Hiring a housesitter is one of the smartest decisions you can make when it comes to keeping your home secured when you’re not there. Whether you plan on taking a short weekend vacation or an extended trip, having someone mind your home while you’re away can provide peace of mind knowing your place is safeguarded.

However, finding the right housesitter can be a challenging task. Fortunately, though, there are several factors you can consider to ensure you hire the right person for the job. To ensure a smooth hiring process, here are six things to consider when looking for a housesitter.

1. Reliability and Trustworthiness

Hiring a stranger to keep watch over your home can be scary, which is why it’s important to work with a reliable person you can trust. A great way to find a dependable housesitter is by asking for recommendations from friends, family, or neighbors. You can also find a responsible housesitter through reputable housesitting agencies such as TrustedHouseSitters or MindMyHouse.

Housesitting agencies typically do background checks on their housesitters. That way you can have peace of mind knowing the person you hire has already been pre-screened. When searching for a housesitter, be sure to check their reviews to ensure that they have a track record of trust and dependability. A trustworthy housesitter should not only safeguard your home but also adhere to any rules or instructions you provide as well.

2. Experience and Skills

When searching for a housesitter, it’s important to look for someone with relevant experience and skills. A person with prior housesitting experience is more likely to know how to handle unexpected situations more effectively.

To find the right person for your home, be sure to inquire about any specific skills that may be relevant to your living space. This can include caring for pets, gardening, or handling basic household maintenance tasks. Doing so can ensure you find the right person who can understand and tackle your home needs.

3. Communication Skills

Effective communication isn’t just a necessary soft skill for the workplace; it’s also the key to a successful housesitting arrangement. For this reason, you should make finding someone who communicates openly and promptly a priority. Before you finalize an arrangement, have an in-depth talk with your housesitter about your expectations, including how to handle certain needs your home may have and how frequently you would like to receive updates when you’re away.

4. Insurance and Liability

Before you commit to a housesitter, be sure to have a conversation about insurance and liability circumstances. Be upfront in your discussion about responsibilities and liabilities should any accidents or damages occur. Additionally, make sure the person you hire is already insured to prevent future hassle down the line.

To ensure your bases are fully covered, review your homeowner’s insurance to confirm that it covers housesitting arrangements. That way, you’re protected in the event that they accidentally damage your property. Being clear about insurance and liability can help you avoid running into misunderstandings. And if anything does happen, you can quickly and easily resolve the matter with the proper insurance coverage in place.

5. Compatibility

Hiring a housesitter is kind of like hiring a temporary roommate, so it’s really important that you actually like the person you let into your home. If you have specific preferences, sit down and talk with your housesitter about them to ensure they feel comfortable with your expectations. You can go over everything from daily routines to pet care, and any other house rules you have so that you both are on the same page. A compatible housesitter not only fosters a positive environment within your home but a stress-free experience for you as well.

6. Emergency Preparedness

While unlikely, emergencies do happen. And when they do, it’s critical that your housesitter is prepared. Before you hire someone, ask if they have a plan in case of emergencies. This includes knowing the location of emergency exits, contact information for local services, and a clear understanding of how to handle potential issues. A responsible housesitter will have a contingency plan in place so you have an added layer of security.