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Housesitting Information Sheet

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HOUSESITTING INFORMATION SHEET

Recitals

WHEREAS, Homeowner Name: is the owner or lawful occupant of the property described below; and

WHEREAS, Housesitter Name: has agreed to provide temporary housesitting services under the terms set forth in this document; and

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties record the following instructions, responsibilities, and terms.

Owner Contact Information

Housesitter Contact Information

Property Access & Security

Keys provided (location or custodian):

Alarm system provider / instructions:

Scope of Work

The housesitter shall perform the following duties. The parties acknowledge these tasks are the minimum required; additional tasks must be agreed in writing.

Pets, Plants & Special Care

Mail, Deliveries & Utilities

Emergency Contacts

Payment Terms

Compensation Amount: $    Payment Schedule:

Late fee for overdue payment (if any):

Payment method (select all that apply):

Term and Termination

Term Start Date:    Term End Date:

Either party may terminate by providing written notice to the other party at least days prior to the intended termination date, except that the homeowner may terminate immediately for material breach, damage to property, or endangerment of occupants or animals.

Confidentiality

The housesitter acknowledges that access to the property may reveal sensitive personal information. The housesitter shall not disclose, reproduce, or use any confidential information discovered during the term of engagement for any purpose other than performance of assigned duties. Confidential information does not include information that is or becomes publicly available through no breach by the housesitter.

Acknowledgement of confidentiality requirement:

Insurance, Liability & Indemnity

The housesitter shall exercise reasonable care while on the property. The homeowner should maintain homeowner's insurance; the housesitter is responsible for notifying the homeowner promptly of any injury, loss, theft, or property damage. The housesitter shall indemnify and hold harmless the homeowner for losses resulting from the housesitter's willful misconduct or gross negligence. Nothing in this sheet shall be construed to waive any party's statutory rights.

Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to conflicts of law principles.

Entire Agreement

This Housesitting Information Sheet, together with any written attachments signed by both parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to housesitting services and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, oral or written, relating to the same subject matter. Any modification must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Acknowledgment

By signing below, the parties confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by the instructions and terms set out in this Housesitting Information Sheet.

Homeowner (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Housesitter (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Housesitting Information Sheet Is and when it’s used

A Housesitting Information Sheet is a concise, written record that consolidates essential details a homeowner provides to a housesitter before an absence. It typically covers property access, security systems, emergency contacts, pet care, utilities, garbage/recycling schedules, and neighborhood rules. The sheet helps reduce misunderstandings, guides the sitter during routine and emergency situations, and creates a traceable record of instructions that both parties can reference before, during, and after the assignment. Use of a standardized sheet reduces follow-up calls and helps with liability, insurance, and neighbor coordination.

Why a clear information sheet matters

Providing a single, complete Housesitting Information Sheet minimizes mistakes, documents expectations, and creates a shared point of reference for access, care, and emergency response. It clarifies responsibilities and supports quicker resolution if an incident occurs.

Why a clear information sheet matters

Typical users and where this form fits

Homeowners, property managers, and professional housesitters commonly use this sheet to standardize handoffs and reduce operational friction.

  • Homeowners and tenants providing access and care instructions while away.
  • Professional housesitters and caretakers tracking duties and reporting issues.
  • Property managers or short-term rental hosts coordinating routine checks.

The sheet is useful for short trips, extended absences, property showings, and handoffs between multiple caretakers.

Core sections to include on a professional Housesitting Information Sheet

A useful sheet groups data for quick scanning: identity and contact details, property access, emergency procedures, pet care, systems and utilities, and special instructions for neighbors or maintenance.

Owner Info

Full legal name, primary and secondary phone numbers, and out-of-area contact; include local emergency contact if different.

Access Details

Exact door, gate, and lockbox codes, key locations, garage operation, and any alarm disarm instructions with contact for alarm provider.

Emergency Contacts

List local emergency services, licensed contractors (plumber, electrician), trusted neighbor, and family member with phone numbers and relationship.

Pet Care

Feeding schedule, medications (dose and times), veterinarian name/phone, authorized pet sitter permission, and behavior notes.

Utilities & Systems

Location of water shutoff, breaker box, thermostat, internet router, and provider contact numbers for outages.

Special Instructions

Trash/recycling days, mail handling, plant watering specifics, noise restrictions, and any HOA or rental rules to follow.

