How to Prepare for House Sitters

In this article you will learn what is required to prepare your home for house sitters.

The following summarises what is involved in getting your home ready for your house sitter.

1. Preparing Your Home
2. Stock the essentials
3. Organise pet care (if applicable)
4. Create a house manual
5. Outdoor and Garden Care
6. Prepare for their arrival
7. Communication and Final Touches
8. Bonus Tips

1: Prepare Your Home

Before your house sitter arrives, take time to ensure your home is clean, comfortable, and ready to host. Think of it as setting the stage for a trusted guest to care for your space as if it were their own.

• Clean and declutter key areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and guest bedroom. A tidy environment not only shows respect but also helps the sitter feel at ease and more inclined to maintain that standard during their stay.
• Provide fresh bedding and towels for your sitter. Whether they’re staying for a weekend or a month, it’s important they feel welcome and comfortable.
• Clear some space in cupboards, drawers, or the fridge for their personal items. Even a small gesture like an empty drawer and shelf in the bathroom makes a big difference.
• Secure valuables and personal documents in a locked drawer, cupboard, or off-site. This protects your privacy and removes any awkwardness from the arrangement.
• Check that all appliances and systems are working properly, like the stove, hot water, heating/cooling, and smoke alarms. Leave instructions for anything that’s quirky or less intuitive.

Creating a welcoming and well-organized home is the first step in setting the tone for a successful house sit.

2: Stock the Essentials

While your home doesn’t need to be fully stocked, leaving a few thoughtful essentials helps your house sitter feel comfortable and cared for from the moment they arrive.

• Kitchen Staples: Provide tea, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, and pepper. If possible, add milk, bread, butter, or snacks in the fridge — especially helpful for late arrivals when shops are closed.
• Cleaning Supplies: Keep dishwashing liquid, sponges, surface spray, laundry detergent, and a broom or vacuum clearly visible. Don’t forget toilet paper, spare bin liners, and paper towels in relevant areas.

3: Organize Pet Care

If your house sitter will be looking after pets, this will be the most important part of your preparation. Clear instructions and good organization ensure your pets remain safe, happy, and well cared for while you’re away.

• Create a detailed pet care guide (usually part of the house manual) covering feeding schedules, portion sizes, walk times, exercise needs, medication instructions (if any), and your pet’s habits or quirks. Include their favourite toys, hiding spots, and any behavioural tips that could help the sitter understand their routine.  Maybe describe what a typical day looks like for your pet.
• Stock up on enough supplies for the entire stay, food, treats, medications, poo bags, kitty litter, grooming tools, and cleaning materials in case of accidents. In the case of fresh pet food, allow enough funds to replenish the supply as needed.
• Leave emergency information, such as your vet’s contact details, and a local emergency clinic. Include a written permission note in case the sitter needs to authorise treatment while you’re away.
• Introduce your pets to the sitter in advance, as its good to see first hand interaction with the pet to see if they are a good fit. A short visit or video call can help build rapport, reduce pet anxiety, and allow the sitter to ask any pet-specific questions.

When pets are involved, preparation is all about peace of mind, for you, for your sitter, and most importantly, for your furry family members.

4: Create a House Manual

A simple, easy-to-follow house manual is one of the most valuable tools you can leave for your sitter.

It acts as their go-to guide for everything related to your home, pets, and local area, making it easier for them to care for things in your absence.

 What to Include:

• Wi-Fi details
  Include the network name and password, as well as instructions for reconnecting if needed.
• Appliance and system instructions
  Cover anything that might be tricky or unfamiliar, such as the washing machine, heating/cooling, alarm system, garage door, or irrigation timer.
• Security info
  Alarm codes, how to lock windows or doors properly, and any sensors or camera systems (and whether the sitter is expected to monitor them).
• Garbage and recycling
  Include collection days, what goes in which bin, and where to place them for pickup.
• Emergency contacts
  • Your contact details (phone and email)
  • Trusted neighbour, friend, or family member
  • Local trades (plumber, electrician)
  • Vet (if pets are involved)
• Pet Care Explain everything about your pets, the more detail the better they are going to stick to their routine.
• House rules
  Be clear and respectful by covering topics such as no smoking, areas off-limits, whether guests are allowed, and pet-specific boundaries (e.g., not allowed on furniture).
• Local tips
  Include suggestions for cafes, supermarkets, walking trails, medical clinics, and public transport. Sitters new to your area will appreciate the insider info.

Place the manual in a visible location, like the kitchen bench, entry or lounge. 

5: Outdoor and Garden Care

If your home includes outdoor spaces, a garden, or other exterior features, it’s important to communicate expectations clearly so your sitter knows what (if anything) they need to maintain.

