Henkjan
About Henkjan
I'm a reliable Dutch digital nomad (copywriter & editor) looking to housesit. I love combining housesitting and working as it allows me to do slow travel: live like a local an get to know the area in unique ways.
As I grew up with animals (cats, dogs, poultry and more) I have lots of experience with them. This way you can travel sans stress an...
I'm a reliable Dutch digital nomad (copywriter & editor) looking to housesit. I love combining housesitting and working as it allows me to do slow travel: live like a local an get to know the area in unique ways.
As I grew up with animals (cats, dogs, poultry and more) I have lots of experience with them. This way you can travel sans stress and your furry friends can stay sans stress in their familiar environment.
You see, I gave my cushy 60+ hours a week corporate job with a multinational in January 2016. By travelling and freelancing, I enjoy a much better work/life balance. I've started out in Australia and haven't looked back since.
I travel solo and have a car of my own (in the EU). I divide my time between exploring the area I happen to be in and working for my customers. The latter range from massive multinationals (like Oracle) to small startups.
I don't ask for much: a reasonable internet connection (a plus if there's 4G in your area), a place to work (this can be local café too), a warm shower, a heated bedroom and a parking spot for my car.
Why I want to house sit
It's a unique way to see more of the world and be able to live and work anywhere at the same time. Life is way too short, and I was bored with spending most of it between 4 office walls.
As I'm self-employed, I can manage my work, exploring the area and taking care of your pets/property just fine.
My experience
The last 2 years I've travelled/worked/lived/AirBnB'ed in Australia, South Korea, The Netherlands, France and Spain.
I got rave reviews when I stayed with others via Airbnb. Check out my profile here: www.airbnb.ca/users/show/52118639 or check out my adventures on Instagram via @SCHRVR.
Although I'm quite active on the latter, I always ensure both my own and my house sitters' privacy. So I won't be posting pictures of your property or pets and never reveal the exact location of where I'm staying.
I've also stayed with friends in The Netherlands and helped them out while they were remodelling an old farm into a large house.
This year I've mainly done housesits in France. (Via similar services) The longest one (multiple months) on a large estate in the south of France with 3 dogs, 6 cats and 20+ birds (peacocks, pheasants, pigeons, chickens, etc.) to feed and a large garden & swimming pool to maintain. I also acted as the host for Airbnb guests who stayed there over the summer.
I love animals, am a non-smoker, avid hiker, swimmer and runner. I’m also very handy when it comes to home improvement and gardening. I even know my way around cleaning and maintaining a swimming pool. (I'm my own gardener, carpenter, electrician, IT-guy, etc.)
In my previous life, I was an editor for the Global Content Marketing team at Exact - one of the fastest-growing international business software companies in the world at the time. There, I handled multiple extremely high-pressure projects daily.
Meaning - I'm incredibly organised by design, used to solving problems by myself, working with others when I need to and don't panic if anything unexpected happens. (And it always does. ;-) )
Moreover, since my work revolves around writing and thinking up the next creative thing for my customers, you'll find me behind my laptop. And when I'm not working I'm exploring the area. So I'm not exactly stirring up the neighbourhood.
Reviews (9)
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Ruth - Oliva, Spain
13 September - 24 September 2018
Henkjan took good care of our cats and house. Everything was fine when we came back. He was reliable in everything that as needing taking care of while we were gone and it seems the cats enjoyed him. The cats spent much time at home, which we liked. He sent us photos during the time he was here w...
Henkjan took good care of our cats and house. Everything was fine when we came back. He was reliable in everything that as needing taking care of while we were gone and it seems the cats enjoyed him. The cats spent much time at home, which we liked. He sent us photos during the time he was here which we enjoyed. Hew as very generous and helpful in giving us information and suggestions that have to do with his profession, which was very valuable to us.
- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Katie - Genève, Switzerland
10 August - 27 August 2018
We consider ourselves very lucky to have had Henkjan stay at our house while we were away. He took fantastic care of our dog, Dozer, even driving her to the vet when a tick proved difficult to remove. He sent updates and photos throughout his stay and was incredibly responsive to all of my messag...
We consider ourselves very lucky to have had Henkjan stay at our house while we were away. He took fantastic care of our dog, Dozer, even driving her to the vet when a tick proved difficult to remove. He sent updates and photos throughout his stay and was incredibly responsive to all of my messages. He and Dozer took many backyard adventures. It was fun to have someone stay at our house who clearly enjoyed taking advantage of the mountain range in our backyard.
I would highly recommend Henkjan for any house sitting opportunity.- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Rita - Saint Peter Port, Guernsey
01 April - 13 April 2018
Henkjan was a brilliant house/pet sitter. He proved to be very capable, organised and unflappable despite having to contend with terrible wet weather, problems with the electricity and trouble with the router/broadband. On my return the dogs were calm and happy and the house was spotless.I woul...
