The Ultimate Guide to Leaving a House Sit

Leaving a house sit is always bittersweet. To be honest, it can be a really tough day—no matter how great the sit has been. Emotionally, it’s overwhelming to juggle housework, travel plans, and the difficult goodbyes to furry friends you’ve come to love—all within a whirlwind 24-hour period.

As experienced as we are, Nigel and I still find this day difficult. We both grow so attached to the animals in our care, which makes the exit day even harder. Alongside the emotional toll, there’s the house to clean and often a full day of travel ahead. In fact, as I sit to write this post, my mind is a whirlwind with everything I feel I need to include. It’s a big day—and there’s so much to unpack.

That’s why this guide is here—to help you navigate the chaos and emotions of departure day. From preparing the house to making goodbyes as smooth as possible, I’ll walk you through the steps to leave every sit on a positive note.

Let’s make a tough day a little easier.

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Timing Is Everything

First things first—timing is everything when it comes to leaving a house sit smoothly. Nigel is our logistics man in “our team” and his post, Travel To and From a House Sit, highlights just how crucial it is to plan your travel carefully.

Whether you’re catching an early train, heading to the airport, or making your way to a new sit, careful planning is essential to ensure you leave enough time for a proper exit, logistics, and travel without undue stress or potential disaster.

Rushing through the exit process can create avoidable tension and risk leaving things undone, which isn’t fair to the homeowners or the pets. Always allow ample time to clean the house, finalise any loose ends, and say meaningful goodbyes to the furry friends in your care.

If you’re leaving before the homeowners return, build in buffer time to ensure the pets aren’t left alone for too long. By planning ahead, you can sidestep the strain of last-minute chaos and leave the home in excellent condition while starting your next journey with ease.

Read Next – How to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Traveling to and From a House Sit!

Departing Early

If you’ve got an early departure, aim to handle most of the prep the evening before leaving a house sit. As a natural early bird, starting my day at 5am feels completely normal to me. However, I know I’m in the minority—apparently, us larks only make up 5% of the population!

For most people, rushing around at the crack of dawn is a nightmare—Nigel included. That’s why preparing ahead of time is so important. By getting a head start the night before, you can focus on the essentials in the morning without feeling frazzled.

Pack your bags, clean the house, and set out everything you’ll need for your departure. This way, you can leave calmly and ensure nothing is overlooked.

Don’t forget to allow ample time to get to the airport or train station. If you need a taxi, book it in advance to avoid any last-minute stress. If public transport is your mode of travel, double-check the bus or train schedules and build in flexibility for missed connections or delays.

And always keep an eye on the weather! Foul weather can play havoc with travel plans – especially if walking is planned. No one wants to trudge through a downpour with a suitcase in tow. If rain or bad weather is on the horizon, make sure you have a Plan B.

Pets Feel It Too

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that animals have an uncanny ability to sense when you’re about to leave – especially as soon as the suitcases come out. They often follow you around more, give you those big, soulful eyes, or even act a little out of sorts. It’s completely normal, but it doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.

On your last day, take the time to shower them with extra love. Whether it’s an extra-long belly rub, a play session with their favourite toy, or a few extra treats, those little gestures can help ease their anxiety. If the homeowners aren’t back yet, make sure the pets are settled before you leave—maybe with a comfy spot to nap or something to distract them, like a Kong stuffed with peanut butter.

And let’s not forget you—you’re saying goodbye too. It’s okay to feel a pang of sadness when you leave behind a pet you’ve bonded with. I’ve literally walked out of the door with tears in my eyes in some sits. It’s a bittersweet part of house sitting, but it’s also a reminder of the impact you’ve made.

Preparing the Home

Leaving a house spotless isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about showing respect and gratitude.

As we tend to only take on house sits which are more than 2 weeks, I always give the rooms we have used a “deep clean”. To keep everything running smoothly, I create a checklist and allocate tasks between Nigel and myself. Without it, Nigel tends to float around looking for things to do, and everything turns to custard.

