Best House Sitting in Richmond: Ted Lasso’s Richmond

Many of our regular housesitters gravitate towards particular locations. House sitting in Richmond has long been one of Kelly Hayes-Raitt’s favourite things to do, for all kinds of reasons. In this article she reviews her most recent exploration of that leafy part of London right on the River Thames, house and pet sitting for a couple with a dog called Sora. Read on to learn more about Kelly’s activities while she was there.

Last Minute House Sitting in Richmond: Ted Lasso’s Richmond in London

By Kelly Hayes-Raitt

When HouseSit Match founder Lamia Walker texted me about a new last-minute assignment to go house sitting in Richmond, I jumped on it.  Lamia knows her members.  Her “customer service” goes far beyond trouble-shooting, she actively reaches out to her sitters to alert them about new possibilities and to ensure that new homeowner members have qualified applicants from which to choose.

Lamia knows Richmond is my favorite part of London.  And she knows I love London!  I had a recurring sitting assignment in St Margarets for a month every year for Grumpy Gremlin, a calico kitty with personality plus until her death years ago.  And during the Pandemic, I was locked down in Richmond pampering Rosie while her pet-parents were completing residency requirements at their holiday home in Spain.

Trusted home and pet care in Richmond upon Thames

While I had been petsitting in Richmond for that extended period, it had been a few years since I scampered along those leafy streets.  Ted Lasso has now taken Richmond by storm, but the area still retains is stately grace. 

Chatting with the Homeowner

I immediately messaged the husband through the HSM platform and he responded quite quickly.  We scheduled a video chat on the site. This was his first time engaging a house sitter. Since I’ve house sat for more than 20 years — 15 of which were full-time — my questions seemed to instil confidence and trust.

I ask first about the dog’s needs.  In this case, it was Sora, a five-year-old bundle of cuddles.  What is her walking schedule?  What does she eat?  When?  Where?  Does she sleep through the night?  Where does she sleep?  What makes her happy?

Then, I ask about the house.  Any quirks?  Any security cameras or nanny-cams?  Any issues with neighbors I should be aware of?  I ask for a video tour so I can see where I’ll be sleeping.

I ask about the homeowners’ needs.  How often would they like me to communicate?  Is there a time when they will be out of phone range or unavailable?  When would they like me to arrive?  Leave? These questions are essential for determining whether house sitting in Richmond would be a good mutual fit.

Securing the House and Pet Instructions

I explain I have a thorough agreement/house questionnaire for them to complete.  I know that HouseSit Match has a briefing book too. I have curated mine over many years. My agreement is the most thorough out there and reflects my 20 years’ of experience.  Homeowners generally appreciate this as it feels very professional.

Dog sitting near Richmond Park

We both agreed to the sit on the spot!  But his wife also wanted to meet me, so we arranged a second video chat to … simply talk and get to know each other.  Since I would be arriving after they both left, they asked if I would stay on an extra night so we could all have dinner together.  I thought that was a very gracious gesture and would complete my house sitting in Richmond with a lovely ‘get to know each other’ meal!

While I was booking my flights, the homeowner texted and asked what he could stock in the fridge for me.  Another kind gesture!

Affordable vacation pet care in South West London

Booking London’s Gems While House Sitting in Richmond

Then, I set my sights on the sites.  House sitting in Richmond brought me to London after all, with all it has to offer. I bought tickets to a stand-up comedy show, a jazz concert at the famed Ronnie Scott’s, and three plays.  I contacted dear friends – themselves pet owners I met through house sitting – to schedule lunches.  My 17 days in London would be full! 

Additionally, friends of mine from Alcobaça, Portugal, where I live, would coincidentally be visiting London while I was there.  Since it was their first time in London, I agreed to tour them around Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden – two of London’s most iconic sites.  Since I had written about these dynamic destinations in the past, I had some quirky things to show them, including the portrait of Catherine de Braganza, the Portuguese princess who married Charles II and introduced tea to the British Court, in the National Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square.

Savouring the Neighbourhood

From the delightful home while house sitting in Richmond, getting into Central London was a dream.  The train station was only a 10 minute walk away and the train went straight to Waterloo Station.  From there, I could get to almost anywhere in London.

The highlight of my daily walks with Sora was a stroll along the Thames – only four blocks from home!  Apparently, Sora is quite the social butterfly;  I met many of her canine friends and their lovely owners.  I may have scored future house sitting gigs with them!

Sora and I would circle the park, bark at the swans (Sora, not me), sit on one of the wooden benches engraved with love stories of the residents who’d sat there before me, and eventually wander over to the sweet little coffee and pastry shop for a creamy latte (me, not Sora).

Dining with the Homeowners

When the homeowners returned at the conclusion of my house sitting in Richmond, still my favourite place in London, I had dinner waiting and we had a wonderful conversation.  We have much in common and I am certain we will become good friends.  The next morning, they asked if I would return in September for two weeks!  They were thrilled with our arrangement;  I was thrilled to be returning to this lovely housesit in London, great neighbourhood, a truly warm and welcoming couple – and of course to Sora my new canine friend.

While house sitting is certainly an incredible way to visit favorite stomping grounds, for me the most gratifying aspect is making new meaningful relationships – both furry and human!

BIO

Kelly Hayes-Raitt

When she wearies of mangling Portuguese, Kelly Hayes-Raitt likes to take a break by house sitting in London.  She enjoys theatre (English-speaking, please!), mature cheddar cheese and Cadbury’s chocolate.  She is the author of How to Become a Housesitter:  Insider Tips from the Housesit Diva.

Further Reading on Housesitting, Petsitting and Affordable Travel

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice, like this article on tips for house sitting in Richmond. We hope you find this small selection of blogs on house sitters and sustainable travel useful.

Top Housesitter Interview Questions for a Homeowner to Ask

Housesitting and sustainable travel

Dog sitting in London  – A guide

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities

What is a housesit? Read about the benefits

What is Home sitting otherwise known as house sitting?