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GuideAn empty home is more vulnerable than people realize — to break-ins, undetected leaks, a failed furnace in winter, or just the subtle "nobody's home" signals that pile up. Home and house sitting keeps your place looked-after while you travel, catching small problems before they become disasters. Here's what it involves and how to arrange it.
Homes left unattended face real risks: a burst pipe or slow leak that goes undiscovered for a week, a heating failure in winter, mail and flyers piling up to signal an empty house, or a small issue that becomes a big one with no one to catch it. Regular checks turn a week-long disaster into a same-day fix.
Depending on the arrangement, a home check visit covers the essentials — confirming everything's secure and functioning, bringing in mail and packages, adjusting lights or blinds to keep the home looking lived-in, checking for leaks or issues, and watering plants. Overnight house sitting adds a consistent presence, which is the strongest deterrent and reassurance.
Choose based on how long you're away and your risk tolerance. Periodic drop-in checks suit shorter trips and lower-risk homes — enough to catch problems and keep up appearances. Overnight house sitting suits longer absences, higher-value homes, or when you simply want the certainty of someone there. Many travellers combine: overnight for part, checks for the rest.
You're giving someone access to your home and belongings while you're far away, so vetting is paramount: identity verification, background checks and reviews. On Genie, home and house sitters are background-checked and reviewed, you see their profile before booking, and the arrangement is handled with the seriousness that trusting someone with your empty home deserves.
Leave clear instructions: what to check, how to reach you, emergency and alternate contacts, where the shut-off valves and breaker are, alarm codes, plant and any pet needs, and what "normal" looks like. The more context your sitter has, the better they can catch and handle anything that comes up.
On Genie, home and house sitting — from periodic check visits to overnight stays — connects you with vetted, background-checked sitters you can book for the exact dates you're away, with clear pricing and payment held until the service is done. Travel knowing your home is watched.
Every task in this guide is something you can book on Genie — vetted, insured pros at an upfront price:
Depending on the arrangement: confirms the home is secure and functioning, brings in mail, keeps the home looking lived-in, checks for leaks or issues, and waters plants. Overnight sitting adds a consistent presence and deterrent.
Drop-in checks suit shorter trips and lower-risk homes; overnight sitting suits longer absences or higher-value homes. Many travellers combine both across a trip.
Insist on identity verification, background checks and reviews. On Genie, sitters are background-checked and reviewed, and you see their profile before booking for your exact dates.
