Please read the fine print before you book.
The Houseminders International service
Houseminders International Pty. Ltd. (the "Company" or "HouseMinders")
provides a service where the Company assists owners and
residents ("Owners") to locate individuals, couples
and families ("Minders") to live-in and
care for, their homes, pets and gardens when they're travelling
away from their homes, (hereinafter referred to as the "Service").
Types of Service
The Company's Services are comprised of two types
of program:
- The complete do-it-for-me service (DIFM)
This is where the Company takes a brief from the Owner,
searches and locates from its registry of Minders,
a shortlist of the candidates it believes will most
suit the owner's requirements.
- The do-it-yourself service (DIY)
This is where the Company provides to the Owner,
a list of registered Minders who have registered for assignments
in the region nearest the Owner.
For both programs, it is the role and responsibility of
the Owner, and not HouseMinders, to select the minder
to care for the Owner's home and pets.
Areas of operation
The Company operates in major population centres around
Australia. The company will accept bookings in other areas
where it believes it can assist owners in locating suitable
minders.
Overseas assignments will be catered for in the future.
Availability
The Company provides the Service for any duration of 10
days or more. Shorter assignments in certain areas
can be accommodated where there are available registered
Minders.
Long term bookings in major population centres can almost
always be catered for. For shorter assignments (ie. durations
of under 14 days) it is advisable for owners & residents
(or travel agents) to call the Company before booking to
check availability;
Owing to a shortage of Minders in some areas, the Company,
at its discretion, may decline certain bookings.
There are no minimum or maximum periods.
Homeowner/ houseminder agreement
You agree to execute a Houseminding Agreement with
your selected Minder. This agreement will detail
the terms, duration and responsibilities of the houseminding
arrangement.
For your convenience, the Company can provide you
(and your minder) with a sample HouseMinding Agreement
that sets out the responsibilities of both parties concerning
the security and care of your home and pets.
You agree that that a HouseMinding Agreement (whether or
not it is the proforma provided by the Company) is made
between you and the houseminder only and that the Company
or a third party introducer is not a party to this agreement
or any of its terms and conditions.
You agree to provide the Company with a signed copy of
this Agreement before your departure.
Bookings
Bookings for the complete DIFM service can be made by
you or by your travel agent, pet store or vet. Where
the booking is made by your agent, the person effecting
the booking shall be deemed to have accepted the booking
conditions.
The DIY service is only available directly from HouseMinders
and not through any agent.
Fees
Registration fees - Do it for me customers
A $220 fee is payable on all Do It For Me bookings.
Alternatively, a $330 fee is payable for a 12 month registration,
in which HouseMinders will help find as many minders as required
in a 12 month period, starting from the date of the first
trip.
Deposit and Payment
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is payable on all bookings.
Bookings not deposited are subject to cancellation without
notice. The balance is payable within 4 days of selection
of the houseminder by the homeowner/resident. If
for any reason your balance of payment is not received
by the due date, the Company reserves the right to treat
your booking as cancelled and to apply the appropriate
cancellation charges.
No suitable minder/cancelled booking
While the Company will exercise its best endeavours, occasionally,
we find there are no suitable minders available. In
the event that we cannot find you a suitable minder, or you
choose to cancel the booking for any reason, the $50
deposit is non-refundable. However, in the event that you
use the services of the Company again, $50 will be taken
off the price.
Changes in prices
The Company reserves the right to change its prices at
any time. Invoiced prices will be held for 30 days
only. Prices will be held for customers who have
made full payment. Full payment upon booking is recommended. |
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Upgrading from DIY to the complete
DIFM service
Any Owner registered in the DIY program can convert their membership
from DIY to the complete service on payment of the applicable
Registration fee.
Owners registered in the full service DIFM program may transfer
to the DIY Program but no refunds are payable.
Rebooking with the same houseminder(s)
Regular customers using one of the Do-It-For-Me services may
request the same houseminder as used previously and the Company
will endeavour to meet your request.
