The ultimate house sitter checklist

Updated 8 Nov 2024

Thinking about house sitting soon, or secured the sit of your dreams and getting prepared? Great - find everything you need to give the house and pets your all with this house sitter checklist. 

Here you can explore a tick list of everything you’ll need to get clued-up on before the sit, during the sit, and things to remember once the sit is over - pets, home, garden and all. 

And if you’re here simply to get organized ahead of applying to your first house sit, great! An organized house sitter is a great one. To get your started on your pet sitting adventure, explore how to find a house sit with TrustedHousesitters.

Before the sit: House sitter checklist, pre-sit

So you’ve secured the sit of you’ve been hoping for - now it’s time to get organized. Below, find the ultimate checklist for house sitters to make sure you’ve got everything you need, and are clued-up on everything you need to know about the house, pets and garden.

And while you’ll have the chance to find out more about the pets, home and a full low-down on your responsibilities during the sit handover and in the welcome guide provided by the pet owners, knowledge is power! 

So, if you can, take our printable house sitting checklist with you to a video call, or better - an in-person meet up to make sure you’ve covered all the essentials before your sit begins.

Pre-sit house sitter checklist: the pets 

Explore this house sitting checklist template for everything you’ll need to know about the pets before your sit begins:

• Vet details. Is there a 24-hour service available? Who should you contact if you need an appointment?
• Emergency contact. Are there any trusted neighbors or friends nearby?
• Vet medication. Do you need to administer any? What are the instructions?
• Health. Are there any medical conditions the pets have?
• Food and treats. What are the schedules, where is it all located and will you need to top up?
• House rules. Are any areas out of bounds? Any specific bed times?
• Pet essentials. Where are toys, poop bags, the bed and leash kept? 
• Pet behavior. Is there anything to be cautious about, any tips on avoiding unwanted behavior?
• Reimbursements. Will they be leaving a small fund should you need to pay for the vet, food or any other pet essentials?
• Exercise and training. What are their daily activity levels?
• Litter box. Where is it kept, where is the litter and how often does it need to be changed?
• Garden access. Are the pets allowed outdoors? Anything to be mindful of?

Pre-sit house sitting checklist: the home

Explore this house sitting template to check off everything you’ll need to ask the home owners about before the sit starts, and things they’ll need to leave written instructions for:

• Responsibilities. What are your responsibilities around the house in order to keep everything sailing?
• Keys. Is there a set of spare keys? Does the door have any quirks? Does anyone else have keys?
• Alarm system. Are there any security systems in place? How does this work? What are the reset codes? How do I know it’s been activated?
• Internet access. Where is the router located? What is the password? How do you reset if it’s not working?
• Vehicles and parking. Is there a vehicle you can use? If you’re driving to the sit, do you need a visitor’s parking permit?
• Gas and electrics. What happens if it stops working? Where is the gas cupboard? Is there a local, trusted electricity and gas services tradesperson you can call?
• Laundry appliances. Is there a washing machine and dryer? How does it work?
• Visitors. Will you be allowed any friends or family members over during the sit?
• Appliance manuals. Do they have these for any household appliances? If so, where are they located?
• Costs. What happens if maintenance costs are incurred while the home owners are away? Maintaining these critical elements of the home will need to be covered somehow.

Pre-sit house sitting checklist: the garden

Explore the checklist for house sitters below, so that you’re prepared to look after the pet parents’ garden while they’re away. It’s always a good idea to get fully clued-up on your responsibilities, so you’re fully prepared before you arrive.

• Watering. Where is the garden hose? Is there a water butt? How often do you need to water the plants?
• Weeding. Is this your responsibility, if so, where?
• Special plant care. Do any of the indoor or outdoor plants need special attention? If so, what?
• Plants poisonous to pets. Do you need to deter the pets from any particular plants? What are the signs of toxicity?
• Swimming pool. If they have one, how should you look after it? Are you allowed in?

And there we have it - your ultimate house sitter checklist for before your sit. You should receive a welcome guide from the pet parents so that you’re all clued-up on everything pets, home and garden, but it’s always good to ask as many questions as you can think of before the sit begins.

On the day: House sitter checklist for the handover

You’ve landed a new house and pet sit. Your bags are packed and your travel has been arranged. But there’s something else you need to prepare for before you start your next house and pet sitting assignment: the handover. 

And, what is a handover, you ask? Well, handover day is one of the most important things to consider for sitters and owners - we’re covering the owner handover checklist here. This is the day when you’ll have your last opportunity to know everything you need to know about the pets, the home and the job you’re taking on. For that reason, we’ve put together this handy handover checklist for sitters. That way, you won’t miss a thing.

• Duties: What’s expected of you during the sit?
• Ask for a home tour: Super helpful for knowing where everything lives.
• Guest policies: Are you allowed friends round? Always check this before inviting people over.
• Security systems: Are there any security measures you should know about?
• Pet and home quirks: Are there any odd habits or extra house info you need?
• Everything about the pets: Get all the details on their routine and cover the finer finer points of caring for your new furry pals.
• Clear up communication: Get clear on whether pet parents would like updates during the sit.
• Confirm end of sit arrangements: What’s expected of you at the end of the sit?

Duties

Before you move into your sitting assignment, make sure you know very well what’s expected of you. Your duties, what to clean, how to arrange certain things, etc. Here’s a few things to know: 

• Do you have to handle chores like stripping beds, doing laundry, taking out the trash or doing the dishes? Or is there a housekeeper that handles that?
• Any instructions for taking out the garbage and recycling? Days for pickup, where to put it, etc. 
• How often should you walk the dogs? Do they have any favourite parks or walks? How often do you have to feed the birds? Basically, anything you have to do to make sure the pets in the sit are being well looked after. 

