This a sample house manual for a homeowner in preparation for a house sitter.
It is just a guide to get you started, if you would like to use these guidelines there is a template that can be downloaded in the Resources Library which you can then print out.
Or you can download it here, House Manual Template for Housesitters
Our House Manual
Welcome to our home! We’re delighted to share it with you through Hombie. To ensure a smooth and respectful experience for everyone, please read and follow the house rules below.
As per our Hombie listing, smoking is not permitted inside or outside our home.
Property Information
Address: 12 Seabreeze Drive, Palm Cove, QLD 4879
Lockbox Code: 4482 (located beside the front door behind the potted plant)
WiFi:
Network: Telstra 45D7G4
Password: stayrelaxed2025
Contact Numbers
Primary Contact: Sarah – 0412 345 678
Secondary Contact: Daniel – 0413 987 654
Emergency Contact Numbers
Neighbour: Louise Thompson – 0415 111 222 – House #10
Family Close By: Michael Jones (Sarah’s brother) – 0408 555 333
Power Supply Provider: Queensland Energy – 1300 345 678
Local Council: Cairns Regional Council – 1300 692 247
Police / Fire / Ambulance: 000
Unexpected Issues: Contact Sarah first, or Daniel if unreachable. A local handyman’s number is on the fridge in case of maintenance issues. For emergencies contact police/fire/ambulance directly.
Our Pets
Leroy (the bigger male dog) 9 years old
Jessie (the smaller female dog) 7 years old
Tabatha – our cat, 5 years old
All 3 get along well. Although you need to separate them at feed time.
Breakfast (I feed them around 7am)
Leroy and Jessie get 2 biscuits only for breakfast.
Walks
Morning walk approx. 6-7am as its now too hot to walk after 8.
Always walk them at least 2 hours after eating please. (the biscuits are ok) I usually walk in Winter between 3 and 4 , Summer 530-7
Leroys lead is the black one with the check chain, Jessies is the pink lead with the halti.
She is a circler so be careful she doesn’t get around your legs and trip you up. She has improved since using the halti lead.
They love to swim in the pool so let them in when you get home to cool off.
Dinner (around 4-5pm if possible)
Leroy: Handful of meatballs in the garage fridge plus 1-1/4 cups of kibble plus 4 rows of 4cyte (joint food) in the packet on the laundry counter in the dog plastic box.
Jessie: Handful of meatballs plus 1 cup of kibble plus 3 rows of 4 cyte.
Please separate them as Jessie will steal Leroy’s food.
Please don’t overfeed them as they are better thinner than fatter being big dogs.
Meatballs from Coles 4 paws chicken only otherwise they get the runs. I have left some in the fridge to start you off and cash to buy more when needed.
Heartworm Pills
1st of each month. Leroy 1 whole tablet, Jessie ¾ of a tablet. Push them into the meatballs and follow with another meatball and put with the rest of the food.
Valueheart in white and yellow box in dog box on laundry counter.
General
They like to be inside with you while you are here. If you go out please put them down the side of the house with their shed door open during the day, open at night if it is hot with the fan on.
In winter please close the door and if its raining.
They both have inside beds. I keep them inside after 6/7 but let them out to pee if needed. They will let you know. To get them back inside offer them a biscuit.
Two dog biscuits each at bed time, smaller box on the first bottom shelf.
If you go out for long periods please grab their KONGS (Leroy large, Jessie small) and fill with broken dog biscuits and plug with peanut butter keeps them occupied for a bit and turn the fan on in their shed as It’s so hot at the moment.
I bag the poop and put the bag in the bucket in the garden till garbage day. Put all the bags into a big bag tie it off and put in the garbage bin on Tuesday night or first thing Wednesday morning.
Tabatha
Tabatha is fed 1 pouch of Whiskas in the morning away from the dogs and 1 pouch after you have your dinner. She will come back for feeding time but you wont see much of her during the day. She will be lying around in the sun somewhere.
When you are watching television she will come to you for a cuddle. Keep her inside after dinner so she doesn’t roam around at night.
Keys and Access Notes
- Spare keys: In top left drawer in the table in the entry
- Garage remote: Hanging in garage next to the switch that opens the door
Mail & Deliveries
- Please accept packages or deliveries.
- Please collect our mail for us.
Rubbish & Recycling
Bin Days: Place on kerb the night before
- General waste: Monday
- Recycling: Every second Monday alternatively with green waste. (Watch neighbours bin to see which week is recycling).
- Green waste: Every second Monday alternatively with recycling
Please place bins on the kerb the night before.
Replacement bin liners are located under the kitchen sink.
