Make a Home House Sitter Ready - Outdoor Tips

As a homeowner when you prepare to leave your home you need to make your property house sitter ready, and that means outdoors as well as indoors. In this article we offer some handy top tips to help you prepare your outdoor space for a house sitter’s care. Read on to learn more.

How to Make a Home House Sitter Ready – Outdoor Essentials to Consider

make your outdoor space house-sitter ready — Make your home house sitter ready by preparing your garden and outdoor space for easy maintenance

Photo credit – Kristina Paukshtite

Leaving the keys in someone else’s house can be daunting.

Preparing your property for a house-sitter usually involves decluttering the kitchen and setting up instructions for the heating. But the outdoor space also needs to be ready.

Let’s look at why…

A messy garden or insecure perimeter can cause issues for your house-sitter and create risks for your property. The solution is thorough preparation so you can enjoy peace of mind.

Topics Covered:

Why Outdoor Space Preparation Matters
Securing the Garden Perimeter
Garden Upkeep Essentials
Outdoor Storage and Equipment
Creating Effective Instructions

Why Outdoor Space Preparation Matters

The condition of your outdoor space matters.

In fact, 61% of UK buyers would only consider purchasing or renting homes with gardens. That shows just how important these spaces are and how they need to be maintained. Your garden or outdoor space needs to be kept secure and tidy even when you are away.

There’s a bigger reason to prepare the outdoor space at your home before you go though…

Security and making your home house sitter ready.

Home burglaries are a serious risk. In 2024/25, there were 166,577 incidents across England and Wales. The perimeter of your house is the first line of defence. A tidy, well-maintained exterior sends the signal that people care about this property and are keeping an eye on it. Neglected hedges and broken fencing have the opposite effect.

The simple fact is that outdoor space preparation for a house-sitter is very important.

Securing the Garden Perimeter

Boundaries are a crucial part of home security; ensuring secure boundaries will help to make your home house sitter ready.

Your fencing, walls and gates form a barrier between your property and the outside world. If they are weak or poorly maintained, burglars will be drawn to look inside.

What to check to ensure your property is house sitter ready:

Fencing – Walk around the perimeter of your property and look for damage to fencing panels or gates. Broken, rotting or loose fencing is an invitation to break in. Consider investing in long lasting garden fencing from quality suppliers. Composite fencing lasts for years without maintenance or repair as it is resistant to rot, weathering and insect damage.
Gates – Double check that all of your gates are secure. They should close fully and have working locks. A padlock on side gates is an added precaution.
Hedges – Trimming hedges and trees back is also important. Overgrown bushes make your property harder to see and offer cover for burglars.

Secure fencing, walls or gates are cited by 72% of property professionals as features that add value to a home. That means these elements aren’t just about security – they are a genuine financial investment.

Garden Upkeep Essentials

Let’s look at the garden itself now.

There’s no need to leave complex upkeep tasks for your house-sitter to deal with. Simplify things so the garden requires little work while you are away.

Maintenance basics include:

Lawns – Mow the lawn before you leave. If you’re going to be away for longer than two weeks, leave instructions for how often the lawn should be cut and where the mower is kept.
Weeding – Pull back any weeds from flower beds or borders. Weeds are quick to grow and can make a garden look unkempt.
Watering – Set up an automatic watering system if you have one. Show your house-sitter how to use it or give instructions on how to adjust settings.
Potted plants – Group together potted plants in a shaded area. This makes it easier to water them and less likely they will dry out.

Make things as simple as possible and you make your home house sitter ready, and the better the results you will experience.

Outdoor Storage and Equipment

Outdoor storage areas are often overlooked but are an important consideration.

Your shed or garage is likely to hold valuable items like power tools, bicycles and gardening equipment. These items are all attractive to burglars. Outdoor storage spaces are also a source of items that burglars can use to break into your main property, like ladders or spades.

Preparation tips:

Secure outbuildings – Ensure all sheds, garages and other outbuildings are fitted with proper locks. A cheap padlock on a garden shed won’t keep determined thieves at bay.
Move valuables inside – Bring tools or equipment into the house or a more secure location if possible. Bicycles are especially at risk of opportunistic theft.
Hide ladders – Ladders are a common tool for burglars to reach upper floor windows. Keep them locked away in a secure shed or chained to a fixed point.
Secure garden furniture – Expensive patio furniture that is left out and easily moved can also be at risk of theft or damage. Secure or store it away if possible.

Your house-sitter shouldn’t have to worry about managing or securing valuables in unsecured outdoor areas.

Creating Effective Instructions

Communication is everything in a successful house-sitting agreement, and housesit briefing document. At HouseSit Match we offer a selection of document templates to suit your needs.

Even if you have the outdoor space at your home perfectly prepared, your house-sitter still needs to know what to do with it. The clearer you are, the better the results.

Instructions should cover the following:

Bin collection days and locations for bins
Frequency of watering for plants and lawn
Location of outdoor lighting switches
Operation of any automated systems
Neighbour contact details for assistance
Location of any gardening tools if necessary
Any areas that are off limits or need special care

A good practice is to do a walk-through with your house-sitter before you leave. Point out boundaries and show them how gate locks operate. Make them aware of any areas that will need particular attention.

The more prepared and informed they feel, the better they will look after your property.

Bringing It All Together

Preparing the outdoor space at your home for a house-sitter doesn’t have to be complex or difficult.

Start with the basics of security. Check your fencing, gates and any outbuildings. Ensure everything is in good condition and locked or secured properly. That will keep your property safe and also give your house-sitter peace of mind.

Secondly, simplify the upkeep. A tidy garden and clear instructions are much easier to manage than an overgrown space with complicated care requirements.

a fence surrounding a cottage property — Ensuring your property fencing is secure helps you to ensure your home is house sitter ready especially if you have pets roaming your garden to0 keep safe

Photo credit – Simon Sikorski

How to Make a Home House Sitter Ready in Conclusion

Finally, communicate everything clearly and write it down. Do a thorough handover walk-through before you leave.

The fact is that a well-prepared outdoor space makes house-sitting much easier for everyone involved and will ensure your property is house sitter ready. Your property is more secure, your garden is better looked after and you can relax on your time away without worrying about your home.

Give it time and attention and you will come home to a property that looks just as good as when you left.

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