If you’re thinking about using a house sitter for the first time, it’s totally normal to feel a bit unsure. After all, you’re inviting someone into your home and trusting them with your beloved pets.
But don’t worry – thousands of Kiwi homeowners do this every single year, and with a few simple steps, you can feel confident too. Here’s some simple advice to help get you enjoying stress free travel while using house and pet sitters.
House sitting and pet sitting are popular all over New Zealand. At Kiwi House Sitters, we’ve helped connect thousands of homeowners with reliable sitters across the country. Whether you’re in Auckland, Wellington, or a quiet spot in the South Island, there’s a good chance your neighbours have used a sitter too. Take a look at the reviews on our site and you’ll see many happy homeowners and house-sitters who have come together through house sitting.
It’s really important that you feel comfortable with the sitter you have chosen. It’s your home and your pets, so take your time to find the right person. Chat with them over Zoom or meet them in person if you can. This helps you make sure they are the right fit. Read through their reviews to see what other homeowners have said about their previous house sits. You can always ask for a referee and give them a call if you feel like you need a bit of extra reassurance.
Remember, there’s no rush – you’ll know when you’ve found the right fit.
If you’re feeling nervous, start by looking for sitters with lots of experience. Many of our sitters have cared for homes and pets all over New Zealand, from beautiful, lifestyle blocks in Waikato to cute apartments in Dunedin. Having a house sitter with a proven track record can give you extra peace of mind, especially if it’s your first time leaving your home and animals with a sitter.
Meeting your sitter beforehand is a great way to ease those first-time jitters. If they’re nearby, invite them over for a cuppa to meet your pets and show them around your home. If this isn’t possible, a video call works just as well. It’s a great opportunity to see if they’re the right fit and to go over any details, like any pet medication needs or how your cat insists on breakfast at 6am sharp.
It’s not just you – first-time sitters can feel nervous too! They are putting themselves out there and hoping that owners will choose them for their house sit. After an initial chat, both owners and sitters tend to feel much more at ease.
As one homeowner in Tauranga put it,
“After five minutes on Zoom, I knew they’d treat my home like their own.”
If something doesn’t feel quite right, that’s OK. You’re not obligated to choose the first sitter who applies. House sitting works best when the owner and sitter are a good fit, so keep looking until you find someone who feels like the perfect match for you and your pets.
Posted an ad and decided you aren’t ready for a house sitter yet? No worries. You can let any interested sitters know your plans have shifted and deactivate your ad. You can always repost it later when you’re feeling more confident and ready to have a house sitter.
If you decide house sitting isn’t for you, that’s totally fine. There are other options, like catteries, kennels, or asking a family member to help out. If you are looking for pet care options, SPCA NZ has some great advice on how to choose a pet boarding facility.
Once you’ve found your perfect sitter, use our online messaging system to share all the details about your house sit, like when’s rubbish day, any specific garden care needs, even your dog’s favourite walking route. This way you know the sitter understands all the details about your house sit.
You can even ask for some photo updates of your furry friends while you are away. It’s such a nice way to see your pets being happily taken care of in their own home.
Most Kiwis rely on mutual trust and clear communication, but if you do want something more formal, we’ve got a basic agreement template you can use. It can be handy for outlining specific tasks like watering pot plants or mail collection details.
If you’re still feeling unsure, you can always start with a short sit, like a weekend away. Many homeowners find that after one positive experience they see how great house sitting can be for them and their pets, and they’re keen to do it again.
Place your homeowner ad here or check out our FAQs for more tips.
Kia ora, I’ve been with y’all for 30 months, at first idea was, upon returning home from 40 years overseas I’d have places to go and see tween visits with Family. First year found I really enjoyed animals as years at sea fulltime, no pets! With refs accumulating I’ve been busy with housesits ever since, have a whole new range of friends etc. No rent bills, no vet bills, no electricity bills, perks! I only have my pension and small camper and live the life of Reilly! So- THANKYOU!!!! Ian
