TERMS OF SERVICE

By engaging my Swell Housesitting petsitting and housesitting services, you agree to the following terms. They're here to keep things safe, transparent, and reliable for you and your pets, and work alongside our Privacy Policy and the Service Agreement you'll sign for your specific housesit(s).

1.  BOOKINGS & QUOTES

• Base Rate: standard rates are $99 per day for a housesit of 7–13 days, $85 per day for 2–3 weeks, and $75 per day for 4+ weeks, for one dog and/or cat with no notable special care required. Stays shorter than 7 days may incur an express-stay surcharge, quoted individually.

• Pricing and Customised Quotes: final quotes are tailored to the complexity and daily time commitment of the housesit. Pricing may increase for variables such as peak season, multi-pet households (e.g. two or more dogs), young animal care (e.g. puppy or kitten), high-presence requirements (e.g. not being able to leave the house for more than 4 hours at a time), or overnight care during sleeping hours.

• Balancing Other Work: I fit my own work and study around each housesit, hence any extra charges where a housesit needs me to be away from that for longer than usual. I appreciate your understanding here.

• Full-Time Company & Care: this is based on being home for a minimum of 38 daylight hours per week. I'm home with your pets the large majority of the time, though I do go out some days to see friends and family, exercise, or run errands.

• Daily Walks: two walks a day is our usual aim, but this can vary depending on the weather, my own health, ability or illness, or a pet's health, ability or existing routine. When a walk isn't possible, that time is still spent with your pets, playing or cuddling at home instead.

• Locking in Dates: a booking is only officially secured once the Service Agreement is signed and the deposit is paid.

2.  PAYMENT & DEPOSITS

• Deposits: a 25% non-refundable deposit is required at booking to secure your dates. 

• Final Payment: the remaining balance is due 30 days before the start date (60 days before the start date for bookings in December or January as it is peak season).

• GST: this business is not currently registered for GST.

3.  CANCELLATIONS & ADJUSTMENTS

Because your dates are reserved exclusively for you well in advance, and late vacancies are hard to fill, the schedule below reflects when payments become non-refundable.

• More than 30 days before the start date: the 25% deposit is forfeited; any balance paid beyond the deposit is refunded.

• 14 to 30 days before the start date: 50% of the total booking value is forfeited; the remainder is refunded.

• Within 14 days of the start date: the full amount is forfeited, as getting another housesit booking is very unlikely at the last minute.

• Credit Option: at my discretion, and for genuine emergencies, up to 50% of any amount forfeited beyond the deposit may be offered as credit toward a future booking within 12 months.

• Sitter Cancellation: cancellations by me would only ever happen in a genuine emergency. If this occurs before the housesit begins, you'll be notified as soon as possible, any amount paid will be refunded in full, and I'll make reasonable efforts to help you find alternative care.

4.  HEALTH, BEHAVIOUR & RISK DISCLOSURE

• Honest Disclosure: owners must ensure any history of notable behaviours (such as aggression, nighttime barking, resource guarding, reactivity, or severe separation anxiety) is noted in the Service Agreement.

• Undisclosed Behaviour: if undisclosed behaviours become regularly apparent during the housesit that would have incurred extra charges, I'll send a follow-up invoice for this. If something in the home environment (or a pet’s behaviour) poses a threat to my safety or wellbeing, I reserve the right to end the housesit early or immediately and arrange alternative care at the owner's expense, with the full balance still owed.

5.  EMERGENCIES, VETERINARY CARE & HOME

• In the event of a pet medical emergency, I'll make every effort to contact you first. If you're unreachable, I'm authorised to seek veterinary care as set out in your Service Agreement.

• All veterinary costs incurred during the sit are the sole responsibility of you as the owner.

• You agree to provide all necessary supplies for the pets (food, collar/harness, medication, litter, cleaning products, etc.) and to cover all standard home utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet) for the duration of the housesit.

• You agree to ensure the property is safe for me as the sitter to occupy, including working smoke alarms, safe electrical and gas systems, and disclosure of any known hazards (e.g. unsafe fencing, aggressive wildlife on the property, structural issues). You agree to provide accurate and timely access information (keys, codes, WiFi) prior to the start of the housesit.

6.  LIABILITY LIMITATIONS

• While I treat your home and pets with the utmost respect and care, I'm not liable for property damage caused by pets, household maintenance issues (e.g. plumbing or appliance failures), or damage caused by weather events or natural disasters (e.g. storms, strong winds, flooding) occurring during or after the housesit. 

• For any rooms, areas, or items not used during the course of the housesit, I am not responsible for cleaning, maintaining, or addressing the condition. I am not liable for mould, mildew, or other environmental conditions arising from the property's existing condition, ventilation, weather, or pre-existing issues, whether these become apparent during or after the housesit. I am also not responsible for general wear and tear to the property, furnishings, or fixtures that occur in the ordinary course of occupancy, regardless of when such wear and tear becomes apparent.

• To the maximum extent permitted by law, my total liability arising from or in connection with any housesit — whether in contract, tort, or otherwise — is limited to the total fees paid by you for that booking. This limitation does not apply to liability that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law.

• Events Beyond Our Control: Neither party is liable for delay or failure to perform their obligations under this agreement where this is caused by events beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, extreme weather, pandemic or public health orders, government restrictions, or significant illness or injury. Where such an event affects a booking, both parties agree to work together in good faith to find a fair resolution, which may include rescheduling, partial refund, or credit.

7.  DISPUTE RESOLUTION

• If a disagreement arises under this agreement, both parties agree to first attempt to resolve it directly and in good faith. If it cannot be resolved this way, either party may refer the matter to mediation before pursuing any other formal legal process. This does not prevent either party from seeking resolution through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) or other applicable small claims process.

• Entire Agreement: This Terms of Service document, together with the Service Agreement and Privacy Policy for your specific booking, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any prior discussions or representations. If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.

7.  PRIVACY

• Your personal information is handled in line with our Privacy Policy, provided alongside these terms.

These terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.

Version 2 - updated 9th September 2026.