10 Top Housesitting Protocols for Homeowners

If as a home/pet owner you are new to housesitting, consider these 10 key housesitting protocols for homeowners. We offer them as an essential guide from our own experience, and that of our members, to present you with the best practice behaviours for anyone inviting a housesitter into their home to care for their property and pets. Read on to learn more and ensure that your first housesit is successful from the get go.

The Homeowner’s Guide to a Harmonious Housesit

As homeowners and pet owners, we benefit immensely from the collaborative nature of housesitting. However, this arrangement works best when clear “rules of the road” are followed.

10 Key Housesitting Protocols for Homeowners

Drawing from my experience as a homeowner, a housesitter, and the founder of HouseSit Match, I’ve compiled the top 10 essential housesitting protocols for homeowners to ensure your next housesitting experience is seamless, respectful, and harmonious for everyone involved.

housesitting protocols for homeowners start with a meet and greet — The housesitting protocols for homeowners start with the ‘virtual handshake’, meet n greet however possible
Photo credit – Jenny Kaye

1. The Virtual Handshake: Meeting your Housesitter Online

To find and book a sitter you’d do well to follow our housesitting protocols for homeowners. Post an advert, and follow up with your housesitter applicants. Before confirming a sit, meet up virtually. This is far more useful than you might imagine! Use the HouseSit Match online meeting facility to bridge the gap. Prepare specific questions and be ready to share the “personality” of your home and pets. This builds the foundational trust necessary for a successful stay.

Ready to find the perfect sitter? Register as a Homeowner on HouseSit Match today!

2. A Warm Welcome

When your sitters arrive, remember: they are your guests. Treat them with the same hospitality you’d show a friend. Offer a welcome beverage or even a meal if time allows. This “soft landing” provides a relaxed environment to become familiar with one another before you head out.

3. Review the “Easy Sit Guidelines” Together

At HouseSit Match, we provide a homeowner briefing template called the Easy Sit Guidelines. This document covers standard care and information related to the property. Sit down with your housesitter and walk through it together. It ensures nothing—from the alarm code they need to enter and lock the property, to the emergency vet contact as a just in case —is left to chance.

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4. Detail the Pet Care Routine: Setting Expectations

dog walking is a classic housesitter pet routine — Dog walking is a classic pet routine required of petsitters. One of the essential housesitting protocols for homeowners and pet owners is to show the sitter where the dog likes to walk and how they walk with you.
Photo credit – Jenny Kaye

Consistency is key for pets when their owners are away. Beyond feeding schedules, be explicit about their daily rhythm:

Pet Company: Can your pet be left for 4 hours, or do they need near-constant companionship?
Routines: Describe their specific needs so the sitter knows exactly what to expect
Dog Walk Map: Offer your housesitters a map guide for the best local dog walks.

5. Define the “Home Zones”

guest bedroom ready for visitors — One of the most important housesitting protocols for homeowners is that you prepare the bedroom for the sitter and ensure they feel welcome. Photo credit – Christopher Moon.

Show your sitters where they will be sleeping and which bathroom they should use. Be clear in your communication on this guidance. It is one of the essential housesitting protocols for homeowners that you are specific so there are not surprises for anyone.

Maintenance: Point out where cleaning equipment is kept so they can care for their space.
Kitchen Etiquette: Offer a dedicated shelf in the fridge and a cupboard for their groceries. Be clear about what they are welcome to consume and what items (if used) should be replaced.
White Goods – Show them how to use all the modern home appliances.

6. Garden and Indoor Plant Care

If you have a “green thumb” reputation to maintain, walk your sitters through your watering and feeding routines. Show them exactly where the equipment is kept and demonstrate how to use any specific tools or irrigation systems.

woman watering indoor plants — Prepare the housesitter for how to care for your plants while you are away
Photo credit- Los Muertos Crew

7. Clarity on Cleaning Expectations

It is customary for sitters to return your home in the same clean and tidy state they found it. To help them succeed, show them how your appliances (white goods) work and where you store your kitchen essentials. Be clear about which areas—such as the guest bedroom and bathroom—require a thorough clean before your return.

