For a monetary wage or in exchange for room, board, or other services, a property caretaker looks after a residential or commercial building or piece of land. Estate managers and house sitters are terms used to describe people who look after residential properties. Resorts, inns, and public campgrounds are all common places to work as a commercial caretaker. These jobs could be temporary or permanent.
On the basis of cost and convenience, a property caretaker is frequently preferred over a property manager to care for buildings and homes. Property managers frequently charge more than property caretakers, because caretakers frequently work for money in addition to room and board or other benefits. Long-term contracts are also common among property managers, whereas most property caretakers do not.
A house sitter is a professional who looks after people’s homes while they are away on business or vacation. Plant care, mail collection, and light housekeeping are typical responsibilities. This job can be hired for a long or short period of time.
Property caretakers are frequently hired people who own second homes for seasonal use to live in them when they are not there. The presence of a human in these homes is typically thought to deter burglars and prowlers. In these situations, caretakers are typically expected to maintain the property and report any issues to the owner.
A commercial property caretaker often lives off-site near the property he is responsible for. A caretaker who visits the properties on a regular basis is common in schools, working farms, and historic landmark buildings. He cleans up after himself and makes minor repairs to keep the places in good working order.
Seasonal businesses also hire a property caretaker to keep the property in good repair during the off-season. When summer campgrounds and ski lodges are empty during certain months of the year, they usually hire a caretaker to provide a physical presence to deter intruders. In most cases, the caretaker is also responsible for protecting the property from weather-related damage caused storms or snow.
Forests and cemeteries are two less common places to work as a property caretaker. During fire seasons, some public parks hire people to live in remote areas and check for smoke or fires from the tops of fire lookout towers. In remote areas, cemeteries frequently hire a property caretaker to live on the grounds to deter trespassers and vandals.
A property caretaker does not need any formal education. Light home repairs and housekeeping skills are generally regarded as assets for the position. For aspiring property managers, a list of references from satisfied clients is extremely valuable.