The Housesitting Company

The Housesitting Company: house and pet sitting in New Zealand

The Housesitting Company is a New Zealand agency specialising in connecting homeowners with house and pet sitters. The company presents itself as a professional alternative to informal house sitting services, with a selection process that includes interviews, identity verification, criminal record checks and gathering references and feedback history for each sitter.

Founded in 1998, the company operates nationwide from offices in Palmerston North and Tauranga. According to its corporate story, it was one of only two house sitting agencies in New Zealand in its early days, when the concept was still little known among New Zealanders and bookings were sealed with a handshake. Over time, the sector evolved towards digital platforms with looser trust, and The Housesitting Company positioned itself to offer a safer, more professional service.

Services for homeowners

The agency offers homeowners the possibility of finding a sitter through an application form detailing the dates of absence and the pets' needs. Based on that information, the company sends an immediate quote and a shortlist of candidates with profiles that include photos, references and feedback history from other homeowners. The homeowner can interview the candidates before deciding. The company manages interviews, background checks and reference gathering, and offers support before, during and after the service.

The application form allows specifying the number of dogs, cats, fish, birds, poultry, horses, reptiles, livestock and small pets, such as rabbits. The company states that it has more than 1,700 sitters available and that its sitters are insured with public liability, so the homeowner does not bear the costs of a sitter's mistake. It also notes that its service is cheaper than kennels and catteries.

Sitters and selection process

For those who wish to work as sitters, the proposition includes the possibility of saving on rent while caring for pets. The company interviews every candidate, requires references and maintains ongoing follow-up to ensure service quality. Sitters go through an induction process and only the profiles the agency considers best are taken on. Identity verification and background checks are requirements for all sitters.

Coverage and presence

The company operates throughout New Zealand and its website lists regions such as Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Taranaki, Waikato, Northland, Marlborough, Otago, Nelson-Tasman, Southland and West Coast. Its base is split between offices in Palmerston North and Tauranga. The agency also has a mobile app to make it easier to find sitters or sign up as a sitter.

History and team

The company was founded by Jase and Steph Strong, who later sold the business. Lyn Strong, Jase's mother, remains on the team. Daphne Keller joined in late 2017. The current owner, Quentin van Heerden, and his wife Emma worked as house sitters for The Housesitting Company for much of their first year of marriage, saving for a house deposit. Quentin later founded digital design agency Quentosity Ltd, responsible for the aesthetic and functional improvements to the website. Together with co-owner Eric Wolters, Quentin aims to make The Housesitting Company New Zealand's house sitting service provider of choice. The team visible on the website includes Eric, Quentin, Milly, Victoria and Daphne, plus a network of more than one hundred sitters.

Reviews

The site shows an "Excellent" rating based on 922 reviews on Trustpilot. Homeowner testimonials highlight their confidence in the verification process and the security the service gives them.