Professional House Sitter Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In today’s globalized world, the demand for professional house sitters has never been higher.

As the pace of life accelerates, the need for trustworthy individuals who can maintain, protect, and care for our homes while we are away intensifies.

But let’s delve deeper: What’s truly expected from a professional house sitter?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to comprehend the core responsibilities of this role,
• A homeowner drafting the perfect house sitter profile,
• Or simply fascinated by the world of professional house sitting,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we present a tailor-made professional house sitter job description template, created for effortless posting on job boards or house sitting websites.

Let’s dive right in.

Professional House Sitter Duties and Responsibilities

Professional House Sitters are responsible for maintaining a homeowner’s property, ensuring safety, and taking care of any pets or plants while the homeowner is away.

The role requires a high level of trust, and can involve a variety of tasks depending on the specific needs of the homeowner.

Professional House Sitters have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Inspect and secure the house regularly to prevent theft, damage, or other issues
• Take care of household pets, including feeding, walking, and providing any necessary medications
• Water and care for indoor and outdoor plants
• Collect mail and packages, ensuring they are secure and not left outside
• Maintain cleanliness and order within the house, including light cleaning duties and garbage disposal
• Address any unexpected issues that may arise, such as plumbing or electrical problems
• Provide regular updates to the homeowner about the status of the house and any pets or plants
• Ensure any visitors or service professionals have proper authorization before allowing them access to the property

 

Professional House Sitter Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a responsible and reliable Professional House Sitter to manage the properties of our clients when they are away.

As a Professional House Sitter, you will be responsible for maintaining the house’s security, ensuring that everything is in order and functioning correctly, and taking care of any pets, if required.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role, and must be trustworthy, respectful and demonstrate responsibility.

 

Responsibilities

• Maintain the security of the home by ensuring all windows, doors, and gates are locked and alarms are set when not on the premises
• Manage any emergencies that might arise, such as power outages or plumbing issues
• Take care of basic household chores like dusting, vacuuming, watering plants, and maintaining the garden
• If required, take care of pets by feeding them, ensuring they have fresh water and taking them for walks
• Collect mail and manage any deliveries
• Ensure that the home is clean and in order upon the homeowners’ return

 

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Professional House Sitter or similar role is preferred
• Must have a clean criminal background check
• Reliable and punctual with a professional attitude
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to manage unexpected situations that might arise at the property
• Respectful of clients’ privacy and personal belongings
• If pet care is required, experience in pet care is an asset

 

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Potential for travel
• Opportunity to enjoy different living environments

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Professional House Sitter
• Work Environment: This job requires working in different home environments. You may be required to live in the client’s home during their absence.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Agency Manager or Direct Homeowner.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $25,000 minimum to $45,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Contract-based (Full time/Part time)
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Professional House Sitter Do?

A Professional House Sitter is employed to look after a person’s home while they are away for an extended period of time.

This job role can be performed on a self-employed basis or through a house sitting agency.

Their primary responsibility is to maintain the security of the home, this can involve a variety of tasks such as picking up mail, taking out the trash, watering plants, and sometimes even caring for pets.

They ensure that the house remains clean and tidy, performing light housekeeping duties such as dusting, vacuuming, and washing dishes.

If any maintenance issues arise, such as plumbing or electrical problems, the house sitter is responsible for reporting these to the homeowner or handling minor repairs.

In the case of pet sitting, they feed, walk, and take care of the animals’ health needs.

The house sitter also provides the pets with companionship and maintains their routine to minimize stress.

A professional house sitter may also be asked to manage any emergencies that may occur, such as a break-in or fire, by contacting the appropriate authorities.

Their role is to give homeowners peace of mind that their home and pets are being well cared for in their absence.

 

Professional House Sitter Qualifications and Skills

A professional house sitter should possess a unique set of skills and qualifications to ensure that your home is well cared for during your absence, including:

• Reliability and trustworthiness, as they will be entrusted with the safety and security of your home and possessions.
• Good communication skills to liaise with homeowners, understand their needs and requirements, and to provide regular updates during their absence.
• Ability to handle emergencies by thinking quickly, remaining calm under pressure, and taking appropriate actions in case of unexpected issues like power outages or plumbing leaks.
• Basic knowledge of home maintenance and troubleshooting for common household issues such as resetting a tripped circuit breaker or dealing with a minor leak.
• Organization skills to manage tasks like mail collection, plant care, pet feeding, and ensuring the home remains clean and tidy.
• Respect for privacy and confidentiality, as they will have access to the homeowners’ personal space and belongings.
• Animal care skills if the role involves looking after pets, this includes feeding, grooming, exercising, and basic healthcare knowledge.

