Can the owner terminate the arrangement prior to the expiry of the arrangement?
No.  The homeowner/resident also contracts through a signed agreement to allow the minder to stay for the time specified in the agreement.

Where an emergency was to force the early return of the owner, the owner needs to acknowledge that this would have the effect of putting the minder "out on the street."  Accordingly, it is reasonable to expect the owner to accommodate the minder(s) for up to a week (or pay them a sum of say $200) to help them while they find alternative accommodation.

In these circumstances, Houseminders would also exercise its best endeavours to assist the minder in finding an alternate assignment. 

Can the agreement be extended?
Where the owner wishes to stay away longer, we liaise with the minder(s) to see if they are willing to stay on.

If they agree, we can arrange for the HouseMinding Agreement to be amended to reflect the changes.  This will need to be amended by both the minder and the owner (or authorised owner's representative).

Where the houseminder cannot extend, Houseminders can also assist.  We would exercise our best endeavours to find you another houseminder.  However, we would require someone to act as your proxy in appointing that minder for the extended duration.