House Sitter Handbook

Leaving your home in someone else’s care can feel a bit unsettling. Did you remember to explain how the alarm works? What day is garbage pickup? Where’s the water shut-off? What if your pet has an emergency? The House Sitter Handbook provides the information you need to leave for your house sitter so they are comfortable in your home and know what to do in an emergency.

A House Sitter Handbook keeps all of the important information in one place, so your house sitter can confidently care for your home, pets, and daily routines while you’re away. Whether you’re gone for a weekend or an entire month, this printable binder will give you peace of mind while you travel.

Why Should You Have A House Sitter Binder?

Instead of texting instructions throughout your trip, give your house sitter one organized place to find everything they need. That means fewer interruptions for you and more confidence for them.

• Instead of sticky notes, everything is organized in one place.
• There will be no need to search through texts to find the answer they’re looking for.
• A notebook would work, but a House Sitter Handbook with sections makes finding the information much easier.
• When you don’t have to rely on memory, nothing important gets forgotten.

Who Should Use A House Sitter Handbook?

A House Sitter Handbook is helpful for anyone leaving their home in someone else’s care. Whether you’re leaving for a few days or a few weeks, having all of your important information organized in one place gives both you and your house sitter peace of mind.

A House Sitter Handbook is perfect for:

Families Going On Vacation

Heading out for a family vacation? Instead of trying to remember every detail before you leave, organize your home’s information, daily routines, emergency contacts, and instructions in one easy-to-access binder.

Frequent Travelers

If you travel often for work or fun, a House Sitter Handbook saves time by keeping everything organized. Just update your itinerary before each trip instead of rewriting instructions every time.

Snowbirds

If you spend the winter in a warmer place, a detailed handbook helps your house sitter care for your home over an extended period by providing information about maintenance schedules, contractors, mail collection, and more.

Pet Owners

If your house sitter will also be caring for your pets, the included Pet Care section makes it easy to record feeding schedules, exercise routines, medications, and important veterinary information so your pets can stay on their normal routine.

Friends or Family Watching Your Home

Even if someone knows your home well, they may not know where you keep important items, how your appliances work, or what to do in an emergency. A House Sitter Handbook eliminates the guesswork and helps everyone feel more confident.

Professional House Sitters

Professional house sitters appreciate having organized instructions that clearly explain your home’s routines, expectations, and emergency procedures. The handbook serves as a quick reference throughout their stay.

What’s in the House Sitter Handbook?

The House Sitter Handbook includes the following PDF pages:

• Binder Cover Insert – So you can create a professional-looking binder for your house sitter!
• Spine Insert
• Divider Tab Inserts For AVERY 11907 Dividers

Home Information

• Hello Page – To share neighborhood information your house sitter will find useful, like community social media groups and places and activities nearby.
• House Sitter 411 – The quick reference with all the important information.
• Important Contact Info For The House Sitter – In case he/she needs to get a hold of you or an emergency contact.
• Important Contact Info For The Homeowner – For the homeowner to take with them in case they need to contact the house sitter or emergency contacts.
• House Contractors – For long-term stays.
• House Usage – Lets the house sitter know which bedroom you’d like them to use, your visitor’s policy, whether or not they are allowed to use your vehicles, and spaces you’d rather they stay out of.
• Home Systems – Provides space to list passwords for wifi and the alarm system, as well as notes on how to use your computer and television.
• Household Appliances – Gives a place to explain how your appliances work.
• Just In Case … If the electricity goes out or there’s a plumbing issue, your house sitter can check this sheet to know where to find flashlights or turn off the water.
• When You Arrive At The House – Where should your house sitter park? What is the best way to enter your home? This sheet will spell it out for your house sitter.
• When You Leave The House – Should certain lights be left on? Are there lights on timers? What about curtains or blinds to close? This is the spot to spell out your expectations.
• Household Services – Mail, garbage, cleaning, or gardening services should be relayed to your house sitter so they can pick up the mail, not let the garbage pile up, and know when to expect someone at the house to clean or garden. (If you would prefer to place your mail on hold, you can request a temporary mail hold through USPS Hold Mail.)
• Itinerary – So the house sitter knows where you are and has an alternate way to contact you, if needed. The itinerary also lets the house sitter know when you will return, so he/she will be prepared to leave the home in good shape!

Daily Household Tasks

• Plant Care – Indoor and outdoor watering schedule.
• Daily Schedule – This is a perfect place to list out daily tasks by time of day.
• Weekly Schedule – A weekly schedule will allow you to list tasks that may only happen once a week, like garbage pickup.
• Monthly Schedule – The monthly schedule can give a quick snapshot of what happens, when.
• Notes – For any extra information you would like to share with your house sitter.

Bonus! Pet Care Information

• Cover Sheet
• Pet 411 – A quick, one-page information sheet on your pet. Have more than one pet? Print as many copies as you need!
• Pet Sitter 411 – A snapshot of your pet’s important information.
• Chore Chart – A checklist so your sitter knows she’s completed the tasks your pet is used to.
• Exercise Tracker – A way to track that your pet has gotten the exercise he/she has grown accustomed to.
• Pet Supplement & Medication Chart – Lists medications/supplements, units, dosage, and days they should be given, to avoid error.
• Medication Tracker – The perfect way to track whether medications have been given so your pet doesn’t end up with a double dose.
• Pet Schedule – This is the place to list your pet’s daily schedule so they can stay on their normal routine while you are away.
• Notes – To share any extra information about your pet, including their personality and habits.

Get Your House Sitter Printables Here!

Want to fill out the House Sitter Handbook fields on your computer instead of writing by hand? You can purchase the Fillable House Sitter Handbook that makes it easy to update your information for every trip.

Frequently Asked Questions