The Husbands for Rent handyman service is a global phenomenon that allows single or married women to hire somebody to perform little and big jobs around the house. The international concept has been franchised and is catching on in Greece. Like their counterparts around the world, Greek “Husbands of Rent” work on a honey-do list that can include everything from changing a lightbulb to babysitting.

“Husband” Ioannis Savoutzoglou says that most customers are working women aged from 35 to 70 years, however men who aren’t good at maintenance jobs sometimes also give the husbands a try. Some of the women just require a man to drive around their sons and step in as a father figure role model. Of course, most of the husbands are married which means that while they do provide plumbing and the odd babysitting service they stop short of being gigolos for hire.

The idea for renting out husbands was the brainchild of an out-of-work plumber in Italy in 2007. In Greece, the concept has caught on with eight “husbands” available in Thessaloniki and Athens. New franchises are being considered for Patra and Irakleio.

If you didn’t marry a handyman, why not hire a husband?