NOTE – New to the platform? Check out our Top Housesitting Tips for Homeowner for more tips on preparing your home.

8. The “Paws and Claws” Clean-up

Pet hygiene is a priority. Show sitters where the cat litter is stored and how you prefer the trays to be refreshed. If you have specific routines for washing dog towels or sanitizing bowls, point these out during the walkthrough to ensure your standards are met.

dog eating from a bowl with kibble falling around the bowl — Showing housesitters how and when to clean up after your pets is among the most important housesitting protocols for homeowners with pets. Remember to show them then they’ll know how and when to do it.
Photo credit – cottonbro studio

9. Managing the “Feathered Friends”

If your sitters are looking after chickens, take them through the daily essentials. Explain when to collect eggs, where to put them once collected, how to manage feeding and watering of the birds, and how to keep the flock safe and secure while you are away. A clear brief and walk through is one of the housesitting protocols for homeowners we really recommend especially with hens, because not all housesitters will have that experience today.

NOTE – Also let them know if they are welcome to have some eggs to eat while you are away. It’s a common courtesy that they should be able to.

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10. The Bounty of the Vegetable Garden

Do you need your veggie patch watered daily? If so, consider offering the “fruits of their labor” to the sitters! Inviting them to eat the ripe produce while you’re away is a lovely gesture that encourages them to maintain the garden’s health.

woman watering young vegetable seedlings — If watering your vegetable garden is important then be sure to show the housesitters how
Photo credit – Alfo Medeiros

⚠️ A Special Note on Security Cameras

At HouseSitMatch, we are committed to the privacy of our members.

Internal: We ask that homeowners turn off all internal security cameras while housesitters are in residence.
External: External security cameras for perimeter safety are perfectly understandable and acceptable.

Final Thoughts on the 10 Key Housesitting Protocols for Homeowners

By following these 10 housesitting protocols for homeowners and the outlined steps, you aren’t just finding a “sitter”—you are fostering a respectful partnership that ensures your pets stay happy, your home stays secure, and you can travel with total peace of mind.

Join HouseSit Match Today and find a verified sitter who treats and cares for your pets and home like their own.

Do you have some housesitting protocols for homeowners that you swear by? Leave a comment below or contact our team if you need help setting up your first listing!

By Lamia Walker – Founder of HousesitMatch.com

FAQ – Housesitting Protocols for Homeowners

What is the most important of the housesitting protocols for a homeowner?

Communication is the foundation of a successful sit. We recommend a “virtual handshake” or video call before confirming a sitter. This allows both parties to discuss expectations, meet the pets virtually, and ensure there is a good personality match before any travel plans are finalized.

Should I provide food for my housesitter?

While sitters generally provide their own food, it is a standard protocol to offer a “welcome meal” or beverage upon their arrival. Additionally, homeowners should provide clear guidance on “kitchen etiquette”—designating shelf space in the fridge and being clear about which pantry staples are available for use or need replacing if consumed.

Is it okay to leave security cameras on during a housesit?

At HouseSitMatch, our protocol is that all internal security cameras should be turned off while a sitter is in residence to respect their privacy. However, external security cameras for perimeter safety and property monitoring are perfectly acceptable and should be disclosed to the sitter beforehand.

How clean should I leave my home for a sitter?

The housesitting protocols for homeowners recommend that you leave your home in the state you would like to find it. This includes providing a clean guest bedroom and bathroom, and ensuring all “white goods” (appliances) are in working order. In return, sitters are expected to clean the areas they used and return the home to you in the same tidy condition.

What should be included in a pet care brief?

A thorough pet care routine should include feeding schedules, exercise requirements (like favourite walking routes), and—crucially—how long they can safely be left alone. Some pets need 24/7 company, while others are fine for 4-hour windows. Clearly stating these needs prevents stress for both the sitter and the pet.

Do I need to provide a written guide for the sitter?

Yes. We highly recommend using a template like the HouseSit Match Easy Sit Guidelines. This document should contain essential info like emergency vet contacts, alarm codes, Wi-Fi passwords, and instructions for garden or plant care. Reviewing this document together before you leave ensures nothing is forgotten.