House sitting considerations for sitters

If you are a house sitter, you will know that house sitting jobs go a lot more smoothly when things are well-planned.

Sometimes, people’s trips are last minute, giving you less time to prepare. But there are many things you can do that don't involve a lot of time, to ensure the whole process is incident-free.

Of course, there are certain things you can’t avoid – as they say, life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans – such as pets getting sick or house maintenance issues. But the more you can prepare for the unexpected, the better. 

Here are some considerations when house sitting to get you started.

Remember to:

• Set clear dates. Sometimes, people’s travel plans might change. But if you house sit full time and rely on their home for accommodation, you don’t want them to come home two weeks early, or unannounced, leaving you without a place to live. Ask if their dates are set in stone, and if not, be clear about what happens at the end.
• Ask what the expectations are. Before the homeowners go away, ask them what they expect of you in regards to the home, the pets and the routines. Are there certain areas they’d prefer you not to go? Can you have guests over? Are you expected to water plants a certain number of times a week? 
• Ask about pets’ health / eating / general routines. If the pets have an underlying medical condition, you need to know about it. You’ll also need to know their routine so you can stick to it as closely as possible.
• Meet the homeowners and pets if possible. This is for your benefit as well as theirs. You want to make sure their home is appropriate for you and see what you need to bring. Make sure you can handle the pets. Of course, face-to-face meetings aren’t always possible – but video chats can be a good back-up.
• Ask for a list of contacts. This is necessary in case you have plumbing / electrical issues, lock yourself out of the house, or need an emergency vet. Always ask homeowners what their preference is in case of an emergency. Do they want to be contacted, or do they have a neighbour or family member to call in case of emergency?

Avoid:

• Being dishonest. Always be upfront about yourself: where you work, why you are house sitting, who is going to be staying in the house. Be realistic about the fact that homeowners are trusting a complete stranger in their home, and with their pets. If someone is advertising for one person only, and you’re a couple, don’t apply.
• Leaving the house overnight. Especially when there are pets – this is a big no-no. If you have prior engagements, such as an overnight wedding, be upfront and tell them – perhaps someone can stand in for the night – but never leave the home and pets unattended overnight if you are expected to be there. They are your responsibility.
• Waiting to tell owners if pets are sick or missing. Again, this is a no-no. Make sure to call the emergency contact as soon as an issue arises, even if you think it’s minor.
• Having people over or throwing a party. Unless you know the owners or they have said it’s okay, don’t invite guests to come over, especially overnight. 

House sitting is a wonderful thing to do but communication is the key. Every person and every house sit is different – so talk to the homeowners, be honest, and everything should go to plan!