Interviewing your house minder

When you receive our shortlist of potential candidates it is important that you interview them.

Here’s a sample of things you may ask;

• Why do you want to mind our home?
• What references could you give us?
• Why are you interested in houseminding?
• Have you been responsible for your own or someone else’s home previously?
• Have you had a houseminding assignment before?
• What do you think your responsibilities would be as a houseminder?
• What appeals to you about minding our home?
• What doesn’t appeal to you?
• Tell me about your experiences with pets?
• What are you like with plants and gardens?
• Tell me a little about yourself?
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
• Are there any aspects of our requirements that you feel you can’t meet?
• Are you prepared to lodge a bond as a sign of good faith?
• Are you prepared to sign a houseminding agreement setting out the terms and responsibilities of both parties? Sample
• How flexible are you on the finish date in case we return early / late?

Deciding on a Minder

If you are happy with the potential houseminder offer them the assignment.

Discuss and come to an agreement on duties, responsibilities, bills and the dates of departure and arrival.

Complete a written agreement of the terms of the arrangement between you and the minder. Most problems arise when the minder and the owner have different levels of expectation which is why a document or letter signed by both parties agrees to what the terms are.

Inform us immediately about whom you have selected and what timing arrangements you have made so we can update our database but also give the minder other opportunities outside your set dates.