You agree not to contact or attempt to engage the same houseminder(s)
directly, but to book their services through the Company and
to pay the appropriate fee (where applicable).
Amended booking dates - prior to departure
Changes requiring a new minder
If you are forced to change your departure or return dates,
before you depart, and such a change requires the Company
to find you a new houseminder, you agree to pay
an Amended Booking fee of $50.00.
Where a new minder is required (due to illness or unavailability
of the selected minder), HouseMinders will endeavour to find
you a new minder at no charge.
Cancellations and Refunds
Should you be forced to cancel your houseminder booking
prior to departure you must notify the Company (or your travel
agent) in writing. The cancellation is not effective
until this letter (email or fax) is received either by the
Company, or your travel agent. Where cancellations have
been made in writing, the following refunds will apply:
- 60 days plus from departure date - 50% refund of total
due;
- 30 - 60 days from departure date - 25% refund of total due;
- less than 30 days from departure date - no refund.
Amended booking dates - after departure
Extensions involving the same minder
Where you wish to stay away longer (and where you need a continuation
of the houseminding arrangement) you agree to the following:
- to notify both the Company and the houseminder (by phone,
fax or email) of your revised plans and new arrival date, at
least 4 days before your original planned date of return.
- to instruct the Company to organise the extension arrangements
with the minder
- to amend (or have an authorised representative amend) the HouseMinding
Agreement to reflect the changes to the return dates and provide
the Company with a copy
- pay the Company any daily fees (if applicable) plus an
Amendment Fee of $50 to cover disbursements, such as phone and
fax costs
Extensions involving a new minder
Where you wish to stay away longer and need a continuation
of the houseminding arrangement, but where your existing minder
is not available, you agree to the following:
- to contact the Company, who will exercise its best endeavours
to find you another houseminder for the extended duration.
- to select (or have an authorised representative select) the
new minder who will care for your home.
- to complete (or have an authorised representative complete)
a new HouseMinding Agreement with the new minder
- to pay the Company, a new minder fee of $110, for the set up
of the new arrangements, plus any daily fees (if applicable).
Early return of owner
You agree not to terminate the HouseMinding Agreement or the
houseminding assignment except in the case of a medical
emergency. As such a return would have the effect
of putting the minder "out on the street", you further
agree to:
- give HouseMinders and the Minder at least 4 days written notice
of your intention to return
- accommodate the registered minder(s) for a period of up to
4 days in your home upon your return OR pay $250 towards
their accommodation expenses
- pay the Company a Cancellation fee of $110 to cover the
costs of phone, fax and making alternate minding arrangements
for your displaced houseminder(s).
There are no refunds given if you are forced to return early.
Owner representative or proxy
In the event of you needing a replacement minder (eg. through
extension of your trip or illness of your minder ) - you agree
to appoint a representative to select a minder.
The nominated representative must be an adult, be able to
perform duties such as appoint the new minder on your behalf
and to negotiate the arrangements eg. duties, bond payable, start
and end date etc.
The minders
You agree that the Minders who have registered with the Company
are independent individuals, and are neither agents nor employees
of HouseMinders or any third party introducer.
The Company introduction agency
You agree that the role of HouseMinders is that of an introduction
agency. ie. the Company introduces you to individuals, couples
and/or families who have registered with the Company with the
desire to care for people's homes and pets.
Owner/resident responsibility and indemnity
You agree that the decision to select any houseminder is yours
alone and that HouseMinders or any third party introducer (including
Medic Oncall pty. ltd.) cannot be held responsible in any way
for the conduct or actions of any minder that you may select. You
agree to hold the Company or any third party introducer (including
Medic Oncall pty. ltd.) harmless for any such action by a minder
selected by you (or your authorised representative) and to indemnify
HouseMinders or any third party introducer (including Medic
Oncall pty. ltd.) from any action brought by any minder against
you for any reason. |