Good Morning all, I really need some tips and things to know and ask. My neighbor who was to retire this year advised me she accepted a position in New Jersey for the next 2 yrs and has asked me to house sit(daily visits) she will come home on holidays for a couple days only. So to start I need to know where the water shut off is, electical/fuse box, contact person and phone # etc... This has caught me totally off guard and I am feeling a little overwhelmed and need to discuss all with her before she leaves on Sunday. Thanks in advance to everyone who respond, I did not where else to post this so again thank you! Bunz

First thing I think of is "Liability"!! Please make sure her homeowner's insurance is current and it wouldn't hurt to get something in writing from her just to protect yourself. I'm not saying that she would do anything underhanded but if something was to happen the insurance company could make things difficult. Maybe a call to a lawyer would be in both of your best interests.

Hello Kitty, I never gave a thought to liability issues, and sorry maybe call ne naïve but I'm not sure exactly how I would be liable for her home?? Should I have something in writing??? For the pass 3yrs I have been tending to her mail and doing a walk about around her property as a good neighbor because she has always worked out of town, but she always came home on weekends. I never had a key nor did I received anything monetary, and that brings up another issue by my hubby as he feels there she be some type of monetary value to show good faith after all 2 yrs is a long time, but I do not know how to ask and she leaves on sunday. This is happening so fast, she just told us last week. I do not think she would bring harm to us as in a liability issue, she is a 73 year old woman who is very intelligent and a expert in her field of work, as well was offer a great deal of money to bring her out of retirement before she could even start lol, now you have me wondering if this is going to be too much?? Ug! Thanks again Kitty
Bunz

I know it's hard to think about a friend bringing on a legal claim. But it might not be her doing it....but her insurance company. I think I'd get some legal advice before agreeing to anything especially for that long. And especially if there is money/payment involved because that puts a whole new light on it. Then it becomes a service you are providing for payment and, if I'm not mistaken, that puts a whole new spin on who's responsible for what. I'm really not trying to make this hard.....and we should all be able to help our neighbors out when they need a hand......I think I watch too much Judge Judy!!

I'm sure you'll get others to give advice later in the day.

I don`t see a location for you, but even with the water shut off water in pipes, drains, toilet bowls can freeze and do damage if there is no heat.

You need electrical power on in almost all cases to provide heat? If the home has a sump pump in a basement or lower level and in some cases outside the house to prevent flooding? It also requires electric power, as do most septic systems?

Hi The Sleeper, I am from Canada and yes all utilities will remain on and the heat will be on just enough to prevent freezing. I would have to go over daily to flush toilets, run the faucets, open windows to let fresh air in maybe run her washer etc..., I just cannot believe she took this job on for 2 yrs and to only come home on holidays, its a long time to let a house stand alone without using things that are used everyday, unsure if I have biten off more than I can chew and now Kitty has my brow up in think mode lol, but she is recently widowed and her children reside in Boston and China and really has no one left to ask. think I need to speak with my hubby again.
Thanks Bunz

Gee Buns, it sounds like too much responsibility to
me. I wouldn't do it. Your neighbor probably doesn't
mean to put all that on you, but ii could really be
awful, in a worse case scenerio.

That's too much for a neighbor to ask another neighbor
to do. Doesn't she have any Family, who would be willing?

Sorry I couldn't help, but just the idea of it, scares the
bajeebers out of me.

She may be able to hire someone to tend to the house while she's gone. That way, she's protected, too, in case of a fire or accident. Most companies that provide this type of service are bonded and insured. She probably just hasn't thought it through so probably hasn't thought of all the "what if's". If she's elderly and alone then it's even more important to help her so she doesn't get scammed or taken advantage of. Just let her know that you have hers and your best interest at heart.

I would do it but I would expect to be paid and would want a contract in writing. I'm all for being neighborly if it is 2 weeks but not two years.

You could always offer do to it for a couple of weeks and see how it goes which would at least give her more time to find someone else. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Hello and thanks everyone for your responses, well by hubby and I have decided to do a trial run on the housesitting issue and no monetary value was discussed, as that is really not a issue I am sure she will do or give something special for us, we did get her important info written down and she will contact us as soon as she arrives in NJ. I am still feeling anxious after reading some of the responses here, but she has no family here and we don't want her scammed. We have lived in the country for the last 25 yrs with no issues so in the meantime we will converse via phone and she will come home for the first holiday in July, as well if we decide this is too much we will help her find someone who will tend to the home and not take advantage of the situation. Wish me luck lol!
Bunz