House sitting has taken off across the UK, with sites like TrustedHousesitters matching homeowners with vetted sitters for everything from a long weekend to a three-month trip away. Handing your keys to someone else takes more thought than people expect, and a bit of prep makes the whole thing run smoothly.
Keys and Getting Into the House
Access is the first thing to nail down, and it’s the part that goes wrong most often. Your sitter needs keys that actually turn, which sounds obvious until a stiff lock or a badly cut spare leaves someone stuck on the doorstep. It’s a common complaint from sitters and homeowners alike, so it’s worth dealing with before you leave.
Older mortice locks and specialist cylinders are the usual culprits. A worn key might still work for you because you know its little quirks, but a newcomer won’t have that knack. The fix is simple. Get fresh duplicates cut a few days before your sitter turns up, then test every one in the lock yourself. If you’d rather not trek to a locksmith, an online key duplication service can cut accurate keys to code and post them out, often for next-day delivery.
Always leave a spare somewhere sensible, whether that’s a key safe by the door or with a trusted neighbour. If a particular door or window needs a certain technique, like lifting the handle before you turn the key, write it down. A short “lock guide” saves your sitter a panicked phone call while you’re abroad.
Pets, Plants and Daily Routines
If you’ve got animals, this is probably your main reason for hiring a sitter in the first place. Write out feeding times, portions, where the food lives and any vet details. Note the small things too, like which cat won’t eat unless you sit with it, or the dog that needs a slow walk because of a dodgy hip.
Plants, post and bins all need a mention as well. Jot down the bin collection days and which colour goes out when, because nothing annoys neighbours faster than an overflowing wheelie bin. A simple printed sheet on the kitchen counter beats a long text chain every time.
Utilities, Appliances and the Odd Surprise
Every home has its quirks. The boiler that needs a firm thump, the shower that runs cold for thirty seconds, the back door that sticks in damp weather. You live with these things without thinking, but a sitter won’t have a clue. Walk through the practical stuff and leave clear notes covering:
- Heating and hot water controls
- Wi-Fi name and password
- Which appliances are temperamental
- Where the stopcock and fuse box are
- What to do if the power trips
It’s also worth checking your home insurance before you go. Some policies have rules about how long a property can be left, and a house sitter staying over can change where you stand. A quick call to your insurer clears it up and saves any nasty surprises later.
Setting Expectations Without Hovering
Letting someone into your space can feel odd, even when you trust them. The trick is being clear from the start about what’s fine and what isn’t. Can they have a guest over? Use the home office? Park on the drive? Say so plainly so nobody has to guess.
Give them a proper emergency contact list as well, with your number, a backup person nearby and details for your vet, plumber and electrician. Once that’s all written down, you can actually switch off and enjoy your time away.
