How to Prepare a Home for Long-Term Housesitters - 4 Top Tips

If you’re taking a lengthy or extended trip, the peace of mind that quality long-term housesitters can provide is incomparable. However, there are things you can do to make life easier for everyone in preparation for the arrival of your house sitters. Read on to learn our top tips to help you prepare for he arrival of your house sitters.

4 Tips for Preparing a Home for Long-Term Housesitters

long-term housesitters seated on a bed with a dog — It is good for your long-term housesitters to feel settled and comfortable in your home

Image credit: Chewy

People really love the convenience of quality housesitters. Did you know that in America, 73.5% of all housesitters are women, and the average age is 42? When you’re getting ready to leave your home in the care of a long-term house sitter, it’s a bit like prepping for a mini staycation in reverse.

You can do a few things to set yourself and your sitter up for a smooth experience. Ensure the house is sparkling clean to give them a good canvas to work with.

Prepare a briefing document

Always leave clear instructions for pets and gardens. And definitely leave your Wi-Fi password somewhere accessible! These vital touches make a big difference for someone walking into a stranger’s home.

Tip #1: Know which space is for storage and which space is for access

Prepping for long-term housesitters is a gentle balance between storing your valuable items safely and ensuring the sitter has room for comfortable living. In properties with a storage area like a two-car garage, you can use one section as a “no-go zone” where your important belongings are stored and one section for the sitter to park their own vehicle.

This idea can be applied to other areas of the home as well. Some rooms might be locked to hold certain valuables and pre-determined as off-limits. Be sure to communicate all of this with your long-term housesitters in advance.

Tip #2: Organize the sitter’s sleeping arrangements

As you prepare your home for your sitter, do not overlook when preparing for a long-term house sitter is where they’ll actually be sleeping. You want to make sure you’re both on the same page about which bed they’ll be using.

While most sitters are pretty laid-back about this, some may have preferences or needs—as will you! You might want the sitter to avoid your personal bed for privacy reasons, or they might require a larger bed due to health issues. By sorting this out ahead of time, you’ll save any awkward conversations down the road.

Clean linen

Once the sleeping arrangements are squared away, make sure the bed is properly prepped with clean linens. No one likes arriving to rumpled sheets or an unmade bed, and if it’s a colder climate, be sure to leave extra blankets or quilts so they’re comfortable.

Be sure to leave some clean towels for your sitter—a small detail that can make them feel more welcome. A little extra thought here will make their stay much more enjoyable.

Tip #3: Ensure your sitter feels right at home

a woman with a cat on her lap and laptop in front of her on a table — Make sure your housesitter is settled and has everything she needs to care for your home and pets

Photo by Sam Lion

For long sits, it’s a good idea to clear out a little space for clothes and personal items. Long-term housesitters will be resident a while so you want them to feel comfortable and settled in the room where they are sleeping.

This space could be a drawer, some closet space, or even just a space in their room where they can stash their suitcase and possessions. While they’re not moving in, having a spot to hang or fold their clothes will make their stay more comfortable. No one wants to live out of a suitcase for weeks on end!

Clear out the fridge, leaving a few welcoming essentials

Similarly, a fridge full of old leftovers and mystery containers isn’t exactly the warmest welcome. Before your house sitter arrives, quickly clean the fridge and clear a shelf or two for their groceries. They’ll appreciate having space for their food, and you’ll avoid any unpleasant surprises when you return.

It is a nice gesture if you leave them some freshly purchased household essentials – e.g. bread, milk, eggs that they can use. It’s a polite gesture they will likely reciprocate.

While you’re at it, go through your pantry and make sure there’s no confusion about what they can or can’t eat. Let them know if you’re happy for them to use condiments or pantry staples. It’s always best to be upfront, especially when it comes to alcohol—if you don’t want them touching your wine stash, just say so!

Tip #4: Letting everyone else know what is going on

It’s always a good idea to let your neighbors know you’ve arranged for long-term housesitters to be resident while you’re away. This way, they won’t be caught off guard if they see a new face coming and going from your home or call the cops thinking you have been broken into!

Swap key contacts – Emergency contacts are vital

Plus, if anything unusual happens, your long-term housesitters will know who to contact (it’s worth giving the sitters details to the neighbors and vice versa). Having friendly neighbors who are in the loop can also give your sitter a sense of security, knowing they aren’t totally on their own.

a man mowing the lawn outside his house — If you use service people for the garden, tell them you have housesitters resident. If not brief the long-term housesitters on how the garden should be cared for

Photo by PROSPER MBEMBA KOUTIHOU

Finally, if you’ve got regular service people—like a cleaner or gardener—be sure to inform them about your upcoming absence and schedule their next visit. It’s also courteous to check with your sitter if they’re okay with these folks popping by while you’re away if you plan to keep these services running as opposed to hitting pause until you’re back.

Let service providers know you have housesitters in

If everyone is comfortable, consider passing along the long-term housesitters contact details to your service providers if they need to get in touch. This way, everything keeps running smoothly while you’re gone without the sitter feeling left out of the loop.

Looking for a reliable long-term housesitters?

For trusted house and petsitters who can care for your property and pets for long periods, join HouseSit Match. We offer checked long-term housesitters all over the world. No need to travel at length while worrying about your property; let our sitters give you the peace of mind you deserve!

To find your long-term housesitters through our trusted network register with HouseSitMatch as a homeowner

To register as a Homeowner follow this link

If you have pet care and homecare experience and want to travel and experience a new location why not register as on HouseSitMatch as a housesitter

To register as a House-sitter or Petsitter follow this link