Some people new to housesitting are unaware of the good protocols. In this article we offer the 10 housesitting best practices for you to succeed straight off the bat by learning from us and more experienced housesitters what works well every time to help you enjoy great experiences housesitting. Read on to learn more.

10 Housesitting Best Practices Every Housesitter Should Know

house sitting best practices include meeting the pet and owner before the sit — Meeting before the housesit is ideal and considered key in the housesitting best practices, even if a virtual meeting is all you can do
Photo credit – Jenny Kaye

Successful house sitting is built on trust, communication, and mutual respect. Whether you are caring for pets, maintaining a home, or watering a garden while the owners are away, following good house sitting etiquette helps create a positive experience for everyone involved.

As a homeowner, experienced housesitter, and founder of HouseSit Match, I’ve seen first-hand what makes a successful house sit. While there may not be many written rules for housesitting, there are clear best practices that help homeowners feel reassured and help housesitters build strong reviews and repeat opportunities.

Here are 10 essential housesitting best practices every responsible housesitter should follow.

1. Arrange a Meeting Before the House Sit

One of the best ways to build trust before a house sit is to arrange a meeting, or a video call with the homeowner before the housesit. An online meeting is practical and helps both parties get to know each other, discuss expectations, and clarify practical details before the sit begins. If you can meet in person all the better, but online works well too.

At HouseSit Match, we provide an online meeting facility to make these introductions easy and convenient.

Before the call, prepare a few useful questions about:

pet routines,
feeding schedules,
emergency contacts,
house security,
and any special responsibilities during the sit.

For first-time housesitters especially, good communication is one of the most important housesitting best practices.

New to house sitting? Creating a complete housesitter profile with references and clear communication can help you stand out to homeowners on HouseSit Match.

2. Remember You Are a Guest in Someone’s Home

When you arrive at the house sit, treat the property with care and respect. Even if you are staying for several weeks, remember that you are living in someone else’s home.

Keep the property clean and tidy throughout your stay rather than leaving all cleaning until the end. Small daily habits — such as washing dishes promptly, keeping surfaces clean, and respecting house rules — help maintain a positive relationship with the homeowner.

Responsible housesitters understand that caring for the home is just as important as caring for the pets.

guest bedroom with suitcase on the bed and clothes on the chair — If you have been given a guest bedroom for the housesit duration keep it clean and tidy, and clean up properly returning everything to how it was before you moved in for the homeowner’s return.
Photo credit – Vlada Karpovich

3. Read the House Sitting Guide Carefully

Most homeowners will prepare a house sitting guide or welcome document explaining the routines and expectations for the sit.

At HouseSit Match, homeowners can use our Easy Sit Guidelines document to outline:

pet care routines,
household tasks,
plant watering schedules,
appliance instructions,
and emergency information.

Take the time to read these instructions carefully before the homeowner leaves. If anything is unclear, ask questions early rather than making assumptions later.

4. Follow Pet Care Instructions Closely

measuring a portion of dog food into a bowl — Follow the pet owners instructions carefully especially when it comes to pet food and portions – really important in the housesitting best practices. The owner knows their pet best.
Photo credit – MART PRODUCTION

For many homeowners, their pets are the most important part of the house sit. And if your main responsibility for the housesit is petsitting, then paying close attention to feeding, exercise, medication, and daily routines is essential.

Some pets may have:

specific feeding times,
dietary restrictions and important feeding quantity guidelines,
behavioural quirks,
or medical needs.

Following the owner’s instructions carefully helps keep domestic pets calm, healthy, and comfortable while their owners are away, whatever the pets maybe.

Sending occasional updates and photos can also reassure homeowners that their pets are happy and well cared for.

NOTE – Make sure you have swapped WhatsApp mobile numbers for free and easy connectivity.

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5. Respect the Space You Are Given

If the homeowner has prepared a bedroom with fresh linen and towels for your stay, treat the space with care and consideration.

Use only the rooms and facilities agreed in advance, and avoid accessing private areas unless permission has been given. Respecting boundaries is an important part of good house sitting etiquette.

At the end of the sit:

strip used bedding if requested,
leave the room tidy,
and return furniture or household items to their original places.

Successful housesitting is built on trust and preparation. Browse international house sitting opportunities through HouseSit Match to gain experience caring for homes, pets, and gardens around the world.

6. Keep Gardens and Indoor Plants Healthy

Plant care is often an important part of a house sitting assignment, particularly during warmer months.

orchids on a windowsill — Keep the homeowner’s plants alive while they are away. Follow the housesitting best practices
Photo credit – Lamia Walker

If the homeowner has prepared a watering schedule or garden routine, follow it as closely as possible. Make sure you understand:

how often plants should be watered,
which plants need special attention,
and where any gardening equipment is stored.

