Responsibilities of a house sitter
A house sitter is a person who stays in or regularly visits a home while the owners are away to perform tasks like pet care, plant watering, and security checks. The arrangements can range from a free exchange of services for accommodation to a paid professional service, depending on the scope of work. Responsibilities are determined by a mutual agreement between the homeowner and sitter.
A sitter’s duties can include:
- Pet care: Feeding, walking, playing with, and administering medication to pets. This allows animals to remain in a familiar, comfortable environment.
- Home security: Creating a lived-in appearance to deter intruders. This includes collecting mail, turning lights on and off, and setting alarm systems.
- Plant and yard maintenance: Watering indoor and outdoor plants, and potentially mowing the lawn or maintaining a garden.
- General upkeep: Performing light cleaning, such as sweeping, vacuuming, and cleaning up after themselves.
- Monitoring systems: Checking for potential issues with the furnace, water heater, or pipes.
- Handling emergencies: Responding to unforeseen events like a burst pipe or power outage.
