House sitting: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering house sitting

You stay at or visit client homes while the owners are away, keeping the house secure and lived in, and caring for plants and pets. Your value is dependable visits, careful key handling and quick reports on anything that needs the owner's attention.

What customers ask

  • What will you do if my pet gets sick?
  • Will you stay overnight, and how often do you check the house?
  • How do you handle my keys and alarm code?
  • Can I have a list of the care tasks before I leave?
  • What happens if there is a problem with the house while I am away?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask for the dates, the pet and plant care details, the vet's name, the alarm instructions and the emergency contacts, and write them in a care sheet the owner approves.
  • Walk through the house with the owner before they leave, and photograph the rooms, the locks and the alarm panel for your records.
  • Log each visit with the time, the tasks done and photos of the pets and the plants, and send the log to the owner each day.
  • Set a rule for emergency spending, such as a set limit before calling the owner, and put it in the care sheet.
  • Confirm the keys and the alarm code are returned on the last day, and record the return in writing.
  • Keep the owner's address and the trip dates private, and say so in the agreement.

What to put on your profile

  • List the pets and plants you have cared for, and any care you do not provide.
  • Describe your visit schedule and whether you stay overnight, in plain terms.
  • Name the areas you cover and how far you travel to a home.

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a short walk through of the home after the trip, to check for any issue that was missed.
  • Suggest a seasonal check for homes that sit empty during certain months.
  • Share a list of the things the owner can do before a trip, such as stopping mail and setting lights.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required for house sitting. Keep a current business registration if you operate as a business, carry any insurance the homeowner asks for and check your state or local rules for any registration your work requires.

Questions

Do I need insurance to house sit?

Homeowners often ask for proof of coverage. Ask your insurer whether your policy covers this work, and offer the proof the owner asks for.

What if I find a problem in the house?

Photograph it, call the owner right away and follow the emergency plan in the care sheet. Do not fix anything beyond the agreed limit without approval.

Can I bring my own pets to the home?

Only with the owner's written permission. Confirm the rules for other animals before you arrive, since pets can affect the home and the resident animals.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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