Should You Hire A House Sitter?

If you're planning a trip, you might have considered organising a house sitter to watch your possessions or your pets. If you're still not sure whether a house sitter is right for you, read on to learn more about what they do and what benefits they might have for your home security and your peace of mind.

House Sitters And What They Do

When you hire a house sitter, you're paying someone to live in your home while you're away - you generally agree on a set fee beforehand. While some people ask their friends or family members to take care of their homes while they're away, others hire professional sitters. The duties and responsibilities of your house sitter will depend on your home and on your particular requirements, but they might range from feeding pets and mowing lawns to collecting mail.

There are several reasons why someone might hire a house sitter while they're away. These include:

• Pets in the home - you'll be able to keep your pet in their natural environment and ensure they're well taken care of
  
• Plants - you'll ensure your indoor and outdoor plants are kept healthy and watered
  
• Added security - you'll have the peace of mind that someone is on hand to keep your home safe and secure

Pet care might be the most important priority for you when you hire a house sitter, but sitters can take care of many other things around the home.
 
For example, they'll keep your home maintained - from housework to garden maintenance, the scope of their duties is dependent on your own wishes and needs.
 
With a house sitter, you'll also afford your home the valuable security you're trying to maintain. Your home will be lived in, and there will be signs of activity, which will discourage any opportunistic thieves looking for an easy break-in. This means you'll truly be able to focus your attention where it matters, instead of worrying about the security and safety of your home.
 
If something goes wrong at home while you're away, having a house sitter on hand will ensure there are no significant problems or consequences. Imagine a pipe bursts, a heater fails, or your fridge suddenly stops functioning. If there's no one at home, these issues will not be resolved and can even lead to significant damage and the need for extensive repairs. A house sitter will be around to notice any issues and call for relevant assistance and maintenance when required, so you'll have the peace of mind that any problems will be resolved before they become bigger disasters.

Once you find a trustworthy sitter - either a friend, relative or professional - organise a meeting to get to know them and go through what the job requires. If you have a pet, this is also a great opportunity to get a sense of how they'll relate to a sitter.
 
When it comes time to leave, ensure you provide a list of all duties and emergency contacts your sitter might need. 

If you need to improve the security of your Tamworth home or business, look to Advanced Security Group. We're passionate about security, and our professional expertise, outstanding products, and efficient installation and maintenance services speak for themselves. Our friendly team is on hand to work with your unique security needs, so contact us on 1300 130 618 to learn more.