You’ve booked the holiday and found a sitter to look after your home while you’re gone. But rather than just handing them a key and waving them a cheery goodbye, make sure your sitter knows the do’s and don’ts of how you’d like your home to be cared for while you’re gone
Talk about security
Holiday periods are prime break-in times, so even though you have a sitter, make sure your home is a little safer by making sure they know about all your security protocols, like which lights you leave on at night and if you close curtains. Point out any recurring security issues in your area, such as driveway hold-ups or petty theft that happens when windows are left open.
Alarm systems can be tricky to manage, so explain yours in exact detail, along with any info on your security company. Even though you sitter is conscientious, opportunistic criminals look for any signs that homeowners are away, so ask your sitter to remove junkmail that’s piling up and bring in the outside bin dustbin on rubbish collection days. Alert a close neighbour or friend that you will be away, in case your sitter needs to turn to them for assistance during an emergency. Give them the sitter’s number, too, in case they notice something suspicious and leave a spare set of keys in case of emergencies.
Point out what’s off-limits
We’ve all heard horror stories of sitters reading the prized wine collection, eating expensive steaks you’ve frozen for your return or having parties while looking after your house. But unless you prepare your sitter and do a thorough run-through of their responsibilities, you only have yourself to blame if things go wrong. As uncomfortable as what the conversation may be, go through a list of things that are off limits, and discuss what’s important to you. You may want to designate a room that is off limits, and store expensive and special items there that you don’t want broken or damaged.
Give them emergency details
Provide your sitter with the contact information of where you’ll be staying and a copy of your itinerary in case of emergencies. This list should include the local emergency services, hospital, and doctor. If they’re pet sitting for you, include the number of your local vet, and a 24-hour veterinary service for emergencies. Tell them where the closest grocery shops and petrol stations are, and list lovely places in your area that are worth a visit, from coffee shops and parks to art galleries.
Explain house routines
Take your sitter through any expected duties and important information, like which days the rubbish is collected on. Chat through it, but write down pertinent info, like WiFi and Netflix passwords and which network you belong to, and how to reload water or electricity smart meters, and stick it up on the fridge for easy reference. If you recycle, run through which dustbins get what thrown away in them, and if anything goes into a special compost bin. If you have a pool, have enough chemicals available for your house sitter to use, and leave clear written instructions on when and how to use them. Demonstrate how to use the TV remote and show them anything that’s not self-explanatory, like a washing machine in an outside laundry.
If the sitter is looking after your pets, talk about meal-times and any medication they need, where they sleep and areas they are, and aren’t, allowed in the house.
Encourage your sitter to ask questions and don’t be afraid to talk about how you’d like things to work in your house and any boundaries you’d like to set – it will make you feel more at ease about leaving your home in someone else’s hands.
Ask them to look after your garden
There’s nothing more dispirting than returning home from a holiday than to find your lawn brown and plants wilted or dead. Leave your house sitter with instructions on when and how much to water plants indoors and outdoors. An app like SweepSouth makes it easy to book a reliable and vetted gardener to come in at least once while you’re away to mow the lawn and tidy the garden. Book a domestic worker through SweepSouth, too, for the day before you get back, to make sure you arrive home to a sparkling clean home.
Lastly, make an effort to ensure your sitter feels welcome. Clean and tidy the house before they arrive, and definitely don’t leave dirty laundry on the floor or dirty dishes in the skink! If you’ll be away for a long period, clear some space in the wardrobe for them to pack their clothes. Put clean sheets on the bed and provide clean towels. You’ll have made arrangements with your sitter regarding groceries, but the bare minimum should be necessities like toilet paper, toiletry soap, dishwashing liquid and bin bags.
Consider what your sitter’s experience will be like, and make an effort to make them feel welcome. A lovely gesture would be having a meal, even a simple one, or the prepared and in the fridge, for their first night in your home.
Also read: Simple ways to make your holiday season more sustainable