Essential information fields to collect

Owner Name: Full legal name
Primary Phone: Mobile number
Backup Contact: Alternate phone
Property Address: Street, city, ZIP
Alarm Details: Provider and code
Key Location: Where spare is kept

Step-by-step: preparing and handing off the sheet

Follow a short, consistent sequence to create, review, and deliver the information sheet to the housesitter.

  • 01
    Create Sheet: Complete all fields and verify accuracy
  • 02
    Review In-Person: Walk through property and confirm instructions
  • 03
    Provide Copies: Leave digital and printed copies with sitter
  • 04
    Confirm Receipt: Get sitter acknowledgement and any questions answered

Digital setup checklist for completing the sheet online

When using an online form or eSignature platform, configure fields and authentication before sending to the sitter.

Field Configuration
Owner Signature Required; date auto-fill enabled
Sitter Acknowledgement Required checkbox and signature
Access Codes Field Masked text field for security
Attachment Optional: upload photo of key location or manuals

Sharing and signing options for the digital sheet

Choose delivery and authentication methods that balance ease for the sitter with appropriate security for sensitive data.

  • Email Link: Simple, low friction
  • SMS Code: Adds signer verification
  • In-Person Kiosk: Useful for handoffs

For sensitive fields (alarm codes), prefer masked fields and stronger signer authentication; maintain an audit trail of who received and signed the sheet.

Where to send the completed Housesitting Information Sheet

Decide recipients and storage locations for the finalized sheet so all stakeholders have consistent access when needed.

  • Primary Sitter: Email and mobile copy delivered before arrival
  • Local Contact: Copy for neighbor or emergency contact
  • Property Manager: Archive in management system if applicable
  • Homeowner Backup: Retain a signed copy for records

Timing and expectations for preparing and updating the sheet

Set clear timing to finalize and distribute the sheet so the sitter has time to review and ask questions.

Finalize Before Departure:

Provide sheet at least 48 hours before sitter arrival

Confirm Walkthrough:

Schedule property walkthrough within 24 hours of arrival

Update Mid-Assignment:

Send any changes immediately upon discovery

Return Acknowledgement:

Sitter confirms tasks and issues within 48 hours of assignment end

Retain Signed Copy:

Keep a copy for 3 years for dispute avoidance

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the sheet

  • Leaving access instructions vague, such as “garage code below” without exact step sequence, which causes confusion and delays.
  • Not updating emergency contacts or vet details before departure; outdated numbers increase response time and risk harm to pets.
  • Omitting alarm or utility shutoff steps; this can cause unnecessary service calls and potential property damage.
  • Failing to get sitter acknowledgment or signature; lack of documented acceptance complicates dispute resolution and insurance claims.

Liability and risks associated with incomplete or incorrect sheets

Property Damage: Potential repair costs
Pet Injury: Veterinary bills
Insurance Denial: Claim complications
Local Fines: HOA or ordinance fines
Unauthorized Access: Security breach risk
Contract Disputes: Difficulty proving instructions

Practical tips for accurate, efficient completion

Follow simple habits to reduce risk and improve clarity when preparing the sheet.

Use Clear Formats
Standardize dates (MM/DD/YYYY), phone numbers, and address blocks to avoid confusion during emergencies.
Mask Sensitive Data
When sending electronically, use masked fields for alarm codes and provide full codes only in person if preferred.
Get Written Acknowledgement
Require the sitter to sign and date the sheet to confirm understanding and acceptance of duties.
Keep Multiple Copies
Provide printed and digital signed copies to sitter, local contact, and homeowner archive for redundancy.

Real-world examples of how the sheet is used

Two short scenarios show typical uses and outcomes when the sheet is well prepared.

Private Home Sitter

A homeowner provided a complete sheet and walked the sitter through systems before leaving

  • The sitter followed an emergency water-shutoff step
  • Result: a burst pipe was contained quickly, minimizing damage and insurance complications.

Property Manager

A manager used a standardized digital sheet for short-term vacancy checks

  • The sitter returned signed acknowledgement and photos
  • Result: documentation supported a cleaning charge dispute and clarified condition at handoff.

Selected eSignature vendor comparison for signing and distributing the sheet

Comparison focuses on starting price, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA compliance, and envelope limits to inform platform selection for secure signings.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about housesitting sheets and e-signing

Answers to common questions about authority, signatures, updates, and security when using an information sheet and electronic signing.


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