Indoors
Solar Power
As we are on solar, power is best used during daylight hours. Please be mindful of consumption.
Dishwasher
Use eco-cycle with provided tablets under the sink. It is set for eco, just press the power button, then on button.
Washing Machine
Use cold wash only. Detergent provided for front loader. Press power on, then start.
Other Appliances
Just the basics you are welcome to use.
Gas Cooker
Auto-ignite. Ensure knobs are turned fully off after use. Extra gas bottle outside kitchen, just turn lever to new bottle and let us know the existing bottle has ran out so we can order more gas.
Oven
Turn on, set temperature, timer, then type of cooking, then start.
Fireplace
Indoor gas unit, switch on wall to the right then turn lever on unit down, then press ignition button to ignite. Do not leave on unattended.
Air Conditioner
Split system – use remotes which are on wall by light switches. Please turn off when not at home.
TV & Streaming
Smart TV with Netflix, Stan, and Disney+ (use Guest profile). Remote and guide in drawer below. To change to local TV channel go to home, you will find the live tv app or press the channel guide button on the remote.
Security Code
Alarm panel near front door. Arm when leaving and disarm upon return.
Code: 1945
Indoor Plants
Please water weekly during your stay. Please do not over water. Please do not allow water to run onto timber work.
Bedroom Linen
All beds are freshly made. Extra pillows and blankets are stored in the hallway cupboard.
Outdoors
Pool / Sauna / Spa
Pool is salt water and self cleaning. The pool cleaner comes every third Wednesday of the month
BBQ
The bbq has plenty of gas. Please make sure the bbq is clean when leaving.
Gates
Both side gates are locked, the key is on the main key ring.
Lawns & Garden
No maintenance required. Our gardener comes on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. They have their own keys.
Watering System
Fully automatic to turn on at 6.30am . No action needed.
Vehicles or Boats
As previously discussed you are welcome to use our Toyota RAV4 for local use only.
- Keys in top drawer on kitchen bench
- A user agreement must be signed by both parties and a copy forwarded to us.
- The vehicle should be returned clean and full of fuel.
- Only pre-approved drivers covered by our insurance may drive
- Any incidents must be reported immediately
Local Shops & Essentials
- Supermarket: Woolworths 89 Abbott st, Cairns
- Pharmacy: Terry White Chemist 179 Abbott st,
- Bottle Shop / Bakery / ATM: All at Cairns city shopping mall
- Hospital / GP Clinic: Cairns hospital
Our Favourite Local Eateries, Cafes & Places to Visit
Let us help you enjoy the area like a local! Some of our favourites include:
- Best coffee: Coffee Haven, best coffee in town, 5-min walk down the esplanade
- Casual dining: The Reef Grill, seafood by the beach, stunning sunset views
- Something special: Barrier Reef Day Trip, best one is Pro Dive Cairns if you are divers otherwise Quicksilver.
- Family-friendly: Rainforest Walk, 3km shaded trail through native bushland – entry behind community centre
- Markets / Day trips: Palm Market Sundays, local produce, crafts, and live music
- Sightseeing: Coral Bay Lookout, Breathtaking sunrise view, a short drive up Palm Ridge
Safety & Essentials
- Fire extinguisher: Located in kitchen cupboard by the fridge.
- First aid kit: Located in kitchen drawer next to dishwasher
Cleaning Supplies
- Vacuum, mop, broom: Located in laundry. The automatic cleaner is set to turn on at 10.00am each day. If it annoys you press the off button, then the home button and it will cease cleaning and go back to its base.
Cleaning sprays, cloths: In laundry
If Children Are Staying
- High chair and cot available in the second room from garage on the left
- Toys and books in same room. Help yourself, if you can just leave it how you found it, that would be great
- Please supervise children near stairs and the pool or water.
Move-Out Day Checklist
We greatly appreciate you leaving the home ready for our return. Before you go, please:
Beds
Please wash all linen used and re make the beds.
Floors
Please vacuum and mop the floors. When mopping the timber floors please don’t use too much water. The timber floor cleaner is in the laundry cupboard.
Cleanliness
- Please clean showers and toilets
- Wipe down kitchen benches
- Empty kitchen tidy bins
- Empty dishwasher
- Please leave our home as clean as you found it
Security
- Lock all doors and windows
- Return keys to the table in the entry (in the top drawer)
Set the alarm
Feedback
We’d love to hear about your stay! Please leave us a constructive review via Hombie.
If you have any questions during your stay, feel free to contact us. We hope you enjoy our home and the local experience!
Warm regards,
Sarah and Daniel
