Free House Sitter Expectations: You Want Me To Do What?!

House sitting can be a rewarding experience, but understanding the expectations of a free house sitter can sometimes feel overwhelming. As a house sitter, one might be asked to do more than just water plants and feed pets. Understanding what’s normally covered and recognizing unrealistic expectations is key to a successful house sit.

The dictionary loosely defines housesitting as: “a person or persons who occupy a dwelling to provide security and maintenance while the owner is away” but it is so much more than that.

This guide breaks down typical responsibilities, highlights large tasks like garden and pool maintenance, and explores common misunderstandings. Learn about the importance of transparency, including managing utilities and cameras, and ensuring the homeowner and the house sitter are in constant communication.

By the end, sitters and homeowners will be better equipped to navigate any house comfortably, knowing exactly what’s expected and how to set up the arrangement for success.

Typical Free House Sitter Responsibilities

House sitting often involves tasks that ensure the home remains well-maintained and secure while the owners are away. Understanding these typical responsibilities is necessary for a smooth experience. As a house sitter, one might be expected to handle general home maintenance, care for pets, and manage basic household chores. These tasks are usually straightforward but require attention to detail and reliability.

A firm grasp of expectations will avoid misunderstandings and set clear guidelines. Here, we will outline responsibilities, helping the sitter and homeowner prepare for a successful house sitting assignment.

General Home Maintenance

General home maintenance includes basic tasks to keep the house in good order. This might involve light cleaning, removing trash, ensuring appliances are working properly, and possibly handling minor repairs. It’s ensuring the home remains tidy and functional during the owner’s absence.

Pet Care and Feeding

The focus here is the pet care and feeding responsibilities. This typically involves providing food and water, administering necessary medications, and ensuring pets get needed exercise and attention. Depending on the pets, it might include cleaning litter boxes, cages, or tanks.

Collecting Mail and Packages

Collecting mail and packages is another regular task. This means checking the mailbox regularly, bringing in any delivered packages, and ensuring they are kept securely. This helps prevent mail from piling up and signals to others that someone is home, which is important for home security.

Big and Time-Consuming Responsibilities

House sitting isn’t always just about simple tasks; sometimes, it involves more important and time-consuming responsibilities. These include caring for extensive gardens, maintaining pools, or handling unexpected home repairs. While these tasks can be more difficult, understanding what’s involved and preparing accordingly can make them manageable.

Knowing what to expect helps you plan your time effectively. This can make all the difference in offering excellent service and maintaining the home’s upkeep.

Pool Maintenance

Given the specialized knowledge and effort required, this responsibility might exceed the expectations of a free house sitter. Tasks such as checking and adjusting chemical levels, cleaning the pool, and ensuring the filtration system’s proper functioning require expertise. Poor pool maintenance can lead to water quality issues, equipment malfunctions, and potentially expensive repairs. Because of the importance of maintaining a safe and clean pool environment, homeowners may prefer to hire professional pool maintenance services rather than relying on a free house sitter.

Caring for Extensive Gardens

Caring for extensive gardens requires knowledge and dedication that may exceed the scope of responsibilities normally expected of a free house sitter. While basic maintenance tasks like watering and weeding are commonly included, the additional requirements of pruning, lawn mowing, and specialized plant care can demand significant effort and knowledge. Proper garden maintenance requires understanding the specific needs of various plants and areas, which may go beyond the skills or interests of a free house sitter.

Managing Unexpected Home Repairs

One of the major problems of house sitting is handling unforeseen home repairs. Addressing issues like plumbing leaks, electrical troubles, or appliance breakdowns involves quick thinking and problem-solving skills. Being prepared to handle these repairs, or knowing who to call for professional help will maintain the home’s integrity and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Such tasks are often beyond what a free house sitter is expected to handle as they involve time, stress, and sometimes money upfront.

Unrealistic Expectations of Free House Sitter

What is considered reasonable or unrealistic? While most house sitting duties are reasonable, sometimes homeowners may have unrealistic expectations. These can range from managing a rental property or Airbnb to providing extensive cleaning services. Set boundaries and ensure a fair arrangement by understanding what is considered unreasonable.

By recognizing these early on, you can discuss them with homeowners and avoid taking on more than you bargained for. Clear communication about what’s reasonable helps ensure a positive experience for you and the homeowner.

Looking After a Rental or Airbnb

It would be best if you avoided these at all costs. Expecting a free house sitter to manage a rental property or Airbnb is unrealistic because it involves running a business rather than simply caring for a home. This responsibility may include handling guest check-ins and check-outs, managing reservations, and dealing with issues during guests’ stays. It requires involvement and expertise beyond what is expected of a free house sitter, making it an unrealistic expectation.

Providing Extensive Cleaning Services

While house sitters are generally responsible for keeping the home clean, it is unreasonable to expect them to provide extensive cleaning duties. This might include deep cleaning carpets, scrubbing every surface, or undertaking major decluttering projects. House sitters are not professional cleaners, and such tasks can be time-consuming, physically demanding, and outside the scope of a typical house sitting arrangement.