If gardening duties are part of the arrangement, ask for clear instructions before the sit begins so you feel confident carrying them out properly.

7. Leave the Home Clean and Tidy

One of the most important housesitting best practices is leaving the property in excellent condition before the homeowner returns.

It is customary for housesitters to:

clean the kitchen,
wash and put away dishes,
vacuum or tidy living areas,
strip the beds and collect used linen,
clean bathrooms used during the stay,
and dispose of rubbish appropriately.

The goal is simple: the homeowner should return to a clean, welcoming home that feels cared for and respected.

cleaning is one of the housesitting best practices — Remember that cleaning up after yourself as well as the pets is one of the housesitting best practices
Photo credit – Polina Zimmerman

A thoughtful departure often leads to glowing reviews and future housesitting opportunities.

8. Clean Up Properly After Pets

Pet-related cleaning is an essential part of responsible housesitting.

For example:

cat litter trays should be cleaned regularly,
pet feeding areas should be kept clean and hygienic; check floors where pets eat,
and dog bowls should be washed thoroughly.

If pets have accidents during the sit, deal with them promptly and responsibly. Maintaining a clean environment keeps pets comfortable and ensures the homeowner returns to a fresh and tidy home.

9. Understand Farm Animal and Chicken Care Routines

Some house sits include caring for chickens, hens, or other small animals. These responsibilities can be highly rewarding, but they also require consistency and attention.

If you are caring for hens, you may need to:

collect eggs daily,
refresh food and water,
secure coops at night,
and follow specific safety routines.

Always ask the homeowner to demonstrate the daily process before they leave so you fully understand the animals’ needs.

10. Maintain Vegetable Gardens and Harvest Produce

Many homeowners appreciate help maintaining vegetable gardens while they are away.

housesitters working in a vegetable garden — As house sitters you may be asked to water a vegetable garden and collect produce, often for your own use while the owners are away
Photo credit – Kampus Production

You may be asked to:

water vegetable beds,
harvest ripe produce,
remove weeds,
or monitor greenhouse conditions.

Even simple daily care can make a significant difference to a productive garden. Following the homeowner’s established routine helps ensure plants remain healthy until their return. In fact following all the homeowner’s requests as far as you can underpins all the housesitting best practices.

mobile phone receiving a photo of a petsitter with a dog — Send regular video or photo updates to the owner so they can see that their pet is healthy, happy and that all is well at home
Photo credit – Los Muertos Crew

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Final Thoughts on Housesitting Best Practices

Great housesitting is built on reliability, communication, and respect. When housesitters follow these housesitting best practices, homeowners feel reassured, pets stay happy, and the entire experience becomes more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Whether you are new to housesitting or already experienced, developing good habits can help you build trust, earn positive reviews, and secure more opportunities.

Ready to start your house sitting journey? Join HouseSit Match to connect with homeowners worldwide, build your profile, and discover trusted house sitting opportunities in the UK and internationally.

By Lamia Walker

Founder Housesitmatch.com

FAQ

What are the most important housesitting best practices?

The most important house sitting best practices include good communication, following pet care instructions carefully, respecting the homeowner’s property, keeping the home clean and tidy, and maintaining regular routines for pets and plants. Successful housesitting is built on trust, reliability, and attention to detail.

How can a housesitter make a good impression?

A housesitter can make a strong impression by arriving prepared, communicating clearly, sending occasional updates during the sit, and leaving the property clean and organised before departure. Small thoughtful actions often lead to positive reviews and repeat house sitting opportunities.

Should housesitters meet homeowners before the sit?

Yes. A video call or in-person meeting before the house sit helps both parties build trust and discuss expectations. At HouseSit Match, homeowners and housesitters can use the platform’s online meeting facility to arrange virtual introductions before confirming a sit.

What should a housesitter clean before leaving?

Before leaving, housesitters should clean the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas tey have used. Pet feeding areas, litter trays, and pet bedding should also be cleaned according to the homeowner’s instructions. The aim is to leave the home clean, welcoming, and ready for the homeowner’s return.

How often should housesitters communicate with homeowners?

Communication expectations should be agreed before the sit begins. Many homeowners appreciate occasional updates and photos of their pets during their trip. Short, friendly messages can provide reassurance without being intrusive.

What should housesitters do in an emergency?

Before the sit starts, housesitters should make sure they know:
emergency contact numbers,
* vet’s details,
* utility information,
* and who to contact if problems arise.
Most experienced homeowners provide this information in a house sitting guide for their home and pets or a welcome document.

Is house sitting suitable for first-time sitters?

Yes. Many first-time housesitters start successfully by choosing sits that match their experience level and communicating openly with homeowners. Building trust, following instructions carefully, and maintaining a professional attitude can help new sitters gain positive reviews quickly.