A customer said about us:

" Thank you for your excellent service, it was our first experience of using this type of company and, fortunately for us, it was a very good one " Mrs C.S. - Essex

The Rules for Guardians

House-sitting is a mild form of (self-imposed) house arrest! You are there to protect Client's property and possessions by your presence, to keep it in proper working order and to care for pets and plants in accordance with a comprehensive brief, part written, part verbal, so that when the Client returns home, all is as it was before. Here are the Rules which makes sure it works that way; if you break them, you may be replaced. But remember, never take any action which might endanger your own health or safety, either in an emergency or in the routine execution of your duties.

  1. CARRY OUT YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES PRECISELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE "BRIEFING THE GUARDIAN" FORM (This represents Client's wishes and must not be overruled).
  2. DO NOT LEAVE THE PROPERTY UNATTENDED FOR ANY PERIOD LONGER THAN THREE HOURS DURING DAYLIGHT OR LONGER THAN THIRTY MINUTES AFTER LIGHTING-UP TIME . In the case of 24 hour cover, the property must not be left unattended at any time.
  3. LOCK UP THE PROPERTY and switch on all alarm systems whenever you leave it unoccupied, for however short a time.
  4. CARRY ONE HOUSE KEY with you at all times
  5. STAY IN RESIDENCE until you are able to hand over to the Client or to Client's representative or to another employee of The Home Service. (This applies when Client's return is delayed or when you have to be replaced for whatever reason.)
  6. WHEN A PROBLEM ARISES, OR IF YOU FALL ILL, contact Head Office immediately, using the emergency number(s) outside office hours or at week-ends.
  7. NEVER LET ANYONE INTO THE HOUSE on whatever pretext until you are completely satisfied they have a legitimate reason for being there. (This includes individuals claiming to be family members. Be particularly suspicious of pairs arriving unannounced and never let both into the house at the same time, unless there are two of you to keep an eye on each one. Accompany meter readers, etc. and stay with them until they leave).
  8. DO NOT use the Client's property or possessions for PERSONAL, SOCIAL OR BUSINESS USE of any description. (This rules out personal visitors including family members, business meetings, the use of computers (browsing the Internet, e-mails etc) or any other equipment or facilities in the property without the express permission of the Client obtained through Head Office.
  9. ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE in any form whatsoever is forbidden. (You may not consume any of the Client's alcoholic drinks, even though the Client may have offered you a free run of their cellar/drinks cabinet). SMOKING IS NEVER ALLOWED INSIDE THE CLIENT'S HOUSE.
  10. RETURN THE HOUSE to its owners in a CLEAN and TIDY condition. (But remember you are there as Guardians, not as spring cleaners, nor as animal trainers or gardeners; Do not change things to your own liking - the way it was is the way the Client likes it!).
  11. GUARDIANS WORKING ALONE on an assignment must contact Head Office every day before noon (including weekends) to confirm that "all is well".
  12. KEEP ALL INFORMATION ABOUT CLIENTS - their names, their movements, their property - STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. (The ability to be discreet is an important part of the trust we aim to build with our Clients; it is destroyed by gossip or accidental name-dropping).