You may want to read our house sitter guidelines here. 

Ask for a home tour

From the pet’s treat tin to the fuse box and water valves, make sure you know where everything is. Would you like WiFi or to be shown how to use the television?

Guest policies

Can you have guests over? And if so, for how long? You should never invite anyone to the owner’s home before you know the owner of the house is ok with it. Remember to respect their decision if they don’t let you bring guests.

Staying secure

As well as ensuring you have a set of keys, make sure you’re aware of any alarm systems and how to operate them. It’s also good to have emergency numbers just in case anything goes wrong with the apartment/home you’re looking after. 

Other useful information you should have before starting a new sit: 

• Number for the electric/heating supply company in case there’s a power outage or a leak
• Contact of the designated person for repairs (plumbers or electricians, for example)
• Third-party emergency contact just in case you can’t get ahold of the owner of the home and pets
• Information about the go-to vet for the pets you’re going to be caring for

Quirks about their pet and home

Avoid unnecessary concern by checking whether your new pet pal has a peculiar habit or problem, and if the home has any stiff locks or wobbly floorboards to watch out for. Is the front door super finicky? Is there a specific way to lock doors? Does the water in the shower take a while to get hot? Ask the owner to leave you notes and information on any of these to avoid any surprises. 

Everything about the pets: personality, schedule and routine

We’ve already discussed your needing to have the emergency number for the vet. Well, you will also need from the owners a full list of instructions to help you care for their pets with as much love and detail as if they were yours: 

• What’s their personality like? 
• Is there anything that scares them and that you should avoid?
• Do they have a strict routine? 
• Do you have to give them any medication? 
• What’s their diet and feeding schedule?
• How do they like to play? Do they have any favourite toys?
• Are they allowed to do certain things (like getting up on the couch or bed)?
• Do you need to leave the air conditioning on for them? 
• What are they like when you take them on a walk? Do they go after other animals? Are they well socialised? 

Be sure to request a Welcome Guide from your owner, too, which should cover all this and more.

Communicate about keeping in touch

Will a daily update do or would you both like to use the app to share as many pet pictures as possible? It’s important to know what the owner’s expectations are in regards to communication before starting a new house and pet sitting assignment. 

If you need more information and help, read our comprehensive pet sitter communication guide. It’s packed with lots of useful tips. 

Confirm end of sit arrangements

Discuss what time the owner expects to arrive home from their trip and whether they would like you to still be there when they get back. It’s always a good thing to leave the house as clean and tidy as you found it. And it’s also a nice gesture to replace any food items you may have used during your stay, or why not offer to pick up a few groceries for the owner so that they can relax and don’t have to run to the shops after their trip back home?

During the sit: House sitter checklist, mid-sit

The sit has finally begun and you’re in full house and pet-care swing. Take a look below at our checklist for house sitters to make sure you’re providing the best pet care possible, and you’re keeping the home and garden in order.

• Stick to the welcome guide. Aside from any general house sitting advice we can give you, stick to the instructions the pet parents have provided you with.
• Communication. Keep pet parents informed, if that’s what they’ve said they’d like. Capture happy moments where the pets are enjoying themselves!
• Create a routine. Stick to a daily schedule and to-do list to make sure you’re fulfilling your house and pet sitting duties.
• Collect the post. Don’t throw anything away - store it somewhere safe for when the home owners return.
• Security first. Always lock the doors and windows, and follow the pet parents’ instructions on any security systems.

After the sit: House sitter checklist, post-sit

Last but not least, explore our checklist for house sitters for after the sit, to make sure you’ve left a lasting impression, and you’re sure to be welcomed back next time!

• Follow the welcome guide. If pet parents have left any special requests for the end of the sit, remember to honor these duties.
• Leave it as you found it. Be sure to leave the house and garden tidy, as you found it.
• Wait for pet parents if requested. Many home owners like a crossover at the end of the sit so that pets aren’t left alone, and any loose ends are tied.
• Sort reimbursements. If you’ve had to cover any home maintenance or pet essentials, sort reimbursements if you need to.
• Leave a lasting impression. It’s not vital, but it’s always nice to leave a small thank you gift - like a box of chocolates - behind for the pet parents.
• Ask for reviews. Having a great sit and happy pet parents under your belt is a win - ask for reviews to help you with future sit applications.

Not secured a sit yet, but got a keen-eye for getting organized? Great - you’re sure to make a top-notch house sitter. And now that you’re armed with the ultimate house sitter checklist, explore sits too see where your adventure could be headed next.

Tips from our members

Now that you’ve bookmarked this handy house sitter checklist, how about a few extra tips from none other than our members themselves? Our community forum is never short of house sitting tips, advice and ideas, so be sure to check it out during your pet sitting adventures.

• “I always try to meet the HO before a final decision is made and if that doesn’t happen at least a phone call, where things like cleaning standards are talked about” - @LizzyVoo
• “I ask so many Qs because I don’t want to bother the HO on their time away” - @Manda
• “As a sitter, I usually leave something to say thank you.” - @Globetrotter
• “ I always top up things like toilet tissue, paper towel, plastic wrap” - @Jodi

Useful resources

• Visit your dashboard where you can finalize any last details of your upcoming sit. 
• Pet sitting - things every pet sitter must know
• Owner guidelines for house and pet sitting
• List of questions from sitters to owners
• Who is responsible for consumables during a sit?
• Questions to ask before accepting a house sit
• What to pack for a house sit
• What to prepare for your international house sit