So you thought that finding an accommodation in London during 2012 Olympics Games on a budget is impossible? Think about ‘House-Sitting’.
Typically, a house sitter takes care of the house when the owners leave for a vacation, in exchange for staying at the property. The house sitters take care of plants, the pets, the regular chores, and they are often professionals active or retired from services, looking for a place to stay for free or even retreat to for a break.
With an astounding number of British population planning a vacation around the times of 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics Games, there has been an increase in demand for house sitters in London during the same period.
Lisa Logan, the spokeswoman for Trusted Housesitters, a UK-based house sitting company, said to The Guardian, ‘I think people were waiting to see if they got Olympic tickets and those that haven’t have decided to go away. In the past week 10 new London properties have been added.’
The company has reported having around 584 homes listed for house sitting requirements, with 30 of them located within the M25, and another 40 properties located within 40 minutes of travelling distance from London. The properties include a Georgian terrace house in Kensington, and an Edwardian house with a garden in Richmond. Most of the properties listed for house sitting come with residential pets that need to be looked after during the time owners go for the vacation.
So for people with a ticket to the games, and without accommodation so far, and those who love pets and gardening, house sitting may be a way to stay for free in a city which is expected to see thousands of visitors once the 2012 Games begin.
