Housesitting 101: What Are the Duties of a Housesitter?

If you’re considering getting started as a housesitter, you might be wondering, what are the duties of a housesitter? Housesitting is an increasingly popular arrangement that benefits both homeowners and housesitters. It’s great for homeowners because they gain peace of mind knowing their property and pets are cared for, while housesitters often enjoy a temporary change of scenery without the burden of rent. 

With that said, housesitting comes with a range of responsibilities to ensure everything runs smoothly during the homeowner’s absence. 

Here are some of the duties of a housesitter you should keep in mind! 

My Housesitting Experience 

I began housesitting with TrustedHousesitters at the end of 2023 and have completed four housesits since then! I started out with housesits in the UK (South Wales) and recently did another sit in Dublin, Ireland. 

Housesitting offers a great way to see new places without having to spend money on accommodation. I’ve loved my housesitting experiences so far and am currently writing this blog from a housesit in Cardiff, Wales! 

I love helping others get into housesitting so please feel free to DM me on Instagram if you have any questions. 

Duties of a Housesitter

1. General Property Care

The first duty of a housesitter is to maintain the general upkeep of the property. This includes routine tasks such as:

• Cleaning: Regular cleaning of living spaces, including dusting, vacuuming, and mopping floors. Keeping the kitchen and bathrooms clean is crucial to prevent pests and maintain hygiene.
• Gardening: If the property has a garden or outdoor plants, watering them regularly is essential. Depending on the season, this might also include weeding, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves.
• Mail and Packages: It’s important to collect all mail to avoid theft and make it known that someone is watching the home while the homeowners are away. 

2. Security Measures

Ensuring the security of the home is essential when you’re housesitting. Some duties include: 

• Locking and Unlocking: Ensuring all doors and windows are securely locked when leaving the property, even for short periods.
• Alarm Systems: Managing any alarm systems, including arming and disarming them as necessary. You should be familiar with security protocols in case of an emergency. 
• Lights: Using lights strategically to give the illusion that people are always home. This might include turning lights on and off at different times or using timers.

3. Pet Care

I’d say that 99% of housesits involve petcare so you must be willing and able to tend to the homeowner’s pets while they’re away. Common pet care duties are:

• Feeding and Watering: Ensuring pets have fresh food and water according to their regular schedule.
• Exercise: Walking dogs or engaging in playtime for animals that need physical activity.
• Cleaning: Managing litter boxes, cages, or tanks, and cleaning up any pet-related messes.
• Medication: Administering any required medications or treatments, with clear instructions from the pet owner.

4. Home Maintenance

In addition to general upkeep, housesitters are sometimes responsible for more specific maintenance tasks:

• Plumbing and Electrical: Addressing minor issues like a leaking faucet or a tripped breaker. Major problems should be reported to the homeowner immediately.
• HVAC Systems: Managing heating and cooling systems to maintain a comfortable environment and prevent damage to the property.
• Trash and Recycling: Taking out trash and recycling on designated days to keep the property clean and free of pests.

5. Communication

Effective communication with the homeowner is a critical aspect of housesitting. This aspect can be easily overlooked and takes practice to ensure you’re communicating effectively during a housesit. This involves:

• Regular Updates: Providing updates on the status of the home and pets, either through email, text, or scheduled phone calls. The frequency and method of updates are usually agreed upon beforehand. Every homeowner will feel differently about updates – some will want multiple updates per day, while others will only want updates every few days. 
• Reporting Issues: Promptly reporting any problems or emergencies, such as plumbing issues, security breaches, or pet health concerns.

6. Emergency Preparedness

Housesitters must be prepared to handle emergencies. This includes:

• Emergency Contacts: Knowing who to contact in case of an emergency, including neighbours, local repair services, and emergency services. If you’re housesitting internationally, make yourself aware of that country’s emergency number in case anything goes wrong. 
• First Aid: Basic knowledge of first aid for both humans and pets. This isn’t usually a strict requirement but is a good thing to know for possible emergencies. 
• Evacuation Plans: Familiarity with the property’s layout and any evacuation plans in case of natural disasters or other emergencies. Always make sure you have an escape route!

7. Respect for Homeowner’s Property and Privacy

Respecting the homeowner’s property and privacy is crucial. Each homeowner will have different levels of privacy so ensure you have a clear understanding of it before you housesit for them. This includes:

• Restricted Areas: Adhering to any off-limit areas specified by the homeowner. Ask beforehand to avoid any awkward situations. 
• Personal Belongings: Not using or tampering with the homeowner’s personal belongings without permission.
• Confidentiality: Keeping any personal information about the homeowner private.

8. Additional Duties

Depending on the specific arrangement, housesitters may have additional duties, such as:

• Grocery Shopping: Restocking basic groceries if the homeowner returns late or if the stay is extended.
• Event Management: Managing any scheduled maintenance or events, such as letting in repair technicians or hosting a scheduled gathering.
• Special Requests: Fulfilling any special requests from the homeowner, which should be discussed and agreed upon before the housesitting begins.

Get a Discount on TrustedHousesitters

Ready to start your housesitting journey?

Get 25% OFF TrustedHousesitters’ membership using code SPELLBOUND25!

Other Blogs You Might Enjoy

• How to Get a Cheaper Airbnb: 7 Tactics to Get a Discount!
• Looking For a Cheap European Country to Visit? Must Read
• Find Remote Jobs Online: Easy Ways to Start
• Healthy Hostel Meal Ideas: Vegan + Easy to Make
• Living Abroad on a Budget: 11 Ways to Save Money

Final Thoughts on Housesitting

Housesitting is a rewarding responsibility that requires a blend of attentiveness, reliability, and communication. By understanding and fulfilling these duties, a housesitter can ensure a smooth and worry-free experience for both themselves and the homeowner. Whether caring for pets, maintaining the property, or managing emergencies, each task contributes to the overall peace of mind and satisfaction of both parties involved.

I’ll be back shortly with a new blog but in the meantime, you can follow my adventures as a full-time traveller and digital nomad on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! 

Cheers, 

Amy xx 

P.S. Like this post or found it helpful? Consider buying me a coffee or share it with a friend 👇🏼