Pet Care Expectations of a Free Pet Sitter

Pet care expectations are a big part of house sitting responsibilities. Owners often entrust their beloved pets to house sitters expecting they will receive proper care and attention while away. This includes feeding, walking, grooming, and administering any necessary medications.

From looking after multiple pets to addressing the needs of animals with special requirements, understanding these expectations is necessary for carrying out responsibilities effectively.

Looking after Multiple Pets

Adding more animals to the household without notifying the house sitter beforehand can be unfair and could greatly impact their ability to fulfill their responsibilities. The pets listed in the original arrangement are the ones that a house sitter has committed to. Adding more animals may upset their routine and make it difficult to handle feeding schedules, exercise requirements, and different personalities.

Ensuring each pet receives enough attention and care requires organization, patience, and familiarity with each animal’s needs and habits. Without prior notification, the house sitter may be overwhelmed by the increased workload, leading to stress and potential neglect of the pets’ needs.

Unexpected changes to the number of animals can affect the sitter’s ability to provide proper care and attention, potentially compromising the well-being of the pets and the overall success of the house sitting arrangement. Therefore, homeowners must communicate any changes to the pet count before the sitter’s arrival to ensure a fair and manageable workload.

Special Needs Pets

Some pets may have special needs due to age, medical conditions, or limitations. It may be necessary for house sitters to give prescription drugs, follow strict diet plans, or help with mobility problems. By recognizing and meeting these unique requirements, house sitters can ensure the comfort and well-being of the pets in their care.

Disclosing Animal Behaviour Truthfully

Failing to disclose accurate information about an animal’s behaviour can lead to misunderstandings and potentially dangerous situations for the house sitter and the pet. Be open and honest about any behavioural concerns, such as aggression, anxiety, or destructive tendencies, so the house sitter can take the necessary safety measures and give the proper care.

Transparency and Communication

Transparency and open communication are the foundation of a successful house sitting arrangement. This fosters trust and understanding between homeowners and house sitters. Here, we’ll explore the importance of transparency in areas such as disclosing cameras inside the property and discussing unpaid utility bills. Understanding transparency and communication is key to a peaceful and satisfying house sitting experience.

Importance of Transparency with a Free Pet Sitter

When homeowners are transparent about pet behaviour, home quirks, or possible problems, it helps house sitters prepare adequately and perform their duties well. Lack of transparency can lead to misunderstandings, stress, and even safety concerns for the house sitter.

Disclosing Cameras Inside the Property

Homeowners installing cameras inside the property without disclosing them to the house sitter can create feelings of mistrust and invasion of privacy. House sitters have the right to know if they are being monitored, for their comfort and sense of security while staying in someone else’s home. Failure to disclose cameras can strain the house-sitter-homeowner relationship and may lead to legal issues.

House-sitting services like Trusted House Sitters have policies prohibiting internal recording or monitoring devices, but allow exterior cameras for monitoring areas. All devices must be disclosed to the sitter before the sit begins.

Discussing Unpaid Utility Bills

Unpaid utility bills can make a home sitter’s stay less enjoyable by interfering with basic amenities like internet, water, and electricity. House sitters rely on these utilities to perform their responsibilities and maintain a comfortable living space. Homeowners must take care of any outstanding bills before the house sitter’s arrival to prevent inconvenience and ensure a smooth house sitting experience.

Setting Up for Success with a Free Pet Sitter

Preparing for a house sitting assignment involves more than packing your bags and watering the plants. Clear guidelines and expectations must be established before the sit. This helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures a positive relationship between homeowners and house sitters.

Other factors come into play for a successful house sit. From providing clean bedding and space to discussing deposits and boundaries, each step plays a role in creating a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Providing Clean Bedding and Space

Ensuring the house sitter has clean bedding and a tidy room before they arrive will make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable. If possible, fridge space, closet space and shelves are most appreciated, especially for a long sit.

A clean, friendly setting creates a good vibe and makes the sitter feel important and respected.

Asking for a Deposit Before a Sit

Although it’s not typical, some homeowners may ask for a deposit as security from house sitters. However, a deposit can turn away potential sitters and sabotage the trust-based exchange of the house sitting arrangement.

Sitters may feel uncomfortable or hesitant to commit to an assignment that requires a deposit because it’s outside the ordinary and may signal a lack of trust.

Homeowners should consider whether asking for a deposit fits their objectives for the house sitting agreement. They should be prepared to discuss other ways to guarantee security and accountability.

Establishing Clear Guidelines and Boundaries

Without clear guidelines, the sitter may feel uncertain about their responsibilities or uncomfortable regarding the homeowner’s preferences. The homeowner and house sitter may become frustrated and unsatisfied.

Conclusion

House sitting provides a unique and beneficial opportunity for homeowners and house sitters, requiring clear expectations, open communication, and transparency.

We have covered the following: general maintenance, pet care, managing gardens and pools, addressing unrealistic expectations, the significance of cameras and unpaid utility bills, and establishing clear rules and boundaries.

Establishing a peaceful house sit, where house sitters and homeowners feel appreciated and encouraged, fosters a cooperative and respectful relationship. Whether you’re a seasoned house sitter or considering your first assignment, following these guidelines will ensure that everything goes well and that it’s an enjoyable experience.