A clear, personal process from your first enquiry to the day you return home.
Successful house sitting begins long before the keys are handed over. We take time to understand the home, the animals, the routine and the expectations on both sides before confirming an assignment.
That preparation allows the actual sit to feel calm, organised and predictable.
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Who our service is designed for
We are best suited to homeowners who want a dependable live-in presence rather than occasional visits.
- Travel lasting several weeks or months
- Pets that are more settled in their own home
- Several animals or routines running at different times
- Horses, country properties or more involved daily responsibilities
- Homes requiring discretion and careful day-to-day oversight
- Owners who want clear updates without having to chase
- Assignments where expectations can be agreed properly in advance
Shorter assignments can also be considered where the dates, travel and responsibilities align. We do not provide local drop-in pet visits.
The five-step process
1. 📩 Tell us about the assignment
Start with the practical essentials:
- Approximate start and end dates
- Country and general region
- Home or property type
- Animals and their normal routines
- Any horses, medication or specialist considerations
- Main household responsibilities
- Whether the arrangement is expected to be exchange or paid
A full address and security information are not required at this stage.
2. 📞 We confirm initial fit
We review the dates, travel practicalities and level of responsibility. Where the assignment appears suitable, we arrange a video call or conversation.
The purpose is not merely to interview one another. It is to establish whether communication feels comfortable and whether the assignment is realistic for everyone involved.
3. ✅ We agree the details
Before confirming, we clarify:
- Daily animal routines and timings
- Medication instructions and veterinary guidance where relevant
- Home-care responsibilities and boundaries
- Emergency contacts and authorised local support
- Travel, arrival and departure arrangements
- Communication frequency and preferred channels
- Financial or exchange arrangements
- Handover requirements
Important information should be provided in writing so it can be followed consistently throughout the assignment.
4. 🏡 We provide live-in care
During the assignment, we maintain the agreed routines, care for the home and communicate in the rhythm chosen beforehand.
- Animals receive familiar, consistent care
- The home remains occupied and orderly
- Updates arrive without the homeowner needing to chase
- Changes are documented and communicated clearly
- Urgent concerns are escalated according to the agreed plan
5. 🔑 We complete an orderly handover
Before departure, we restore the agreed household areas, prepare any useful notes and confirm anything the homeowner should know.
The aim is a calm return: a comfortable home, settled animals and no avoidable surprises.
Exchange and paid arrangements
The right structure depends on the real demands of the assignment—not simply the destination or number of days.
🤝 Selected exchange arrangements
An exchange may be appropriate where:
- The dates and location align with our plans
- The home and animal routines are reasonably straightforward
- The time commitment is balanced
- Accommodation and agreed normal household arrangements form a fair exchange
- Travel is practical for everyone involved
Exchange assignments are considered selectively.
💼 Professional paid assignments
A paid arrangement is normally the better fit where there is substantial time, responsibility, complexity or exclusivity.
- Horses, stables or significant yard work
- Several animals with strict schedules
- Senior animals or owner-directed medication routines
- Larger multi-species households
- Substantial property oversight
- Detailed logs or frequent reporting
- Travel, visa or scheduling constraints
- A long assignment requiring dedicated availability
Fees, travel costs and practical arrangements are discussed privately once the scope is understood. There is no need to label your enquiry perfectly—describe what you need and we will advise which structure is appropriate.
Travel and household arrangements
International assignments can involve more than the care routine itself. Before confirming, we may need to discuss:
- Travel dates and flexibility
- Flights, local transport and collection arrangements
- Visa or entry requirements
- Arrival time needed for a proper handover
- Accommodation before or after the assignment where necessary
- Normal household running costs and agreed expenses
- Food, vehicle use or local transport where relevant
Nothing should be assumed. Clear agreement before travel prevents misunderstandings later.
Communication while you are away
Different homeowners want different levels of contact.
- Brief daily messages during the first few days
- Photographs or short videos several times a week
- A weekly summary during a long assignment
- Contact only when something requires attention
We agree a realistic communication rhythm beforehand and follow it. Urgent concerns are communicated promptly regardless of the ordinary schedule.
Animal health, medication and emergencies
We pay attention to changes in appetite, energy, mobility, behaviour and routine. We do not diagnose animals or replace veterinary professionals.
Where medication or additional monitoring is required:
- Instructions should be written clearly
- The animal should already be accustomed to the routine where possible
- Medication must be supplied and labelled
- Veterinary and emergency contacts must be available
- Authority and spending limits should be agreed in advance
- Any limitations in our role should be understood before confirmation
If something unexpected occurs, we follow the agreed emergency process, contact the appropriate people and keep communication calm and factual.
Who will be on the assignment?
International House Sitters is a family team, but not every assignment needs the same team structure.
Lindsey, Rob and Archie each bring practical house- and animal-care experience. Archie is an experienced sitter in his own right and now undertakes paid assignments independently as well as working with Lindsey and Rob where a three-person team is appropriate.
The people attending the assignment will always be agreed clearly before confirmation. There should be no uncertainty about who will be living in the home.
Privacy and discretion
We do not publish private addresses, access information or real-time locations. Sensitive household details are requested only when needed and shared through an appropriate private channel.
References are handled with similar care. Contact details are normally shared only after an assignment has been genuinely shortlisted and the previous homeowner is comfortable.
Common questions
Do you only accept long assignments?
No. Longer stays are a particularly good fit for our working style, but shorter assignments may be considered when the timing, travel and responsibilities align.
Do you provide local drop-in pet visits?
No. Our service is based on live-in house and animal care.
Can you care for horses or several animals?
Yes, where the routines match our experience and the time required is reflected properly in the arrangement. The precise responsibilities are confirmed before acceptance.
Can we speak to a previous homeowner?
Where appropriate, contactable references can be arranged after a genuine shortlist, with privacy respected on both sides.
How far in advance should we enquire?
As early as practical, especially for long assignments, international travel or fixed dates. Late enquiries may still be considered where availability and travel allow.
What happens if our dates change?
Tell us as soon as possible. We will confirm whether the revised dates remain possible and discuss any travel or cost implications before agreeing the change.
Begin with the essentials
Send your approximate dates, region, animals and main responsibilities. We will review the assignment and explain the next appropriate step.
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Please keep full addresses, alarm information and other sensitive access details out of the initial message.