Henkjan was a brilliant house/pet sitter. He proved to be very capable, organised and unflappable despite having to contend with terrible wet weather, problems with the electricity and trouble with the router/broadband. On my return the dogs were calm and happy and the house was spotless.I would happily recommend Henkjan for your housesit.
- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
About Henkjan
I'm a reliable Dutch digital nomad (copywriter & editor) looking to housesit. I love combining housesitting and working as it allows me to do slow travel: live like a local an get to know the area in unique ways.
As I grew up with animals (cats, dogs, poultry and more) I have lots of experience with them. This way you can travel sans stress and your furry friends can stay sans stress in their familiar environment.
You see, I gave my cushy 60+ hours a week corporate job with a multinational in January 2016. By travelling and freelancing, I enjoy a much better work/life balance. I've started out in Australia and haven't looked back since.
I travel solo and have a car of my own (in the EU). I divide my time between exploring the area I happen to be in and working for my customers. The latter range from massive multinationals (like Oracle) to small startups.
I don't ask for much: a ......
I'm a reliable Dutch digital nomad (copywriter & editor) looking to housesit. I love combining housesitting and working as it allows me to do slow travel: live like a local an get to know the area in unique ways.
As I grew up with animals (cats, dogs, poultry and more) I have lots of experience with them. This way you can travel sans stress and your furry friends can stay sans stress in their familiar environment.
You see, I gave my cushy 60+ hours a week corporate job with a multinational in January 2016. By travelling and freelancing, I enjoy a much better work/life balance. I've started out in Australia and haven't looked back since.
I travel solo and have a car of my own (in the EU). I divide my time between exploring the area I happen to be in and working for my customers. The latter range from massive multinationals (like Oracle) to small startups.
I don't ask for much: a reasonable internet connection (a plus if there's 4G in your area), a place to work (this can be local café too), a warm shower, a heated bedroom and a parking spot for my car.
Why I want to house sit
It's a unique way to see more of the world and be able to live and work anywhere at the same time. Life is way too short, and I was bored with spending most of it between 4 office walls.
As I'm self-employed, I can manage my work, exploring the area and taking care of your pets/property just fine.
My experience
The last 2 years I've travelled/worked/lived/AirBnB'ed in Australia, South Korea, The Netherlands, France and Spain.
I got rave reviews when I stayed with others via Airbnb. Check out my profile here: www.airbnb.ca/users/show/52118639 or check out my adventures on Instagram via @SCHRVR.
Although I'm quite active on the latter, I always ensure both my own and my house sitters' privacy. So I won't be posting pictures of your property or pets and never reveal the exact location of where I'm staying.
I've also stayed with friends in The Netherlands and helped them out while they were remodelling an old farm into a large house.
This year I've mainly done housesits in France. (Via similar services) The longest one (multiple months) on a large estate in the south of France with 3 dogs, 6 cats and 20+ birds (peacocks, pheasants, pigeons, chickens, etc.) to feed and a large garden & swimming pool to maintain. I also acted as the host for Airbnb guests who stayed there over the summer.
I love animals, am a non-smoker, avid hiker, swimmer and runner. I’m also very handy when it comes to home improvement and gardening. I even know my way around cleaning and maintaining a swimming pool. (I'm my own gardener, carpenter, electrician, IT-guy, etc.)
In my previous life, I was an editor for the Global Content Marketing team at Exact - one of the fastest-growing international business software companies in the world at the time. There, I handled multiple extremely high-pressure projects daily.
Meaning - I'm incredibly organised by design, used to solving problems by myself, working with others when I need to and don't panic if anything unexpected happens. (And it always does. ;-) )
Moreover, since my work revolves around writing and thinking up the next creative thing for my customers, you'll find me behind my laptop. And when I'm not working I'm exploring the area. So I'm not exactly stirring up the neighbourhood.
Verifications
Verification level
Enhanced level
Email Address, Phone Number, External references (1), Identity & Document Check, Criminal Background Check (issue date: 19 Oct 2017)
All Standard and Enhanced Verification checks are carried out by a specialist 3rd Party
Animal Care Experience
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Dogs
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Cats
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Horses
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Fish
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Poultry
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Farm animals
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Bird
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Small pet
Availability
Preferred Countries
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Aland Islands
- Andorra
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- Gibraltar
- Guernsey
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Jersey
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Norway
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Sweden
- Vatican
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Henkjan has done 12 house sits since 2016
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La PrazSwitzerlandOct - Nov 2018 -
Saint-Laurent-d’AigouzeFranceSep - Oct 2018 -
OlivaSpainSep 2018 -
GenèveSwitzerlandAug 2018 -
BergeracFranceMay - Jul 2018 -
La PrazSwitzerlandApr - May 2018
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Saint Peter PortGuernseyApr 2018 -
Villiers-CoutureFranceMar 2018 -
RoccastradaItalyJan - Feb 2018 -
Ceglie MessapicaItalyDec 2017 - Jan 2018 -
AlcaidesaSpainNov 2017 -
MorzineFranceJan 2017
