Aussie website connects holiday makers with free accommodation over Christmas

Aussie holiday makers looking for a place to stay this peak summer period will pay nothing for 'home away from home' accommodation, in the destination of their choice through Australia's house and pet sitting website, Mindahome.com.au.

Over 300 properties are listed* for the December 2014 to January 2015 period on Mindahome.com.au, giving travellers the chance to score free accommodation in some of the country's most sought after holiday destinations.

Aussie couple, Robi and Stu, will be spending this Christmas in Falcon, Western Australia in a comfortable home, caring for a border collie, Barney, and a cat, Tiger.

"It's a win/win situation. Home owners get to enjoy their holiday knowing their pets are being loved and cared for and don't have to worry about high boarding fees over Christmas. And my husband and I don't have to pay anything to stay in, what essentially is, a home away from home," explains Robi.

"In almost three years of retirement we've seen a lot of the country as house and pet sitters and by not paying for accommodation, we've been able to save to use that money on other things," Robi added.

Robi and Stu plan to take a Mandurah Christmas Lights Cruise, visit the local markets and beaches, and walk Barney during their Christmas house and pet sit; all the while staying rent free.

Robi and Stu say they have saved a significant amount of moneystaying in homes as house and pet sitters. They have stayed in places such as Salisbury and Woombyein Queensland; Echuca and Fairhaven in Victoria; Capel in Western Australia; Ballina, Cooma and Port Macquarie in New South Wales; and Riverton and Hallet Cove in South Australia.

Sue Coombs, Co-Founder of Mindahome.com.au says that house and pet sitting presents Australian holiday makers with a chance to save on peak period rates.

"It's the Aussie way to want to help out a mate as well as experience something new and house and pet sitting is just that," Ms Coombs commented.

"Home and pet owners need someone to care for the treasured possessions that they can't take with them when they travel, and house and pet sitters are able to have a holiday but still save money," Ms Coombs explained.

"House and pet sitters get the opportunity to truly live like a local during a sit and they also get to enjoy animal companionship, which isn't always possible for animal lovers due to time or work pressures or space restrictions where they live."

"Many families, singles and young and mature aged couples use our service to organise a holiday around Christmas or public holidays once or a few times a year."

"They have all the comforts and conveniences staying in a place that is more like a home away from home and they also avoid paying hefty peak season rates."

Home and pet owners can search for a house and pet sitter for free on Mindahome.com.au and house and pet sitters can stay as many or as few times a year for a low annual fee of $49.

For more information or to source your next rent free holiday, visit www.mindahome.com.au.

Editor’s Note: Sue Coombs, co-founder of Mindahome.com.au, and Robi, Mindahome house and pet sitter, is available for interview on request

*Listed property numbers are accurate at date of publish, but are subject to availability.

Media Contact: Maria Crema, Crema PR, m: 0402 239 929, e: maria@cremapr.com.au

More about Mindahome House and Pet Sitting: www.mindahome.com.au

Mindahome is an Australian owned and operated house and pet sitting business that connects home and pet owners with sitters across Australia. Specialising in pet and house sitting for rural and residential properties, Mindahome has quality experienced sitters available to care for homes and family pets. Home owners and renters can list their property and pets for sitting opportunities for free on Mindahome. House and pet sitters pay a low annual registration fee of $49 per year to stay rent free in as many or as few homes as they like each year. 99% of Mindahome house sitting opportunities involve caring for all types of pets and animals which can include dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, pets requiring regular medication and also farm animals. Mindahome house sitters use the service to organise accommodation for annual holidays and short breaks. Sitting opportunities are varied and can be for short or long periods. Mindahome also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, where sitters who do not obtain a house minding position in the first 12 months of membership are refunded their payment in full when claimed within seven days of membership expiration.