 

Professional House Sitter Experience Requirements

Entry-level professional house sitters often have limited or no formal experience in house sitting, but they generally possess transferable skills such as reliability, organization, and a sense of responsibility from other roles or personal experiences.

Some may have gained their early experience by house sitting for friends, neighbors, or family.

Candidates with 1 to 2 years of house sitting experience are typically more sought after, as they have demonstrated the ability to handle a variety of responsibilities.

These may include taking care of pets, maintaining gardens, and handling emergency situations such as power outages or unexpected repairs.

They may also have developed their communication skills, allowing them to effectively liaise with homeowners, neighbors, and potential repair professionals.

Professional house sitters with more than 3 years of experience usually possess a wider range of skills and have experience in handling multiple types of homes, from apartments to large estates.

They may have developed an understanding of basic home maintenance, pet care, and security protocols.

Those with over 5 years of experience in the field are typically the most sought after as they’ve proven their reliability and skill over time.

They may have dealt with a variety of unexpected situations and have the knowledge to handle them appropriately.

These seasoned professionals may also have experience in managing multiple house sitting assignments simultaneously.

 

Professional House Sitter Education and Training Requirements

While there are no specific educational requirements to become a Professional House Sitter, a high school diploma or equivalent education is usually expected.

Most of the training for this profession is on-the-job, learning from experienced house sitters and gradually taking on more responsibilities.

It is beneficial to have a background in customer service or hospitality, as the role often involves dealing with homeowners and potentially managing any issues that might arise during the homeowner’s absence.

While not required, there are various courses and certifications available that can enhance a house sitter’s skills and employability.

These might include first aid and CPR training, pet care courses, or home security certifications.

Knowledge of basic home maintenance is also beneficial as house sitters may be expected to deal with any minor issues that may occur while the homeowner is away.

Good communication and interpersonal skills are a must in this profession, as well as being reliable and trustworthy.

Certain states may require house sitters to obtain a license or bonding, especially if they will be handling keys or other secure aspects of a home.

Some house sitters also choose to obtain insurance coverage to protect themselves from potential liabilities while performing their duties.

 

Professional House Sitter Salary Expectations

The average pay for a Professional House Sitter is around $25 (USD) per hour.

However, this can greatly vary depending on factors like the location of the house, duration of the house sitting job, the responsibilities involved, and the experience of the house sitter.

Some Professional House Sitters may also charge a flat rate per day, which usually ranges between $50 to $80 (USD).

 

Professional House Sitter Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Professional House Sitter need?

A professional house sitter needs to have good communication skills in order to fully understand the house owner’s instructions.

They should be reliable, responsible, and have an eye for detail to spot any potential issues early.

Strong problem-solving abilities are essential as they may need to handle unexpected situations.

Organizational skills are also important as they may need to manage household tasks and schedules.

 

Do Professional House Sitters need a degree?

A degree is not necessary for becoming a professional house sitter.

However, certain qualifications such as a certificate in pet care or first-aid can enhance a sitter’s credibility and employability.

Many house sitters start off informally by looking after the homes of friends and family, before establishing themselves professionally.

 

What should you look for in a Professional House Sitter’s resume?

A professional house sitter’s resume should highlight their reliability and responsibility.

They should have strong references from previous house sitting jobs, indicating their trustworthiness.

If the house sitter is expected to care for pets, previous experience or qualifications in pet care should be evident.

Any qualifications or training in home security or first aid would be beneficial.

 

What qualities make a good Professional House Sitter?

A good professional house sitter is reliable, trustworthy, and has a strong sense of responsibility.

They should be able to handle unexpected situations calmly and effectively.

Excellent communication skills are also essential to ensure that they fully understand the home owner’s expectations and instructions.

If the home owner has pets, the sitter should ideally love animals and be knowledgeable about their care.

 

Is it difficult to hire a Professional House Sitter?

Hiring a professional house sitter may take some time and effort, as finding someone who is trustworthy and reliable can be challenging.

However, there are many professional services and online platforms that connect homeowners with experienced and reliable house sitters, making the process easier and safer.

 

Conclusion

And there we have it.

Today, we’ve taken a closer look at what it truly entails to be a professional house sitter.

Surprise, surprise.

It’s not just about living in someone else’s home.

It’s about ensuring the safety and well-being of that home, one day at a time.

With our go-to professional house sitter job description template and real-life examples, you’re ready to leap.

But why just leap when you can soar?

Explore further with our job description generator. It’s your next step to creating precision-crafted job listings or refining your resume to absolute precision.

Keep in mind:

Every house sitting assignment is a part of a broader journey.

Let’s embark on that journey. Together.