How to Prepare for a House Sitter: Preparation of Instructions, Hospitable Home And Safety

You’ve booked your trip and found a sitter. Now what? There’s a lot to sort out, huh? Making your sitter feel welcome is super important. Basically, they’ll be living at your place while you’re gone, so diligent planning matters.

So, how to prepare for a house sitter? This guide will walk you through everything you need to do to set up your home for your hire’s arrival and keep it convenient and safe.

Essential Steps to Prepare Your Home for a House Sitter

First, start with the basics. This is more about organizational stuff in your house:

Make sure everything is neat. Set out fresh towels and linens. A clean home will make your sitter feel comfortable immediately.

• Clear space in the bedroom drawers for easy unpacking. Do the same in the bathroom for toiletries and towels.
• Put away anything valuable in a safe spot. It’s important for both of you to feel secure.
• If you have a pet, keep its food and toys where the hire can easily find them.
• It’s a good idea to stock up on provisions and household supplies, too. Also, leave spare keys just in case.

If you do these things, your sitter will feel at home and do their job better.

Creating Comprehensive House Sitting Instructions

When you invite someone to your living space, you need to provide them with detailed guidance about how everything in your house works.

Here’s a basic checklist of things to include in your house sitting instructions:

• Leave a home manual with all the essential information about the security system, fire extinguisher, etc., and put it in a visible spot for quick and easy access.
• Mention doing everyday tasks like cleaning, taking care of plants, getting mail, and throwing away trash.
• Add info about your pet’s feeding, walking, and vet details.
• Ensure quick tips for the thermostat or anything important.
• Mention house rules, if any, like no smoking inside.

Upon creating this simple list of instructions for house sitter, you’ll enable them to effectively complete the tasks, giving you peace of mind while you’re away.

What Makes a Good Host: Tips for Homeowners

The house is clean, and the instructions are ready. But how do you really make a good first impression and help your hire feel comfortable? It’s all about your attention to detail and friendly communication. Check out these recommendations about how to be a good host at home:

• You and your sitter should meet in advance to get to know each other. You should then show them around your home and point out where pet supplies and food are.
• Go over together about instructions and notes about routines, feeding, and anything special your pet needs.
• Ask about your hire’s favorite food, hobbies, preferred cleaning products, and other details. Prepare the essentials and some snacks, and decide on entertainment activities so they feel at ease.
• If you have a pet, let your sitter meet it before you leave. It’ll make both of them more comfortable.
• Make a welcome meal. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You can serve the family’s favorite dish or even a pre-made lunch. Keeping it simple helps everyone feel more at home.

A little prep makes a big difference. Your sitter will feel at ease, providing the necessary house maintenance.

Preparing Your Home: Security and Comfort Considerations

When inviting a house sitter, it’s essential to ensure they are comfortable and your home remains safe. First, when you create house sitter instructions, think about security: lock all doors and windows and let them know how to use any alarms or locks. 

If you have a security system, give them the code or access details. Leave a key in an easy spot, just in case they need it.

Then, make sure everything is set up for your hire’s arrival. Put clean sheets and towels out for them. Leave clear instructions on using the heater, TV, and other appliances. Maybe make a little guide with the Wi-Fi password, where things are in the kitchen, or how to use the coffee machine.

Have a list of emergency contacts visible in case something comes up. Include your phone number and a neighbor’s contact. And, if they would like to explore, share a list of nearby shops or restaurants.

How to Ensure a Smooth Experience for Both Host and Sitter

A house sitter helps you when you need to be away by ensuring your place is safe. And a bit of prep from your side can make things easier for both parties involved, whether it’s a short trip or a longer vacation. Find out what makes a great host so both you and your hire get a positive experience.

Let a Sitter Know Your Environment

Only you know everything about your house. So, if there are some quirks, like a tricky door or light switch, let them know. Also, tell them where the local stores or bus stops are, too. Share any extra tips that could help them feel at home and make things easier for them.

When you invite someone in, you’re also letting them into your pet’s space. Pets can react differently to new people. Some might be nervous, others excited. So, it’s a good idea to introduce your sitter to your pets in advance so they all feel at ease.