• Tidy outdoor areas
  Mow the lawn, sweep patios or verandas, and clear any clutter or debris. A neat yard gives a good impression and makes your sitter feel more at home.
• Leave watering instructions
  If you have pot plants, veggie gardens, or garden beds that need attention, leave simple instructions: how much water, how often, and where watering cans or hoses are kept. Label plants if needed.
• Secure outdoor items
  Lock away garden tools, ladders, chemicals, or anything potentially hazardous or valuable. If you’d like the sitter to use items such as bikes or the BBQ, leave clear instructions and make sure everything is in working order.
• Pool or spa care (if applicable)
  Provide simple maintenance instructions for pools or spas and let the sitter know if a professional will attend during your absence.

By preparing your outdoor areas and setting realistic care expectations, you help your sitter manage things confidently and avoid any surprises.

6. Insurances

Mistakes happen, and sometimes items or property in your home may be accidentally damaged. It’s important to check with your insurance provider to understand how your current policy covers such situations. You may need to adjust or add to your policy to ensure full protection.

Check all of your policies.

• home
• contents
• other
• vehicle (if allowing use of the vehicle)
• marine craft (if allowing usage)

7: Prepare for Their Arrival

A little thoughtfulness goes a long way in making your sitter feel welcome and comfortable in your home. Creating a smooth arrival experience helps set the tone for mutual respect and care.

• Meet and Greet
  Ideally it is best that you and your pets meet the house sitter prior to arrival so they can familiarise themselves with your pets and home with you there. If this is not possible a video call or phone call is advisable at minimum.
• Provide keys and access instructions
  Choose a method that suits you, hand-delivered, a trusted neighbour, or a secure lockbox. If using a smart lock or alarm system, provide clear instructions and codes.
• Make space for the sitter’s belongings
  Clear a drawer or two, some wardrobe space, and a shelf in the fridge and bathroom. Don’t forget to supply some coat hangers for the wardrobe too.  It signals that they’re not just looking after your home, they’re staying in it.
• Set out clean bedding and towels
  Make the bed, fluff the pillows, and leave fresh towels, just as you would for a guest. It’s a simple courtesy that helps them settle in.
• Leave some essentials
  Stock basics like toilet paper, soap, dishwashing liquid, and perhaps tea, coffee, or milk for their first morning. Optional: a welcome note or small gift (chocolate, local treat) adds a nice personal touch.
• Do a quick walkthrough
  If you’re meeting in person, take time to walk them through the house, show key areas, and answer any questions. If not, leave clear notes or a video message in advance.

Welcoming your sitter warmly encourages them to treat your home with the same care and attention you’ve shown in preparing it.

8: Communication and Final Touches

Before you leave, taking a few final steps can make all the difference in ensuring your house sit runs smoothly and your sitter feels supported.

• Confirm key details
  Reconfirm arrival and departure times, how the handover will happen, and any last-minute instructions.
• Exchange preferred contact methods
  Make sure your sitter has your phone number, email, or preferred messaging app. Let them know when and how often you’d like updates (e.g., a quick message every couple of days, or only if needed).
• Walk through the home
  If you’re meeting in person, do a quick tour to go over key systems (alarm, heating, pet feeding, etc.). If not, leave a video or written walkthrough highlighting anything they’ll need to know.
• Leave a backup contact
  Provide a trusted friend, family member, or neighbour’s details in case the sitter needs urgent help and can’t reach you.
• Consider a small thank-you gesture
  A handwritten note, a small gift, or some snacks can go a long way in showing appreciation. It helps build goodwill, especially if you’d like to invite them back in the future.

These final touches help establish a sense of trust, appreciation, and mutual respect, essential ingredients for a successful house sit.

Bonus Tips

Looking to go above and beyond? These small extras can leave a lasting impression and make the experience more enjoyable for your sitter:

• Leave a list of local recommendations
  Include your favourite cafés, nearby grocery stores, parks, walking trails, and public transport options. It’s a nice way to help them feel like a local.
• Provide a guestbook or notebook
  Leave a place for your sitter to jot down notes, questions, or feedback. It can also serve as a reference for future sitters.
• Offer helpful extras
  If your sitter is caring for pets, consider leaving some toys, treats, or games. If your area is prone to storms or power outages, include a torch and emergency numbers.
• Leave a thank-you gift
  It doesn’t have to be extravagant, fresh flowers, a small local item, or a gift card shows you value their time and effort.

Final Words on Preparing for a House Sitter

Preparing for a house sitter is more than just cleaning up, it’s about setting the stage for a positive, stress-free experience for both of you.

A little planning goes a long way toward building trust, keeping your pets and home well cared for, and ensuring you return to everything just as you left it.

Whether you’re a seasoned host or welcoming a sitter for the first time, this preparation guide helps make your time away feel truly worry-free.

For a printable checklist or more house sitting resources, visit hombie.com 

Members of Hombie have free  templates, guides and manuals in the Knowledge Hub and Resources section of your Dashboard. Enjoy