What to Leave for a Housesitter – Top Checklist

Wondering what to leave for a housesitter? Make sure they have working keys, Wi-Fi details, emergency contacts, clear household instructions and a written pet-care routine. A well-prepared house sitter welcome pack and a proper handover help your sitter settle in and care for your home and pets with confidence.

Like many homeowners, Lamia Walker, founder of HouseSit Match, has trusted regular sitters who know her home well. But every new sitter needs clear information and a few thoughtful preparations. Use this house sitter checklist to get ready for a smooth sit.

1. What to leave for a housesitter? The essentials

Your sitter should be able to find the information and supplies they need without having to guess or contact you for every small detail.

Leave:

• Working keys for the doors the sitter will use, plus any gate, garage or shed keys. Test them first.
• Alarm and access instructions, and demonstrate the system. Let the sitter practise setting and disarming it.
• Wi-Fi details, including the network name and password.
• Your contact details and a backup contact for times you are unavailable.
• Neighbour details, including names, phone numbers and whether anyone has a spare key.
• Emergency contacts, such as a plumber, electrician or locksmith.
• Home instructions for the heating, boiler, appliances and fuse box.
• Bin and recycling instructions, including collection day and where bins go.
• A torch and spare batteries, plus instructions for outdoor lights and power cuts.

2. The pet-care checklist: everything your sitter needs to know

A clear pet-care plan helps your sitter keep your animals’ routine familiar. Don’t assume they will know what your pet needs unless you tell them. This is essential when preparing for a housesitter.

Write down:

• Your pet’s name, age, health conditions and usual routine.
• Feeding times, portion sizes, food brands and where supplies are stored.
• Medication details, including dosage, timing and how your pet takes it.
• Exercise needs, preferred routes, lead rules and recall instructions.
• Toilet routines, litter-tray locations and cleaning instructions.
• Favourite toys, treats and comfort items.
• Behavioural quirks, fears or triggers, such as fireworks, visitors or other animals.
• Where your pet likes to hide or sleep.
• Your vet’s name and contact details, including out-of-hours arrangements.
• What to do if your pet becomes unwell and when to contact you.

Don’t forget your pet’s favourite treats

Leave enough food, medication and other essentials for the full sit, with a little extra in case of delays. Label supplies and explain which treats are suitable. If your pet has a special diet, make that especially clear.

3. Create a house sitter welcome pack

When thinking what to leave for a housesitter, considering preparing a housesitter welcome pack can be a printed folder, a digital document or both. When you are considering what to leave for the housesitter, keep the information in one place so your sitter can check it whenever needed.

Include:

• Sit dates and your contact details.
• Wi-Fi, alarm and access instructions.
• Pet routines, feeding instructions and medication details.
• Vet, emergency and neighbour contacts.
• Heating, boiler and appliance instructions.
• Bin day, recycling rules and bin location.
• Instructions for deliveries, post and expected visitors.
• Plant, garden or pool-care instructions, if needed.
• Local shops, pharmacy, transport and useful recommendations.
• Your preferred way to communicate and how often you’d like updates.

Make sure the instructions are easy to follow. Rather than writing “the heating is tricky,” explain what to do, where to find the controls and who to call if it stops working. Consider including your plumber’s number when you are thinking about what to leave for a housesitter.

“From the Wi-Fi password to the vet’s number“

Print the key information and walk through it with your sitter before you leave. A digital copy is useful too, but a printed version can help if a phone battery runs out or the internet is unavailable.

4. Prepare your home before you go

Before departure, make sure your sitter can access the home and use essential equipment safely.

• Test all keys, locks and gates.
• Show the sitter how to use the alarm and any smart-home systems.
• Explain how to operate heating, hot water and household appliances.
• Point out the fuse box, water shut-off and any important switches.
• Explain how deliveries, post and visitors should be handled.
• Leave household essentials such as bin bags and cleaning supplies.
• Introduce your sitter to a neighbour who may be a useful local contact.
• Explain any spare-key arrangements.

If you use CCTV security cameras or smart devices, explain what they do and agree on privacy expectations before the sit begins. Please refer to the Housesit Match Camera Policy for reference.

