This article details 5 important questions every homeowner should ask a potential house sitter. Finding the right sitter can feel like a daunting task, especially as you’re entrusting someone to look after your home and pets.
As homeowners, you want to ensure that the person you choose is responsible, trustworthy, and an all round great fit.
Asking the right questions can help weed out uncertainties and provide clarity on who the ideal sitter might be. Below, I’ve explored five key questions that every homeowner should ask potential house sitters to ensure a smooth and positive experience.
Become a House Sitting Host
Before we get into the 5 important questions to ask a house sitter, here is how you get started as a house sitting host. There are numerous excellent house-sitting platforms, and I’ve detailed them in my previous post, The Best House Sitting Websites. However, the one we use most is Trusted Housesitters.
As the largest platform of its kind, Trusted Housesitters consistently offers thousands of active listings and attracts more experienced sitters than any other site. While other platforms may provide free membership for homeowners, the affordable annual fee with Trusted Housesitters is well worth it.
Homeowner membership starts at $149/year and includes unlimited house sits. Plus, with our exclusive referral code BEACHES25, you can save 25%! Click here to get started. The sign-up process is simple, and once you’ve joined, you’ll be ready to ask these 5 important questions to your potential house sitter.
“What experience do you have with house sitting and pet care?”
The first of our important questions to ask any potential house sitter is about their experience. House sitting can involve various responsibilities such as pet care, plant care, and handling issues that may arise. By asking this question, you can gauge the sitter’s familiarity with different scenarios.
For example, if you have a senior dog that requires extra attention, you’ll want to know if the sitter has previous experience with older animals. If the sitter has handled similar situations in the past, it’s more likely they’ll be comfortable taking on your specific requirements.
In addition to pet care, it’s important to ask about their experience managing homes. Whether it’s knowing how to operate certain systems or handling the day-to-day running of a property, this question helps you understand their level of preparedness and familiarity with home management.
“How do you handle unexpected situations?”
House sitting doesn’t always go according to plan, and unexpected situations can arise, ranging from minor issues like a pet acting out to more serious concerns like a home emergency. It’s important to ask potential sitters how they might handle these variable scenarios.
You don’t want to scare potential sitters away, but be honest about events that may have occurred or that are likely to crop up during their stay. A great house sitter should be able to stay calm in these unexpected situations and take logical steps to resolve them.
You also want to clarify when they would need to contact you. While some minor issues can be handled without disturbing you, it’s important to establish a clear line of communication for more serious matters. Asking this question helps ensure that both you and the sitter are on the same page.
“What do you plan to do with your time during the house sit?”
Availability is another crucial factor to consider when selecting a house sitter. You want to ensure the sitter will be around without any conflicting commitments that could interfere with their responsibilities. This question allows you to understand how present and engaged they will be during the sit.
For instance, some house sitters may also work remotely or have other obligations. While it’s perfectly fine for a sitter to have a flexible schedule and enjoy some free time, it’s important to ensure that they’re still able to dedicate the necessary time to your home and pets. Clarifying their rough itinerary upfront helps set expectations.
Additionally, if you have routines for your pets – like regular walks or feeding schedules – you’ll want to ensure the sitter is available to maintain those routines. A sitter who is too busy with other commitments at important times of the day may struggle to provide the level of attention and care you’re looking for.
“Can you provide references or reviews from past sits?”
The best way to assess a house sitter’s reliability and trustworthiness is through their references or reviews from previous house sits. So, this is one of the most important questions to ask potential house sitters. Understanding how well the sitter has performed in the past gives you an idea of what to expect.
If the sitter is new and doesn’t have many reviews yet, they should still have character reviews on their profile. Even if they haven’t house sat before, personal references can speak to their responsibility and trustworthiness. If you don’t see any references, it’s fine to ask these questions of your house sitter.
Reviews often provide detailed feedback about how the sitter has previously interacted with pets, maintained a home, and communicated with the homeowner. Reading about other homeowners’ experiences can help you feel more confident in your choice. If there are specifics relevant to your sit, ask these questions too.
“Can we have a phone or video interview before the sit?”
While messaging back and forth on a house-sitting platform is a good starting point, a phone or video call will provide more clarity about the sitter’s personality and professionalism. This question ensures that the sitter is open to further communication, and it also allows you to get to know them better.
A video or phone interview is ideal for discussing specific details about your home, pets, and expectations in real time. You can also assess the sitter’s tone, attitude, and enthusiasm. This direct interaction can reveal a lot about how comfortable you’ll feel having the person in your home.
During the interview, you can ask follow-up questions based on your initial conversation and provide the sitter with an opportunity to ask you questions as well. This back-and-forth is essential for building trust and ensuring that both parties are clear on what’s expected during the sit.
Further Help and Advice
Our website is packed with helpful information to guide you through the house sitting process. Next, I’d recommend reading How to Prepare for a House Sitter, this gives you all the inside information for a successful exchange from the house sitter’s POV.
We even have articles to help you write the perfect listing for your home and pets, and how to put together a comprehensive welcome guide for your sitters. Head over to our dedicated Homeowners and Hosts Page to view all of our current articles.
Conclusion
Selecting a house sitter is about finding someone you can trust to take care of both your home and your pets with the same care and attention you would. Asking these five key questions will help you find the right fit.
The answers will provide valuable insight into the sitter’s capabilities, reliability, and personality, ensuring a positive and stress-free house-sitting experience.
By taking the time to ask these questions, you’ll not only have the best chance of achieving peace of mind while you’re away, but you’ll also give the sitter a chance to understand your expectations clearly. A transparent, open conversation is the foundation of a successful house sit.
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