Handing Over Your Home: A Comprehensive Checklist for your Housesitter

Before You Go: A Comprehensive Checklist for Homeowners

So, you've planned your dream vacation and you've found the perfect house sitter to take care of your home while you're away. Congratulations! Now comes the important task of ensuring they have everything they need to maintain your home and keep everything shipshape in your absence. Here's a handy checklist to make sure you're fully prepared to hand over the reins:

1. Create an Information Pack

Put together a comprehensive information pack containing all the essential material your house sitter will need to provide top-quality care to your home. This pack should include:

-Contact Information: Leave your contact details so your house sitter can reach you if needed.
-Emergency Contact Information: Provide details of a trusted friend or neighbor who can assist in case of emergencies.
-Visitors Policy: Specify any restrictions on visitors to your home.
-Rules and Regulations: Include relevant by-laws or lease agreements.
-Home Contents Restrictions: Make a list of items or rooms off-limits to the house sitter.

2. Notify Others of Your Departure

Inform your neighbors, friends, and family about your house-sitting arrangements to avoid misunderstandings. Also, contact your insurance company and service providers to update them about the situation.

3. Prepare Your Home

Get your home in shipshape condition by storing breakables and valuables securely, cleaning the premises, and organizing perishable items. Consider shutting down parts of your home that won't be used by the house sitter.

4. Prepare Your Animals

Thoroughly pet-proof your home and educate the house sitter on caring for your pets. Provide a detailed companion checklist for pet owners that includes and feeding/walking instructions along with your Vet's contact information.

5. Prepare to Travel

Set up a travel-friendly email address, make an inventory of valuables, and organize your travel documents.

6. Services

Inform your house sitter about trash collection, recycling, subscriptions, and other essential services.

7. Attend to Your House Sitter's Needs

-Before you leave, ensure there's an ample supply of food, beverages, and other necessities available for your house sitter's use.

-Prepare a Welcome Pack: Consider putting together a welcome pack with essential information about the house, neighborhood, and any instructions they might need during their stay.

-Familiarize Them with Home Systems: Show your house sitter how to operate any appliances, security systems, or other home features they may need to use.

-Ensure Comfort: Make sure the house is clean, tidy, and welcoming for their arrival. Consider leaving fresh linens, towels, and other amenities to enhance their comfort during their stay.

8. Utilities

Ensure your house sitter knows how to manage utilities such as gas, electric, heating, and water systems.

9. Grounds Maintenance

Provide guidance on pool maintenance, garden tools, lawn care, and other outdoor tasks.

10. Security

Discuss security systems, window locks, and other safety measures with your house sitter to ensure your home remains secure.

Phew! That's quite the checklist, but rest assured, once everything is in order, you can leave home knowing your house sitter is well-prepared to take on their responsibilities. Now, it's time to relax and enjoy your trip!