5. Should you leave food or a welcome gift for your house sitter?

You don’t need to provide a full shop, but a few basics can make your sitter feel welcome—especially if they arrive late.

Consider leaving tea, coffee, milk, bread or a simple meal. You could also share recommendations for nearby cafés, shops or takeaways. Let your sitter know which food they may use and whether you’d like anything replaced.

A thoughtful welcome is less about the cost and more about helping your sitter feel comfortable from the start.

6. The little things homeowners forget to tell their house sitter

When you live somewhere every day, it’s easy to forget what isn’t obvious to a visitor. Think about the small details you handle without thinking.

Does the back door need lifting before it locks? Does the boiler need resetting after a power cut? Can the cat slip through an open window? Does the dog become frightened during fireworks?

Other details worth mentioning include:

• A tap that needs an extra turn to stop dripping.
• A window or door that should stay closed.
• The location of cleaning supplies.
• A bin collection that changes on bank holidays.
• A pet’s reaction to visitors, noise or being left alone.
• Any rooms, cupboards or equipment that are off-limits.

Start your list a couple of weeks before the sit starts, when you’re preparing your property and yard ahead of your trip and deciding what to leave for a housesitter. Add details as you walk around the property and notice something your sitter might need to know.

7. Emergency contacts and vet instructions: Be prepared

When you are planning what to leave for a housesitter, consider the most appropriate emergency contacts. Tell your sitter who to contact and what to do if there’s a problem. Avoid leaving them to guess whether an issue is urgent or whether they have permission to act.

Your emergency instructions should cover:

• How to reach you and your backup contact.
• Your vet’s contact details and out-of-hours arrangements.
• Where pet records, medication and insurance details are kept.
• Who to contact for urgent home repairs.
• What to do if a pet is unwell or injured.
• Whether your sitter may approve emergency veterinary treatment and any spending limit you’ve agreed.

Make sure the sitter knows when and how to communicate, when to contact the vet and what to do if they cannot reach you.

8. How to make your housesitter feel welcome and trusted

Knowing what to leave for a housesitter is key to ensuring a good handover. It is essentially a practical step, but it also helps build trust. Share the information your sitter needs, give them a comfortable place to stay and make it easy to ask questions.

Before the housesit begins, talk with the sitter and agree on:

• How often you’ll check in.
• Which communication method you’ll use.
• What counts as urgent.
• Any privacy expectations or house rules.
• Which household facilities the sitter may use.

If your sitter is caring for pets, introduce them before you leave where possible. Show them the animals’ routine and give them time to ask questions.

A happy housesitter means happier pets

Pets often feel more settled when their routine stays familiar. Clear instructions, a calm introduction and the right supplies help your sitter provide consistent care while you’re away.

9. The final house-sitter handover: what to check before you leave

Set aside enough time for a final walk-through. Don’t leave important instructions until you’re rushing out the door. Prepare what to leave for a housesitter with some care ahead of time, so you and they have the necessary time to review and digest the information.

Before you go:

1. Walk through the home together.
2. Demonstrate the keys, alarm, heating and appliances.
3. Introduce each pet and review feeding, walks and medication.
4. If relevant, show the sitter how to give medication and let them practise.
5. Confirm emergency contacts and what to do if they can’t reach you.
6. Agree on check-ins and your preferred contact method.
7. Hand over the welcome pack and any remaining supplies.
8. Check that your sitter knows where to find everything they need.

A few minutes spent checking the details can help both you and your sitter feel prepared.

FAQ – What to Leave for a Housesitter

BIO

Lamia Walker created HouseSitMatch.com from a personal passion for pets and travel, a global housesitting community she has grown over more than a decade. She believes in safe, vetted matches and the power of trust between homeowners and sitters. Through practical guidance and personal experience, Lamia helps people travel with confidence while their homes and pets are cared for.

Further Reading

At HouseSit Match we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about housesitters, housesitting and pet sitting. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs useful, including this one on what to prepare and leave for a housesitter.

Top 10 Housesitting Protocols for First Time Homeowners

Housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities

Top 10 tips for catsitting

Top dogsitting tips for beginners

The Affordable Alternative to Dog Kennels

What is House Sitting?