By charging for your vacation house watcher services, you will be accepting a great deal of responsibility. Then, make sure you have a written contract that lists specific tasks and gives you permission to enter the home. You will likely be given a set of keys and possibly the entrance code for a burglar alarm. Ask your client for a temporary code, or ask that the code be changed after you have completed your assignment. You need to be flexible enough to increase the number of visits you make to a home in the event of a severe cold snap or storm. Make sure you know where your client is going. Obtain a telephone number, cell phone number, and e-mail address. You should also obtain the name of another family member or a friend of the client who is specifically authorized to give permission for repairs or special services in case of an emergency. The agreement should also list the name of your client’s insurance company and local agent.
Be sure to limit your activities at the client’s property and within the house to those that are appropriate and approved. As tempting as it might be to host a pool party or watch the some TV programs with some buddies on the big-screen TV, you could be opening yourself to an expensive liability lawsuit. You should not take a job that endangers your safety or requires you to travel at times or to locations that make you uncomfortable. Your agreement should also include language stating that in case of a general evacuation in the area because of a storm, fire, or other reason, you will follow the instructions of officials.