Gold Tip – Decide on any rooms you will not use at the start of your stay. This makes cleaning up at the end of your sit much easier. For example, the house may have 2 showers – just use one.
Similarly, if there are multiple living spaces, pick one or two and leave the others untouched. This way, you’ll have less to clean before you leave!

Laundry

The day before, I look for items that can be washed prior to the exit day. This often includes pet bedding, covers where the pets sleep or lounge, and towels used to dry off wet fur.

If the weather permits (as long as it’s not raining), I also hang the duvet (doona) out to air—especially if I’ve been using the homeowner’s bedroom. This ensures everything is fresh and welcoming for their return.

Since the washing machine is likely going to be in full swing on the morning of departure, it’s a good idea to spread out the laundry over the days leading up to your exit. Ensure your personal items are washed, dried, and ready to pack without adding unnecessary stress on the last day.

If we are leaving very early in the morning, we might shower the night before, and place towels, washers and bathmats in the washer and dryer that night. As for the bedding, 99% of the time, I make sure the sheets are washed, placing them in the washer the moment I step out of bed. Even if you’re leaving early, plan enough time for the washing machine cycle to finish so you can get the sheets into the dryer before heading out.

The final items to go into the washing machine are cleaning cloths, kitchen towels, and any hand towels from the bathrooms. Never leave dirty cloths and towels for the home owners to deal with.

Cleaning the House Efficiently

Every house is different – however, they all have a kitchen, living area, bathrooms and bedrooms. Some have an upstairs and some have outside areas to consider.

Although cleaning the kitchen is your final stop, make a start by stacking the dishwasher and setting it to go while you tackle the other areas in the house.

Firstly, I get going on the bathrooms – remember to replace towels (at least hand towels). Ensure toilets, bathroom mirrors, hand basins and showers/baths are cleaned properly. If there is a shower squeegee make sure you use it during your stay. It will make cleaning the shower glass so much easier!

We normally prioritise bedrooms or upstairs (if there is one) first. Bringing your luggage to a common area near the front door allows you to completely clean the bedrooms, getting them to the same state as your arrival.

Make sure everything is returned to its original place. We often shift items, especially if using the dining table as a shared workspace. To avoid any guesswork, take photos of the original setup before rearranging anything—this way, everything goes back exactly where it belongs.

Pro Tip – Before rearranging anything, take photos of the original setup. This helps you return furniture, decorations, or other items to their original places, making the home look exactly as it did upon your arrival.

The kitchen is always the last to be cleaned, and it’s the area that requires the most attention. Regardless of how the homeowner left it for you, ensure the outside of the refrigerator, cabinets, and appliances are wiped down—don’t forget the handles! It’s surprisingly easy to leave fingerprints or smudges, especially after rummaging through multiple drawers in search of the right utensil—a common occurrence when adjusting to new kitchens!

If the kitchen features marble countertops, a glass cooktop, or stainless steel appliances, take extra care to use appropriate cleaning products. Using the wrong ones could cause damage, so it’s always worth checking labels or homeowner instructions beforehand.

Do a fridge check. Do you need to replace anything? Do you need to toss any perishables you brought? Often, homeowners leave perishables like milk, eggs, or fruit for us when they depart. In return, I like to leave behind any fresh items that I think they might enjoy—fruit, vegetables, eggs or dairy products. It’s all about give and take.

And last of all is the garbage – make sure ALL garbage and recyclables are taken out and bin liners replaced.

Finally, do a walkthrough of the house to make sure you haven’t left anything behind—especially in drawers or the bathroom!

Thoughtful Welcome Home Touches

One of my favourite things to do at the end of a house sit is to leave a little welcome-home surprise. It doesn’t have to be anything big—just a thoughtful gesture that shows you cared.

Often the people we sit for have travelled interstate or overseas and arrive home after a long flight. If they arrive home after a late arrival, I will always ensure they have fresh milk for tea and coffee and even go as far as bake some nice breakfast muffins to have when they wake. Don’t forget their supplies will be low or non-existent and this gesture is really appreciated!

