Establishing house rules for your house sitters

Creating clear guidelines for house sitters is important to ensure your expectations are met, your home is well-maintained, and your pets are properly cared for in your absence.

To avoid any misunderstandings, it’s good practice for homeowners to establish house rules up front about the “do’s and don’ts” regarding your personal property. Here we’ve compiled a list of some key points you might wish to include: 

General Guidelines

1.    Arrival and Departure: 

• Specify what time you want your sitters to arrive as well as whether you want them to be at the house when you return.
• Provide instructions for collecting and returning keys.

2.    Contact Information:

• Provide your contact details and a list of phone numbers for emergency contacts.
• Give the details of your local vet in case of any issues.

3.    House Security:

• Instructions for using security systems, locks, and gates.
• Guidelines for when the house should be locked.

Daily Responsibilities

1.    Pet Care:

• Detailed feeding schedule including the times and quantities.
• Specific food and treats for pets.
• Exercise and playtime requirements. Favourite toys and activities.
• Instructions for administering any medications or specific care instructions.

2.    Plant and Garden Care:

• Watering schedule and instructions for indoor and outdoor plants.
• Instructions on any gardening, mowing or weeding tasks.

3.    Mail and Deliveries:

• Instructions for collecting and storing mail and packages.
• What to do with any deliveries.

House Maintenance

1.    Cleanliness:

• Expectations for cleaning and tidiness.
• Location of cleaning supplies and equipment.

2.    Appliance Use:

• Guidelines for using kitchen appliances, laundry machines, and other household devices.
• Any restrictions on appliance use.

3.    Rubbish and Recycling:

• Schedule for rubbish and recycling pick-up.
• Locations of rubbish bags, recycling bins, and compost bins 

Utilities and Amenities

1.    Heating and Cooling:

• Instructions for use of the air conditioning and fireplace, if applicable.
• Any restrictions on temperature settings.

2.    Water and Electricity:

• Guidelines for conserving water and electricity.
• Instructions for any unusual systems (e.g. septic systems, solar power).

3.    Internet and Entertainment:

• Wi-Fi password and any usage restrictions.
• Instructions for using the TV, streaming services, or gaming consoles.

Safety and Emergencies

1.    Emergency Procedures:

• Instructions for dealing with fires, floods, or other emergencies.
• Location of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency exits.

2.    Health and Safety:

• Any known hazards in the house (e.g. slippery stairs, loose rugs).
• Instructions for safely using any hazardous items (e.g. tools, pool or garden chemicals).

Personal Preferences

1.    Guests and Visitors:

• Rules about having guests over.
• Guidelines for overnight visitors.

2.    Noise and Neighbourhood Etiquette:

• Quiet hours and noise restrictions.
• Any specific neighbourhood rules or expectations.

3.    Smoking and Alcohol:

• Smoking policy.
• Guidelines for alcohol consumption.

4. Out of Bounds Areas and Food Consumption:

• Specify any areas of the house, garage etc. you don’t want the sitters to access.
• Let the sitters know what food, condiments, drinks etc. are ok to use. Also advise if there there are specific foods or alcohol the sitter is not to touch.
• Advise whether your books, CDs, record player, etc. are they available for use, or shouldn’t be touched.

Communication and Contact

1.    Regular Updates:

• How often you would like to receive any updates and your preferred method (text, email, phone call).
• Specific information you want to be updated on (pet’s behaviour, any issues with the house, etc.).

Additional Notes

1.    Special Instructions:

• Any other specific instructions unique to your home.
• Contact details for neighbours or friends who can help if needed.

2.    Departure Checklist:

• Final cleaning tasks.
• Instructions for returning keys and any final steps before leaving.

Providing a written copy of these guidelines for your sitter can help ensure everything runs smoothly. The “Welcome Info Pack” located in your My Account menu is a great tool to utilise for this purpose.

By clearly communicating your expectations and providing detailed instructions, you can ensure a smooth and worry-free experience for both you and your house sitters.