Discuss Your Desired Updates While You’re Away

Some homeowners prefer no updates unless there’s an emergency, while others like to stay informed. Whatever your preference, be clear. 

House sitters feel more comfortable knowing your needs if you specify whether you prefer updates by phone, email, or text and mention any specific check-in times.

Provide Your Estimated Arrival Time on Your Return Trip

If you need to change your return time, give the house-sitter plenty of notice. They usually like to plan ahead, especially for cleaning. If possible, let them have a restful last night in your home, especially if they have a long journey.

Thank Them

Thanking someone who helps you out is important, but people often forget to say it. Many see house-sitters as taking advantage of free accommodation. But everyone wants to be appreciated for their work. 

So, leave a handwritten thank-you note where they’ll see it, like by the house manual. A small gift card for a local coffee shop is a nice touch, too.

Final Preparations Before Your House Sitter Arrives

You’re almost there; your house sitter is coming to your place. It’s a good idea to check everything and ensure all the essentials are considered:

• Lock up all doors and windows.
• Purchase additional stuff if required.
• Make sure the security system is set. 
• Give them keys or codes, and let them know how to reach you. 
• Organize pet supplies and grooming stuff in one spot. 
• If you have plants, show them where to water. 
• Adjust the thermostat so it’s comfortable.

Now that you know how to prepare for house sitter, you can be a great host for your hire. Enjoy your vacation with peace of mind while your space is in good hands!

Connecting with Reliable House Sitters Through FlatRover

If you use a service like FlatRover, you can enjoy your vacation or business trip while your sitter cares for your living space. This platform helps you connect with caring sitters who will provide excellent housekeeping tasks and pet care, ensuring you can travel with confidence and peace of mind. 

So, whether you need a pet or house sitter, find a reliable candidate on our convenient platform. You can also keep up with our updates and news by subscribing to and following us on social media!

Conclusion

To wrap it up, getting ready for a house sitter is all about ensuring safety and comfort in every detail. A welcoming atmosphere, secure environment, and clean surroundings – that is what it takes. Several organizational steps will allow for a positive experience for both you and your hire.

FAQ

What should I clean or organize before the house sitter arrives?

To make your house sitter comfortable, you need to consider all the essentials beforehand. This includes:

• Creating clear and detailed instructions about house maintenance. 
• Clean all the common areas and prepare a guest room with nice bedding.
• Make sure your food supply, toiletries, and kitchen conveniences are stocked up. 
• Providing some of the sitter’s favorite snacks would be a nice touch. 
• If you own a pet, ensure the necessary supplies and specifications are ready.

You can ask your sitter for more specific needs, if any. This will ensure a positive experience.

What kind of information do I need to leave for the house sitter?

Leave all the critical details for your house sitter:

• Write down emergency contacts, house rules, and Wi-Fi info.
• Explain how the security system, emergency exit, and fire extinguisher work.
• Give clear instructions for taking care of pets or plants. 
• Point out where cleaning supplies are. 
• Let them know how to contact you.

Make a checklist that’s easy to read and understand.

How can I make my home welcoming for a house sitter?

To ensure your house sitter feels comfortable at your place, be attentive to details:

• Put fresh linens on the bed and leave clean towels out. 
• Give them space in the drawers for their things.
• Make sure everything is working.
• Prepare a welcoming meal and talk a bit to break the ice.
• A small welcome note helps, too.

These small actions will help your hire feel at ease and do their duties effectively.

What are the essential items I should provide to the house sitter?

Remember to leave the basic things, such as clean towels, fresh sheets, and toiletries. Furthermore, think about food. You must stock the kitchen with snacks, coffee, and some easy-to-make meals. If you have a pet, put out pet food, toys, and anything else they might need. Just make sure your contract worker doesn’t lack anything while taking care of your house.

How do I handle house keys and security instructions for my house sitter?

Don’t forget to hand over spare keys and provide access codes. Leave the keys in a simple, safe spot. Also, share clear instructions for the security system, such as alarm codes or how to lock up, so your sitter feels at ease.