House Sitting

A house sitter is someone who takes care of your home while the usual occupants or owners are away. This could be a home, apartment, condo or even an otherwise empty tract of land which needs some care while the regular occupants are doing something else. The general idea is that they will keep a home up to “lived in” condition.

TL;DR

Know what you want and just need the links?

Register as a house sitter:

Register my home for house sitting

Find a house sitter

Find a home to sit

Contracts – Get It In Writing

The specific duties vary by property or contract, whether verbal or written, so take care that they are understood by everyone involved. You can start with a service agreement, which you can get for free online, adjusted for several countries or territories.

Some of the common tasks can include:

• Switch lights on/off to show activity
• Run plumbing to keep traps “wet”
• Light cleaning
• Light repairs/maintenance
• Pet care
• Plant care
• Yard care
• Pool care
• Lodging
• Payment
• Vehicle use

Compensation – Pay or Not

Many house sitting gigs offer pay, either by the hour or by the contract, while others can just be an easy way for digital nomads to have a nice place to stay. This typically includes use of the home and associated facilities so make sure any special instructions are spelled out in your contract.

Pay expectations for housesitting vary tremendously around the globe and by details of the housesitting gig. Someone who already lives in the area and is just checking on your house periodically may be fine with $20-$50 per day/night while someone who is staying in your home may be happy with anything from $0 per night for a nice home in a good location on up.

For professional house-sitters with a good reputation, annual pay may top $50,000 per year. This will often come from multiple gigs, though long engagements with a more permanent caretaker arrangement are not unusual.

Internet – WiFi and More

With the increasing importance of internet access, make sure to spell out and special instructions related to WiFi or other internet access. You will greatly improve your available pool of qualified house sitters if you can offer good internet access while they care for your home.

Make sure to include instructions if you have particularly complicated home security, audio, television or similar systems.

Schedule Expectations

If you have a particular need for something around the home to take place at a particular time or on particular days, make sure it is in the instructions. This can range from expected deliveries or service calls to garbage days with instructions to placement and retrieval of garbage bins. Also note that recycling expectations vary tremendously so be sure to provide an relevant local instructions where needed.

Try to give warning if you know that a particularly noisy event, such as garbage pickup, happens when people on more casual schedule may be resting. Nobody likes to be surprised by loud noises in an otherwise quite neighborhood.

Food – Restaurants, Shopping

Instructions for your home care should include recommendations for local restaurants, grocery and other shopping. It is also increasingly common to include suggestions about things to do in the area.

While food is not commonly included with housesitting engagements, it can make a good impression if any fresh foods which may spoil are made available and specifically mentioned in your contract. For seasonal and extended engagements, it is more common to include open access to pantry items, spices and other supplies around the home.

Remember that food is not a substitute for pay unless negotiated in advance. Leaving a bunch of leftovers in your fridge/freezer is not pay and may not be appreciated, particularly by someone with different tastes in food or even allergies which that gesture more of a burden to throw away.

Pets & Pet Sitting

Pet care may be included in a housesitting contract but definitely needs to be spelled our in the contract. Whether you are seeking the common dog sitting / cat sitting, or less common range of bird sitting, fish sitting, rabbit sitting, guinea pig sitting or even more exotic pets, make sure to carefully include details about feeding (times/amounts), cleaning, medications, veterinarian contacts, walking instructions and more.

Finding a Match

Finding a match, whether for someone to care for your home or for a place you might want to stay and “sit”, can be quite a challenge when you are trying to make the connection one-on-one. As with many aspects of internet activities, fraud is a real concern so having a solid recommendation can go a long way towards assuring that the gig is legitimate or that the sitter will take proper care of your home.

Fortunately, there are a number of resources available to help you to find a good match. Here are a sampling of our favorites:

• HouseSitMatch – registration/rating system for house sitters and homes in need of sitters in many countries around the world. This site also offers a blog of helpful topics relevant to both sides of a house sitting transaction.
• HouseCarers –
• TrustedHouseSitters – Global house pet sitting website offering up to 40% commission for all sales. Sitters travel near or far to keep pets happy at home, whilst their owners can travel with peace of mind knowing their sitter is there to make memories, not money.

Find a Place To Sit

As a professional house sitter, finding new houses to sit for is a crucial aspect of your job. Whether you are just starting out or have been in the business for a while, continuously finding new opportunities is important for growth and financial stability. Here are some tips on how to find houses to sit for as a professional house sitter:

1. Utilize House Sitting Websites: There are a number of websites dedicated to connecting house sitters with homeowners. These websites, such as TrustedHousesitters, HouseSitMatch and MindMyHouse, offer a platform for homeowners to post their sitting needs, and for house sitters to apply and be considered for the job. By creating a profile and actively searching for new opportunities, you can increase your chances of being selected for a house sitting job.
2. Utilize Social Media: Social media can be a powerful tool for finding new house sitting opportunities. Join house sitting groups on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to network with other sitters and homeowners. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family members who may know of someone who is in need of a house sitter.
3. Attend Homeowner Association Meetings: If you live in a community with a homeowner’s association, consider attending their meetings. Not only will you get a chance to meet other homeowners in the community, but you can also discuss your services with those in attendance who may need a house sitter in the future.
4. Reach Out to Real Estate Agents: Real estate agents often work with homeowners who are in need of house sitters, so reaching out to agents in your area can be a great way to find new opportunities. Offer to provide them with your information and business cards, so they can refer you to their clients who need a sitter.
5. Offer Your Services to Homeowners You Meet: You never know who may be in need of a house sitter, so it’s important to always have your business cards on hand. Offer your services to homeowners you meet, whether it’s at the grocery store, in a local coffee shop, or at a community event.

By using these tips, you can increase your chances of finding new houses to sit for as a professional house sitter. Remember to always be professional, prompt, and courteous when interacting with homeowners, as a positive reputation is key to success in this field.

Find Pets To Sit

As a professional house sitter, one of the key responsibilities is often caring for pets. Finding the right pet to sit for can be a challenge, but with a few tips and strategies, it can become a seamless and enjoyable part of your job.

1. Utilize House Sitting Websites: There are a variety of websites designed specifically for house sitters and pet sitters to connect with homeowners who need their services. Sites like TrustedHousesitters, MindMyHouse, and HouseSitMatch are all great places to start your search for pet sitting opportunities.
2. Reach Out to Friends and Family: Your friends and family members may know of someone in need of a pet sitter, so be sure to reach out to them and ask if they have any leads. You may also consider joining local pet-related groups on social media platforms like Facebook to network and find potential clients.
3. Ask Your Current Clients for Referrals: If you have clients who are happy with your pet sitting services, ask them if they know of anyone else who may be in need of a pet sitter. Word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising, so don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from satisfied customers.
4. Offer Your Services to Local Pet Businesses: If you live in an area with pet-related businesses, such as a pet store or veterinary clinic, consider reaching out to them and offering your services. They may have clients in need of a pet sitter, or they may be able to refer you to someone who is.
5. Be Prepared and Professional: When you are in the process of finding pet sitting jobs, it is important to be prepared and professional at all times. Be sure to have a detailed and up-to-date resume, a portfolio of your previous pet sitting experience, and references available to provide to potential clients. You should also be prepared to answer any questions about your experience and qualifications.

When it comes to finding pets to sit for as a professional house sitter, it is all about networking, being prepared, and putting yourself out there. Utilize the resources available to you, such as house sitting websites and local pet-related businesses, and don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from satisfied clients. With a little bit of effort and patience, you will find the right pets to sit for and continue to grow your pet sitting business.