As well, arriving home last in the evening is also problematic, especially if they live in the country and far from any grocery stores. Leaving a nice warm hearty soup with bread is not only nourishing and easy on the stomach – but a chance for you to use up some of your leftovers!

These little touches not only make the homeowner’s return sweeter but also show your appreciation for the opportunity.

Wellness Tips for You

Let’s be honest—leaving a house sit can take an emotional toll on you too. Between the busyness of cleaning, packing, and saying goodbye to furry friends you’ve grown to love, it’s easy to forget about your own well-being. That’s why it’s so important to take a moment to care for yourself during this transition.

Reflect:

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts about the sit. What were the highlights? What did you learn? Was there a funny or heartwarming moment with the pets that made you smile? Writing these reflections down can help you process your experience and create a sense of closure. It’s also a lovely way to look back on your journey and remember the meaningful connections you made.

Read Next – 25 powerful ways caring for pets boosts your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Stay Connected:

If it feels right, let the homeowners know you’d love updates about the pets. I’ve had homeowners send me photos and little stories about their animals months after the sit ended, and it always brightens my day. In fact, Nigel and I have become genuine friends with several of the homeowners we’ve sat for and continue to meet up with them regularly.

Building these connections can be one of the most rewarding aspects of house sitting, turning a professional arrangement into lasting friendships.

Look Ahead:

Shift your focus to what’s next on the horizon. Whether it’s another house sit, a new adventure, or, in our case, an exciting hike, having something to look forward to can ease the sadness of leaving. Planning your next step gives you something positive to focus on and helps you transition smoothly into your next chapter.

Taking care of yourself when leaving a house sit isn’t just about moving on—it’s about celebrating the experience, cherishing the connections, and staying excited about what’s to come.

What If You’re Leaving Early?

Sometimes, circumstances mean you won’t be able to hand over the house in person. Maybe the homeowners are delayed, or you have an early flight to catch. Whatever the reason, clear and thorougher communication becomes even more important to ensure a smooth transition.

Leave a Detailed Note:

Make sure to write a clear and friendly note for the homeowners, covering all the essentials they’ll need when they return. Include an update on the pets’ routines—what they’ve been up to, how they’ve been behaving, and any quirks you noticed. Highlight anything notable, like changes in behaviour or dietary habits, to keep them in the loop.

While updates on pets are typically part of your daily communication, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to be out of contact near the end of their trip. This is often due to long international flights and limited reception.

Additionally, pets can sometimes behave a little differently in the final days before their owners return, sensing the upcoming change. Including these details in your note helps reassure the homeowners and ensures they’re well-informed about their pets’ well-being.

Mention Key Locations:

Be sure to let them know where to find important items, such as keys, remotes, or anything you’ve moved during your stay. This eliminates unnecessary confusion and helps them settle back into their home without frustration.

Address Any Issues:

If anything came up during your sit—perhaps an appliance stopped working or you had to fix a minor problem—let the homeowners know what happened and how you handled it. Transparency here goes a long way in maintaining trust and ensuring there are no surprises upon their return.

Take Photos:

It’s always a good idea to take a few photos of the home before you leave. This documents its condition and provides peace of mind for both you and the homeowners. Photos can also be helpful in case of any misunderstandings or questions later on.

Double-Check Security:

Before you leave, do a final walkthrough of the home to make sure everything is locked up and secure. Check all windows, doors, and any security systems to ensure the house is safe and ready for the homeowners’ return.

Even if you’re not there to personally greet them, these steps ensure you leave a strong, lasting impression. Clear communication and attention to detail show respect for their home and pets and demonstrate your professionalism as a house sitter.

Ending Your House Sit on a Positive Note

Exiting a house sit isn’t just about cleaning up and saying goodbye—it’s about leaving a lasting impression. By being thoughtful, thorough, and considerate, you’re not only making the homeowners’ return as smooth as possible but also setting the stage for glowing reviews and future opportunities.

So take a deep breath, give those furry friends one last cuddle, and walk away knowing you’ve done an amazing job. Here’s to many more successful house sits ahead!