First time and nervous about using a house sitter?

Every year, the Aussie House Sitters platform helps connect thousands of great house sitters with happy homeowners. That being said, we understand that using a house sitter for the first time can feel daunting.

Here are some suggestions for overcoming those nerves and ensuring you have a positive, stress-free experience for your first time (and many more to come).

Our tips for house sitting success

• Homeowners use house and pet sitters all the time. Aussie House Sitters facilitates over 50,000 successful house sits each year, not to mention many more sits arranged through other platforms and informal connections. The house sitting community in Australia is a lovely caring group of real people who see the many benefits of house sitting and pet care. As you explore our site and house sitter profiles, you’ll read many positive reviews and stories by homeowners and house sitters.
• Vet your house sitter until you’re comfortable. You can do as much vetting of your potential house sitter as you feel you need to. Read the reviews they have received from other homeowners on their profiles. You can always ask for contact details of the house sitter’s referees so you can speak with someone directly.
• Use a house sitter with the best credentials. If you’re feeling nervous about engaging your first sitter, you could narrow down options to only those who match certain criteria or traits that resonate with you. For example, you may prefer to only consider those who have verified their ID, have multiple 5 star reviews, and several contactable referees. This should hopefully give you some peace of mind.

• Meet in-person or by video call. If you are nervous, you should consider arranging a face-to-face meeting with the sitter first or, at the very least, a Zoom or Skype video chat. Meeting them this way can help give peace of mind and make them feel less like a stranger. An in-person meeting can also be an opportunity for a sitter to meet your pets in advance, so you can see how they might get along.
• First time house sitters might be bit nervous too. It can sometimes help knowing that house sitters may also feel nervous going into a home of someone they have never met. Many homeowners have commented that once they chat with a potential house sitter, they are put instantly at ease. Taking the time to meet or video call beforehand can help on both sides.
• Trust your gut feeling. If the sitter doesn’t feel quite right for you, then simply continue your search for another one that does. You are under no obligation to accept someone for your house sit just because they contacted you first or you contacted them.
• Posting a house sit ad doesn’t mean you’re locked in. You are not committed to using a house sitter just because you posted an ad. If you interview a few sitters and it still doesn’t feel right, then simply tell the sitters your plans have changed and cancel your ad.
• Using house sitters doesn’t suit everyone. Be aware that not all homeowners are suited to using house sitters (which is totally fine). If this is the case then it’s best to find another solution as you want to have peace of mind while you’re away.

• Keep up communication with your chosen sitter. When you’ve chosen your sitter, make it official by confirming them on the site. After the sitter is confirmed, don’t forget to stay in touch so you feel comfortable in the lead up to the sit. You can also ask the sitter to send you photos of your pets during the house sit to reassure you while you’re away.
• Consider using the House Sitting Agreement form. Some people like the security of a housesitting agreement where others may feel it isn’t necessary – it’s an individual choice. Most homeowners and house sitters come to their own arrangements without having to sign an agreement however, our house sitting agreement is for those homeowners and sitters who feel more comfortable having things written down on paper. It is a basic house sitting agreement form and can be adjusted to suit both your needs. 

By following a few simple steps, you will able to travel with peace of mind knowing your sitter is a like-minded person who will love and care for your home and pets just like you do.