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Irish Wedding News

08/03/2016

Couples 'Trust Neighbours To Look After Their Home While On Holiday'

A new survey has found that couples are more likely to ask their neighbours to keep an eye on their house when they are away on holiday, rather than family – because they trust them more.

The study, which has been commissioned by sunshine.co.uk, involved 1,997 people from the UK, all of whom were in co-habiting relationships and had been on holiday with their other half within the past year.

Participants were asked, 'Who did you ask to house-sit or check in on our property whilst you were away on holiday?' and the results found that neighbours are the most likely ones to be asked (37%), followed by friends (22%). Interestingly, parent(s) and grandparent(s) followed with 14% and 13% of the vote, respectively.

Of those who did have someone house-sit, they were asked why they chose the person – or people – they did. A majority who said they had chosen their neighbours (42%) admitted it was because they trusted them more than relatives and friends to not look through their belongings.

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A further 30% said it was because it was convenient as they lived closer than family or friends, while 11% said they asked their neighbours to check on their property because they were 'close by to watch out for anything suspicious'.

They were then asked what they ask their house-sitters to look after when they are away, with a majority (72%) saying general security. This was followed by watering the plants (21%), feeding, walking or caring for a pet (17%), and putting out the bins (11%).

While many couples did ask someone to keep an eye on their home, 11% confessed they didn't ask anyone to house sit. When asked why, 33% said it was because they didn't feel they were away long enough to ask somebody, while 26% said they 'didn't want to put anybody out'. A further 17% felt they 'didn't really have anything at the home that needed looking after/checking in on'.

However, while some may trust their neighbours, friends or family to check on their home, there are others who are not as trusting. For example, 7% of respondents admitted they put measures in place to see whether those looking after their home had been snooping.

Commenting on the findings, Sue Anderson, from sunshine.co.uk, said: "People often get nervous about leaving their property vacant when they go away on holiday, so it's reassuring to know that a friend, relative or neighbour is going to be checking in on things for you.

"Neighbours are an obvious choice, given that they don't really have to go out of their way to pop in and water the plants, but we were really surprised to see that many people choose neighbours because they trust them more not to snoop around."

She continued: "Perhaps the in-laws would have a good old nosey through your belongings and younger friends or relatives might take the opportunity to use your property for entertaining without your permission. At the end of the day, if you don't trust someone fully to look after your house when you go away, don't ask them."

(JP)

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"A new survey has found that couples are more likely to ask their neighbours to keep an eye on their house when they are away on holiday, rather than family – because they trust them more."