Last summer (August 2, 2007) this column pointed out what a drag it is helping people move. It was a subtle message to whoever was reading: Stop asking me to haul your crap all the time. It worked. No one has.

House-sitting, on the other hand, is a favor I’m always up for. Talk about a sweet gig. It’s basically a controlled pillage.

For starters, it’s guaranteed the pad you’ll look after is way nicer than the ones you’re used to living in (people don’t hire house-sitters to make sure nothing happens to their dump while they’re away). It’s like a mini-vacation that you get paid for!

Second, the job requires no skill. Basically – other than familiarizing yourself with the couch, the refrigerator and the Hi-Def channels for the flat screen – all you have to do is recline.

Third, as long as you don’t burn the place down, you’re doing a good job.

That’s a far better deal than moving. All you get there is a bad back and an empty promise of free beer and food.

With vacation season at its peak, house-sitters are in high demand, too. Easy a job as it sounds, however, it does require a degree of honesty and responsibility. After completing my second stint ever house-sitting this week, I thought it might be helpful for everyone to draw-up a ‘house-sitter’s code of conduct’ based on my personal experiences. If nothing else, it should give house-sitters a guide to go by and home owners peace of mind while they’re on vacation:

– I solemnly pledge myself to protecting this house (so long as that doesn’t require any more than turning off lights and appliances).

– I will not go through your medicine cabinets (unless I run out of deodorant and need to borrow some Lady’s Speed Stick in a pinch).