House sitting etiquette – the do’s and dont’
In search of relevant content for House Sitting Magazine, I spend a lot of time reading comments on house sitting forums and social media sites. One topic that arises over and over is that of “unrealistic” house sitting expectations from either the house sitter or the home owner.
Sadly this often manifests as a post about an unhappy experience, for one or other involved. Maybe the house sitter duties weren’t clearly defined, or there was a misinterpretation about what the house owner should provide.
That’s not to say that house sitting doesn’t produce amazing, positive outcomes 99% of the time. It’s just that when house sits go wrong, it’s more likely to be reported, often as a way to understand how these situations can be avoided in the future.
Most misunderstandings come about because of a mismatch of expectations. When a transaction is entered into without payment, the parties involved often find it harder to lay down firm details of the house sitter responsibilities. A contract of trust is something many feel should be built passively. A lack of assertion in regard to house sitting duties, can lead to false impressions about what is expected.
What are the responsibilities of a house sitter?
Homeowners usually have very clear expectations of house sitters, they want:
- to leave their home and pets with people they can really trust and rely on.
- their house sitters to turn up and leave when expected.
- their pets cared for, fed and exercised in much the same way that they themselves would look after their fur families.
- to return to a clean and tidy home, with happy pets and a well tended pool, garden or outside area.
- a house sit report periodically while they’re away.
They might also want to establish a friendly relationship whereby they can call on you for a repeat house sit sometime in the future.
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