How to Prepare a Home for Extended Absence - Top Tips

Any homeowner planning a long holiday needs to prepare a home for extended absence with some care whether you have a housesitter resident or now. In this article we offer some top tips on how you prepare your home for your long trip, home maintenance checks you need to conduct and the checklists you prepare for your sitter. Read on to learn more.

How to Prepare a Home for Extended Absence and Avoid Common Pest Problems

larder cupboard with a food tray — Check all the parts of your kitchen where you might have food stored, however, innocent they seem they can attract pests in your absence
Photo credit – Skylar Kang

Planning an extended trip takes more than booking flights and packing luggage. Your home also needs attention before you leave, especially if a house sitter will be looking after it. A little preparation helps protect the property, keeps your sitter comfortable, and gives you greater peace of mind while you are away.

Many homeowners focus on security, pet care, and mail collection, but routine home maintenance is just as important. Small issues such as food left in the pantry, a dripping faucet, or standing water in the yard can become much bigger problems after several weeks. Taking care of these details before you leave helps your home stay in good condition until you return.

Start in the Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the first places to check before an extended trip. Go through the refrigerator and throw away food that will spoil before you return. Wipe shelves, empty the trash, and clean crumbs from countertops, cabinets, and beneath small appliances.

Dry goods deserve attention too. Flour, cereal, pasta, rice, and snacks should be stored in sealed containers whenever possible. This keeps ingredients fresh while reducing the chance that insects will find an easy food source.

If you have noticed recurring pest activity before your trip, it is better to address it now instead of expecting your house sitter to deal with it. Homeowners who need professional help can contact Official Pest Prevention before leaving so any existing issue is handled before it becomes a larger concern during their absence.

cleaning the kitchen well is one way to prepare a home for extended absence — Cleaning your kitchen very thoroughly is one way to prepare a home for extended absence
Photo credit – RDNE Stock project

Check for Moisture Around the Home

Water attracts attention for all the wrong reasons. Even a slow leak can create unnecessary problems if nobody notices it for several weeks.

Inspect sinks, toilets, washing machine connections, refrigerator water lines, and outdoor faucets. Make sure gutters are clear so rainwater drains properly, and empty containers that may collect standing water outside.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains in its 2026 Pest Control Resources for Residents that preventing pests begins by removing access to food, water, and shelter. The agency recommends fixing leaks, storing food properly, covering trash, and sealing openings before relying on pesticides.

These simple maintenance tasks as you prepare a home for extended absence also reduce the likelihood of expensive water damage while you are away.

Walk Around the Outside of Your Property

Your yard deserves just as much attention as the inside of your home.

Trim shrubs that touch the house, remove piles of leaves or debris, and collect fallen fruit if you have fruit trees. Store firewood away from exterior walls, and make sure garbage bins close securely.

Check window screens and weather stripping while you are outside. Small gaps may not seem important during daily life, but they can become easy access points for insects or rodents over several weeks.

If your trip will last through a rainy season, take another look at drainage areas. This is an essential step as you prepare a home for extended absence. Water that collects near patios, walkways, or flower beds should have a clear path away from the home.

Leave Your House Sitter With a Comfortable Home

A prepared home makes life easier for everyone.

Clean the bedroom your sitter will use and leave fresh towels and extra bedding where they can be found easily. Make space in the refrigerator and pantry so they can store their own groceries without reorganizing the entire kitchen.

As you prepare a home for extended absence, even with a housesitter in residence you must document all the necessary details so they understand how your home works and what to do in the event of a problem within your home. Provide clear instructions for heating, cooling, Wi-Fi, appliances, security systems, and outdoor lighting. If pets are staying home, leave feeding schedules, favorite routines, and veterinary contact information together in one location.

The more questions you answer before leaving, the less likely your sitter will need to interrupt your trip for routine matters.

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Create a Simple Home Check Routine

Briefing a new housesitter on how to run the home — Brief your housesitter well before you leave
Photo credit – Pavel Danilyuk

Your house sitter does not need to perform a full home inspection every day. A quick routine is usually enough to spot changes before they become bigger problems. When you prepare a home for extended absence use this as a checklist for your house sitter.

Area	What to Check
Kitchen	Food spills, overflowing trash, unusual insect activity
Bathrooms	Leaks, moisture, running toilets
Living areas	Windows, doors, unusual odors
Pet areas	Leftover food, water spills, pet supplies
Yard	Standing water, storm debris, damaged fences
Utility room	Water heater area, unusual sounds or dampness

This checklist only takes a few minutes, but it helps your sitter notice anything that deserves attention while you are away.

Organize Emergency Information

No homeowner wants an emergency during a trip, but preparing for one is always worthwhile.

Leave contact information for yourself, a trusted family member or neighbor, your preferred plumber, electrician, HVAC company, veterinarian if pets are present, and any other service providers your sitter might need.

Explain which situations require immediate action and which can simply be reported so you can decide what to do. For example, a burst pipe needs immediate attention, while a burned-out porch light can usually wait until you return.

Keeping this information together saves valuable time if something unexpected happens.

Prepare Pets Without Creating Extra Work

One reason many people choose house sitting is to keep their pets comfortable in familiar surroundings. Before leaving, make sure enough food, treats, medications, and cleaning supplies are available for the entire stay.

Store pet food in sealed containers instead of leaving large bags open. Wipe feeding areas regularly before your trip and remove leftover food that pets have not eaten. Keep written feeding instructions simple so your sitter can follow the normal routine without guessing.

Pets usually adjust more easily when their daily schedule stays consistent, so explain walking times, favorite toys, sleeping arrangements, and any habits that will help them feel secure.

Do One Final Walkthrough

A final walkthrough often catches small things that are easy to overlook during packing.

Check that windows are locked, faucets are off, trash has been removed, pantry containers are sealed, outdoor furniture is secure, and unnecessary electrical devices have been unplugged if appropriate. Walk through each room as though you were arriving for the first time.

This is also a good opportunity to make sure your sitter has keys, alarm instructions, emergency contacts, and everything needed for a comfortable stay.

Leave Home With Confidence – How to Prepare a Home for Extended Absence in Summary

Preparing your home before an extended trip is about much more than locking the front door. It is an opportunity to prevent small maintenance issues from becoming larger problems while nobody is home.

A clean kitchen, well-maintained plumbing, tidy outdoor spaces, and clear instructions all make the property easier to manage for your house sitter. Addressing any existing pest concerns before departure adds another layer of protection for both your home and your guests.

When you invest a little time in preparation, you can spend less time worrying about your house and more time enjoying the journey ahead.