How do you find a good house sitter?

So you’re going away for an extended period of time and need someone to keep an eye on things at home.

Perhaps you have pets who need caring for, a garden that needs some maintenance, or you’re just security conscious and value someone being in your home.

A house sitter can be a great solution. But how do you find a reliable one, so you won’t come home to a disaster?

Etiquette expert and founder of The Good Manners Company, Anna Musson, shares her expertise.

1. What should you look for in a house sitter?

A referral from a friend is always the best way to find a house sitter and asking around can be a good option before trying online sites.

Consider asking them these questions:

• Do they like pets?
• Do they smoke?
• Are they a good cook? (If they say no, hide your good pans)
• Have they done much house sitting?
• Do they work? If so, what hours do they work?
• Would they be bringing their partner, pet or children with them?

2. What kind of instructions should you leave for a house sitter?

Set them up for success with an informative sheet about the house and consider making up a folder if you plan to be away often. Include helpful information like:

• Your contact details and alternative contact
• Emergency numbers
• Rubbish collection days
• How to use the washing machine
• Neighbours’ names
• Mail collection
• Public transport
• Body corporate rules
• House rules (such as no go areas, or ‘don’t use the insinkerator’)
• How to use the internet/TV system

3. Should you have some kind of agreement?

It’s always better to have a sharing agreement so they are aware of the boundaries and you have an agreed understanding. A house sitting agreement can be a one-page document for each party to sign which includes handling of:

• Exchange of keys
• Timing of access to the property
• Payment details
• Pets being cared for
• Cars, boats, bikes being used
• Replacement for damaged/broken items
• Notice period for change of circumstances (such as leaving in case of emergency)
• Emergency contact numbers
• Agreement to act with best intentions to care for the property
• Terms for vacating
• Plants to be watered
• General household care

House sitters are a great solution for when you have pets and need to travel.

4. How can you be a great housesitter?

• Housesitting often relies on referrals, so take photos of their happy pets, be friendly to the neighbours, bring the mail in and treat the house as you would your favourite Aunt’s place.
• If your owners strike you as the fastidious type, take photos before you settle in so you can replace the cushions the way they were on arrival.
• Make sure you leave the place spotless.
• Change the sheets and let them know you’ve done so when they arrive home they don’t have to strip the beds and wash the sheets themselves.
• Send an email or SMS or leave a note on the bench next to some flowers from their garden. The note might read:

“Welcome home John and Susan! Thank you for having me in your lovely home. The plants were watered, and dogs fed and walked (and cuddled) this morning. 

 I have changed the sheets in the guest bedroom and they are in the washing machine. Please let me know if you ever need my services again, I would be very happy to come back for your next holiday. 

Kind regards,

Mary Jones”

It’s important to leave the house spotless when you’re house sitting.

5. What are the most common things that go wrong in a house sitting situation?

Not having all the emergency numbers can leave a house sitter feeling overwhelmed should something go wrong. Pets can become ill, pipes can burst, the internet can go down and solving problems when you are a stranger to the house/overseas in a different time zone, is stressful.

Specify no parties allowed, why dogs must be allowed out (lest they wee inside) and don’t leave the house messy, or eat the entire contents of their fridge and pantry during the stay.