House sitting question?

Question

A friend of mine is off to Florida for 6 months or so. She first asked if I wanted to move in and I would just have to pay for gas and hydro. How much would that be a month? Regardless of whether or not I move in. I am going to have to check up on her house 2-3 times a week. I will get her mail and do routine checks...and drive her car. I don't mind doing this at all...we are very close but do you think I should be getting paid for what I am doing? Is she given me a good deal if I move in. If I don't take the offer to move she is going to have to pay the bills regardless each month. I hope this make sense. I have already looked after her house before for 3 months in the past.

Thanks for the answers. Yeah...I am not sure if I have to pay cable and phone as well. That might be expensive...I will have to check with her. I am right now back at home and I live mainly by myself. My dad is home 2 days out of week. My mother just passed away 2 years ago and I miss my freedom and sometimes think it might be nice to get out of my father's hair and move on with my own life. I am only working P/T right now so it might be expensive. I am confused and just don't know what to do. Any suggestions? Maybe I can try it for a month or two. I just don't what to get in a bind if I can't pay. I am 26 and this friend is like a mom she's in her late 40's.

Answer 1

i did this for my sister for a couple of weeks, moved in to her house. She had 3 cats that I had to feed and they pooped all over her house. I don't house sit for her anymore.

I guess if you didn't have to worry about cleaning up poop and vomit then it wouldn't be so bad. Also, she didn't give me any money, but she did fill the refrigerator with steaks and chicken.

Answer 2

Well, if you're that good of friends, why should she pay you? And, as for the bills. Yes she would have to pay them, but if no one is using them, she has no bill. She is also letting you use her car. So if its easier to move in for 6 months rather than spend all that money in gas to check on the house often, then you should pay for the bill you're using. Sounds to me like you're getting a pretty good deal to just pay for the things that you use, and it also helps her out.

Look at it this way, its like saying shouldn't she pay for the gas in her car.... Well, if you're using it, and using her gas she put in, why would she pay for something that if you didn't use would have been there when she got back. Right? If you use it, just pay for it. Find out what her average is on the bills and see if the cost in gas would be cheaper or just moving in would be.

Answer 3

If your friend has offered you to move in for free and you don't have to pay anything, but gas and hydro, then no she should not pay you. Do you know how much money you will be saving in rent and bills, car payment and car insurance. She is doing you a bigger favor since you are not going to have to worry for any bills or rent.
My advice to you is whatever money you are getting (if you are working save it) Do not see it as a house sitting thing. See it more as an investment. In 6 months you are going to invest your time to sit someone's home and not have to worry about any financial responsibility. And on top of that you are going to be using her car. I mean if you don't take upon her offer. I will.
See it as a one in a life time opportunity to save money and still have a home, car and a stress, financial free lifestyle.

My best regards and good luck!

Answer 4

What is your living situation now? Will you still be responsible for your own utilities and rent at your own home? If you are not having to pay rent/mortgage or your own utilities by moving in to her house, you should not get paid. You would be living rent free for 6 months. If, however, you still have your own bills to pay, she should pay you something and take care of her own utility bills. I cannot answer your gas and hydro question, though. I do not know where you live.

Answer 5

Well, in my opinion, if you are good friends, and it would save you the rent/give you space from your parents, if you move in to her house, i think it is a good deal. i think it's only fair that you pay for the bills if you live there, and it would nice to both of you. however, if it is a trouble for you to move in there and/or take care of the house, and it isn't something that you benefit at all, you should consider whether you wanna do it or not. don't charge her for it, i think that would be rude, and if you feel it's too much trouble then just say this to her and that's it, she would understand, if it's OK to do as a friend then do it free of charge.

Answer 6

I think you should do it if you don't have a place to live now. That way you can save up some money. Gas and electric shouldn't be too bad. But if you have a place to live, then whats the point. If she lives far from you, you definetlry should be getting paid, if she lives across the street and she is a good friend then so what.

Answer 7

If you're not paying anything except gas & water, it's a pretty good deal. If you're paying rent or something for another place, then whats the point? Might as well get a semi-free place to stay while you can.

Answer 8

You should have to pay a little b/c you are making the light bill go up and the heating bill too. I say no more than 100 month. You are nice to stay there for her.

Answer 9

I think she should pay you for any past services you have done for sure. As far as the offer on moving in with her. The cost of living being so high...I think it's a great offer.
I would definitely remind her of the past services and she really should knock off a couple of months of any payment.
Just my opinion.
Therese

Answer 10

You should not have to pay for anything! She'll have to pay the bill anyway while she's gone... just move in but don't tell her you have.

My sister in law just finished house sitting for someone. For six weeks she lived there, got full access to the house, food, and boat, AND got paid $1000 to do so.