Considerations To Becoming An International House-Sitter

Many people across the world are choosing to become house-sitters today. Some use the role as a means to travel, experience new locations and different properties. Others become house-sitters as a rent-free accommodation solution!

International House-Sitting

My previous post explained what international house-sitting is and what it involves for the home-owner and the house-sitter.

House-sitters can be single people (like myself), couples, friends or families with children... Anyone can become a house-sitter!

But what are the pros and cons of being a house-sitter?

House-sitting is not without it's responsibilities and is not the answer for everyone.

Taking on the role of house-sitter needs careful thought to determine if it will suit your lifestyle and travel plans.

Currently, I am travelling to new and incredible destinations, using house-sitting, living like a local and it is working well.

To set up my house-sits I am using the excellent sites - Trusted Housesitters (global) and Kiwihousesitters (just New Zealand).

If house-sitting suits you then you could have some amazing experiences...

To help you decide whether to be a house-sitter I will expand on what you need to think about!

Becoming A House-Sitter - Factors to Consider...

Property Responsibilities

When house-sitting, a home-owner is entrusting you with full responsibility of their home and property.

As they say, 'a man's home is his castle', and as a house-sitter you will need to respect this.

Ensuring the home is kept secure, clean and tidy and dealing with any problems or emergencies that could arise within it are your full responsibility when the owner is away.

You will need to ensure that you know such things as how to turn the water off in an emergency and where the fuse box is; as well as where cleaning products might be kept!

A person's home is also their private space and respecting the owner's privacy within the home is important. If rooms are private to the owner and you do not need to go into them then don't and rifling through drawers might not be welcomed either!

Pet Responsibilities

The majority of house-sits (though not all) also come with responsibilities for the owner's most beloved pets!

Many people love their animals as if they are a member of the family (some love them more than their family members!!). Owners can be very anxious about leaving their pet in the care of another.

As a house-sitter you will need to ensure that any animals left in your care are looked after as the owner would wish and help the owner feel comfortable leaving them with you.

You will be responsible for keeping pets alive (most important!), ensuring their basic needs - they are fed, have water, exercise and are cleaned up after.

Some pets come with additional medication needs and providing this at the right times will be required.

Providing love, affection and company to them is also a priority!

Provide any pets with care

If any problems did arise with any pets then you will also need to ensure they are dealt with promptly. This might involve vet trips or contacting the owner if you are unsure how to act.

It is also important to remember when pet-sitting that you are there to honour the owner's wishes regarding how their pet is looked after.

You might look after a dog who is not allowed upstairs, while you would rather have pooch sleep on your bed... Keeping to the owner's strict rules and the dog's routine is the priority!

Some owners have TV shows for their pets to watch and ask you to ensure it is left on for the animals at certain times. This notion may feel strange to you but if the owner has asked for it then you need to honour their wishes!

Overall, respecting the pet's usual routine and replicating as far as possible how the owner would care for them is your role as a house-sitter.

Contact With the Home-Owners

While the owner is away, as house-sitter, you need to pre-agree how they would prefer you keep in contact with them and how frequently.

Some owners will want a complete break from thinking about the home and their pets and feel comfortable with you just to contact them in an emergency. They might not welcome a daily text or update from you while they are trying to forget their home-life, lying on a beach in the Seychelles!

Other owners will ask for regular contact... Some will want a daily update and photos.

Owners can even enjoy being able to see or 'chat to' their pets via Skype, FaceTime or WhatsApp.

As house-sitter you need to respect the owner's wishes and provide updates and contact with them as agreed.

House-Work

It was mentioned briefly above, but deserves a place of it's own here - the consideration of house-work!

House-sitting and pet-sitting mean that you are still required to take on domestic duties like cleaning and vacuuming (unless you are very fortunate to find a house-sit that has a cleaner!).

Being a house-sitter does not mean you leave domestic chores at home!

As the person responsible for someone else's home and space you must keep it clean and tidy and ensure it is in the condition the owner left it in for their return.

Other Chores

Many home-owners might also ask that you carry out other chores for them while you are in charge of their home and pets.

These can include such things as watering their garden, weeding, taking out bins on a certain day, opening their mail for them when they ask you to.

Occasionally you also find house-sitters are asked to take on larger jobs for some sits. Some house-sitting jobs involve looking after small-holdings or larger properties and the owner might ask that tasks of a more manual nature are carried out.

Any house-sit should be discussed in full before either side commits but just be aware that a house-sitter will be asked to perform some extra chores and these will be your responsibility to commit to.

Time At The Property

For any person considering becoming a house-sitter as a means to travel and see new parts of the world, it is worth remembering that when house-sitting you are committing to being at the property for decent periods of time.

When looking after pets, especially dogs, you cannot go out for 12 hour days sight-seeing and leave poor pooch home alone!

Taking overnight trips to visit nearby attractions will not be an option when you are committed to stay at the home-sit property overnight.

Ensure that you commit to a house-sit with the awareness that this is not a hotel style of accommodation... Your comings and goings will be more curtailed by the duties you have taken on!

No Parties / Wild Drunken Nights!

I am sure this goes without saying but being a house-sitter and having wild drunken nights of partying and cavorting probably do not go hand in hand!!

Most home-owners would not want to think that they have left their home in the hands of someone who will be advertising their property as their next party venue on social media the minute they close the front door!

Being a house-sitter is a responsibility - not to say don't drink but it is being mindful of your behaviour and respect of the owner, their pets and their property!

When the house-sit is over then you can go wild again!

In Conclusion....

Taking on the house-sitting opportunities available can be a big responsibility and worth giving careful thought to before diving in.

If you do decide it is for you then the world of house-sitting can be incredible!!

House-sitting can be a great way to see the world, live like a local in some amazing spots and have the company of some borrowed furry friends!

I hope you do decide house-sitting is right for you and that this will have opened your eyes to the realities before diving in to this world with me!

Are there other things you would add to this post regarding house-siting considerations?

What else would you want to know?

**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**