Yellowknife (Aug 22/03) - Over the past few years house sitting has become popular in Yellowknife, particularly during the summer months.

Sam Sweeney relaxes on the back porch of a house he's sitting, in the Range Lake area. - Amy Collins/NNSL photo

Residents going on vacation are now choosing to leave their homes in the hands of students returning from school, or those who want to save on rent money.

"It's a pretty nice way to avoid paying rent in the summer, especially if you're trying to save money," said Chris Carthew, who house sat more than four times this summer.

"It's possible to do it for the whole summer, moving every couple of weeks. It's almost a tradition."

Carthew, a GNWT employee, started house sitting in the spring.

"You get a place to stay in exchange for taking care of the place," he said. "It works out pretty good for all parties."

Sam Sweeney and Mick Doust started house sitting a month after arriving from Australia in mid-May.

The appeal for the two friends was not having to pay rent "especially considering the rent up here. It's pretty expensive," Sweeney said.

Rent for a one bedroom apartment can range between $900 a month and $1,500 depending on the landlord. Vacancy rates are growing, but it can still be difficult to find an apartment quickly.

Hiring a house sitter provides reassurance for homeowners that there is still activity going on in the house. It gives them some security while on vacation.

Other things house sitters do is take care of pets, collect telephone messages, pick up the mail, water the plants and keep the place clean.

"Generally, you get fairly free reign of the house," Carthew said, including eating perishable foods left in the fridge.

There are rarely any specific ground rules, he said. All you have to do is respect the place.

Carthew does his best to make sure nothing happens to the homes he is responsible for. However, some accidents, such as dropping a dish, are unavoidable.

"If you're up front and honest, generally there are no problems."

Carthew has had to take care of dogs, cats, fish, hamsters and guinea pigs.

He makes sure the pets are fed and walks the dogs twice a day.

Not lazy, just sitting

Sweeney and Doust were told about house sitting while staying at the Long Lake campground.

They were invited to help house sit with two others and liked the idea.

"You get to stay in some cool houses," Sweeney said.

So far, Sweeney and Doust have sat at six houses and hope to keep doing so as winter arrives.

According to Carthew, most people rely on word of mouth when looking for house sitters.

"If you're not a responsible person, word gets out pretty quick," he said.

Carthew apparently has a good reputation. He's even had to turn down a few requests to house sit.

"If I have to turn it down, then I'll put the person in touch with others who can house sit," he said.

Roy Hamlyn started house sitting for the first time this summer.

Up here to see his son and grandchildren, he had trouble finding a place to stay.

"There's nowhere else to live," Hamlyn said.

He has sat for three homeowners since arriving from Ontario in June.

Hamlyn said he had nothing but good experiences with house sitting.

So has Carthew. He said he might house sit next year, especially if rents remain high.