How to travel minus the expense of accommodation
<p dir="ltr">Believe it or not, according to news.com.au. there’s a happy band of holiday-makers who travel far and wide and rarely pay for their accommodation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The costs of a week-long holiday in New Zealand, even staying in an Airbnb or locally-owned house, can quickly add up. Yet one Australian couple Christopher Ojala and Andrew Redfern have done it three times, all without paying a cent for accommodation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Aussies are house-sitters, who have travelled across New Zealand, the US, the UK and Mexico, all by way of caring for strangers’ homes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“House-sitting gives you a completely different perspective, compared to going somewhere as just a tourist,” says Mr Ojala, who also manages the 17,000-strong Facebook group ‘House sitting worldwide’.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“You get to see new places from a local’s perspective.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Most house sits aren't about the houses at all, rather, they're pet-sits in someone else's home. </p>
<p dir="ltr">As it's a win-win situation for both parties and money rarely changes hands.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Instead, it's a system built on trust between strangers which is also why the house-sitting community thrives in New Zealand, in particular.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“In New Zealand, people trust other people much more than in a lot of other countries,” says Mr Ojala.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“It's no big deal for people to have strangers in their homes. Whereas in the US, you almost have to go through multiple police checks just to be eligible to be considered.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">In addition to sharing their homes, they're also eager to introduce guests to other facets of their lives, so they're able to truly live like a local.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Still, house-sitting's biggest sell might be its affordability — but it's not just an activity for the broke backpacker set.</p>
<p dir="ltr">According to Nick Fuad, founder of Kiwi House Sitters, roughly 25% of house-sitters on the platform are over the age of 60.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It's also a budget-friendly vacation option for families, particularly during holiday periods when campgrounds are booked-out and hotels charge peak seasonal rates. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Originally from Canada, Ms Mcallister met her future partner when she was house-sitting on the South Island.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Since moving to Dunedin and settling down, she hasn't given up her favourite way to explore the country. Now, she takes her partner and his 6-year-old son along on her adventures.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"It's a beautiful way to be able to travel," Ms Mcallister says.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The couple regularly house sit in Queenstown and Wānaka and have even done a beachside house sit during school holidays in their home city.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For her partner's son, the location doesn't matter.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"He just thinks it's somewhere different. There are different toys and it makes it a fun kind of holiday," she says.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ultimately, caring for other people's pets is a serious commitment and house sitting isn't for everyone.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But those who do it, tend to love it so much that they almost don't want anyone else to know about it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"My partner, is like, 'You shouldn't be telling anyone about this," says Ms Mcallister, laughing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It's a secret she wants to share, though: "House-sitting can open up doors for world travel that you would have never imagined."</p>
<p dir="ltr">How to get started as a house-sitter in New Zealand</p>
<p dir="ltr">House-sitting positions are typically advertised on platforms such as TrustedHousesitters.com, HouseCarers.com, but KiwiHouseSitters.co.nz is by far the most active house sitting site in New Zealand.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Regardless of what platform you choose, expect to pay around $NZ85 to $NZ150 per year.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you're not willing to pony up the membership fee, gigs are also posted on the House Sitting New Zealand Facebook group.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Once you've found a potential house, set up a virtual or in-person meeting with the homeowners and their pets.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At the very minimum, speak on the phone so that both parties have the opportunity to ask any questions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Do your homework before you just jump in," advises Mr Ojala.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Don't have any experience? Don't worry.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In lieu of house-sitting references, offer to supply personal or professional referees or a police clearance.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Even without references, your services will be sought-after if you plan to house sit over a school holiday period.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A quick scan of KiwiHouse sitters.co.nz reveals upcoming holiday sits ranging from a three-week stay in the Mackenzie region at a sprawling country home with an in-ground pool, to a little closer to home, where there's a five-day sit at an artist's house in Titirangi, complete with use of kayaks.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Remember: Love of animals is a must "House sitting" is a bit of a misnomer, it should really be called "pet-sitting".</p>
<p dir="ltr">Very rarely will you see a posting for homes without animals, although the level of time you'll devote to taking care of pets can vary.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Be sure to ask homeowners about daily routines and responsibilities, as well as how long they're comfortable for their pets to be left alone.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you envision long days spent at the beach or in nearby art galleries, bypass the horses and dogs, and look for a cat instead.</p>
<p><em>Image: Getty </em></p>
