In my experience the two key aspects to a house sit being fantastic is great communication and both parties being very clear on expectations!

​

Communication

Once you have been shortlisted for a video or phone call, you will likely have swapped phone numbers or email addresses.  A good idea during the interview is to establish best method/s of communication if you are chosen to do the house sit.  Be clear on what this communication looks like prior to the sit, and during the sit.

​

For all the sits I have done in the UK, Ireland, and Europe, I have used WhatsApp for communication with all the homeowners, its free and you can use it for messaging (including uploading photos and videos), video calls, and phone calls.

​

Keep the homeowner informed of your arrival time, be clear on when you can / will leave.  And for whatever reason, if anything changes, including you arriving later than expected, or not being able to do the sit, let the home owner know as soon as possible, so they can make alternative arrangements.

​

Expectations

Both you and the homeowner will have expectations about the house sit.  Ideally, both parties will be very clear on these from questions asked before the sit, and from the interview process.  If questions arise before the sit or during, then please reach out to the homeowner.

​

Things that need to be clear or that are good to find out are;

• Arrival and departure times

• Whether there will be a 'handover'

• Amount of communication while the homeowner is away and what this looks like

• Care of pets including; feeding, what the animal can or can't eat, exercise, play,
  cuddles, medication, sleeping arrangements, allergies, etc.

• How long, dogs especially, can be left on their own

• Is the dog ok in a vehicle and is it ok to take the dog out for trips

• What is the dog like on public transport, including different forms of public
  transport

• What is the dog like on/off lead and what is the dogs recall like

• Does the dog have any habits you need to be aware of e.g. chases cats, barks
  at people on bikes, is a scavenger, etc.

• Both parties being clear that there will be enough food, treats, medication, etc. for
  the entire time that the pet owners will be away (sounds logical, but I have heard
  this hasn't always been the case for some house sitters!)

• Being clear on cleanliness/tidiness of house by both parties (I've heard horror
  stories by both house sitters and homeowners on this one!)

• Rubbish collections including; what days, when to put out on the kerb, what gets
  recycled, etc.

• Mail delivery

• Are they expecting any deliveries e.g. online sh

• Find out if there are any supermarkets near by, and whether they do deliveries

• Find out about public transport, taxis, Uber, etc.

​

These are the sorts of questions to ask pet owners as part of the application and interview process, so that expectations are clear and you know what you are signing up for!

​

Like everything in life, no question is a stupid question, so just get asking.  The more you know, the better the sit will go for everyone.