A free house sitting agreement

Host

Sitter

Home address

Dates

from ________ to ________

Pets

The Host lends the Home to the Sitter for these dates, free of charge, and the Sitter looks after the Pets and the Home. This is not a rental or employment contract, and it gives the Sitter no right to stay after the end date.

1. care for the Pets as described in the Host's house notes, and take them to the vet if they need it;
2. keep the Home clean and safe;
3. tell the Host the same day about any problem, such as a Pet being ill or injured, or damage to the Home;
4. make no changes to the Home (such as painting, moving furniture or cutting trees) without the Host's permission;
5. not rent out the Home, or any part of it;
6. not share the Host's personal details, or photos of them, without their consent;
7. have their own travel and health insurance for the sit; and
8. leave the Home on the end date, or on another date agreed with the Host, clean and in the same condition as they found it.

1. hand over the Home clean and safe, with space for the Sitter's belongings, and clean bedding and towels;
2. treat the Pets for fleas, ticks and worms before the sit, and leave enough food and medicine for the whole sit and a few extra days;
3. leave house notes describing the Pets' routines and everything the Sitter needs to know about the Home;
4. tell the Sitter before the sit if anyone else might live in the Home during the sit, such as a family member or a lodger;
5. tell the Sitter about any security cameras or recording devices on the property;
6. enter the Home during the sit, or send anyone into it, only in an emergency or with the Sitter's agreement;
7. not share the Sitter's personal details, or photos of them, without their consent; and
8. stay reachable during the sit, or give the Sitter the name and phone number of someone who can make decisions for them.

1. In an emergency, the Sitter must take the Pet to a vet without waiting to reach the Host, and tell the Host as soon as possible.
2. The Host pays all vet bills, except for harm the Sitter causes to a Pet through serious carelessness. Either the vet sends the bill to the Host, or the Sitter pays it and the Host repays the Sitter within 7 days of receiving the receipt.
3. If a Pet goes missing, the Sitter must search the area, tell the Host immediately, and report it to local vets and animal shelters.

Put an X in the box of each rule that applies. The others don't apply.

1. The Sitter must not have overnight guests.
2. The Sitter may have visitors only with the Host's permission.
3. The Sitter must not hold parties or gatherings.
4. The Sitter must not smoke inside the Home.
5. The Sitter must not smoke anywhere on the property.
6. The Sitter must spend every night at the Home.
7. The Pets must not be left alone for more than ____ hours.
8. The Sitter must not copy the keys or give them to anyone else.
9. The Sitter must not waste water, electricity or heating.

Put an X in the box of each permission that applies. The others don't apply.

1. The Sitter may bring their own pet: ____________.
2. The Sitter may drive the Host's car. The Host confirms that its insurance covers the Sitter and tells them the amount of the insurance excess. If the Sitter damages the car, they pay for the damage, up to that amount. The Sitter pays for the fuel they use and any fines they get while driving it.
3. The Sitter may eat food from the Home without replacing it.
4. The Sitter may eat food from the Home and must replace what they use, except food that would spoil.
5. The Sitter may eat fruit and vegetables from the garden.
6. The Sitter may use the Host's bicycles.
7. The Sitter may post photos of the Pets online.
8. The Sitter may post photos of the Home online.

1. Neither side pays the other for the sit, and there is no deposit.
2. The Host pays for pet food, litter, medicines, vet bills and urgent repairs, and for household bills (electricity, water, gas, internet) unless both sides agree otherwise in section 10.
3. The Sitter pays for their own travel and their own food.
4. The Host repays the Sitter for any necessary purchase for the Pets or the Home within 7 days of receiving the receipt.
5. Neither side asks the other for money, before or during the sit, except to repay receipts.

1. Damage: accidents and normal wear and tear are at the Host's cost. The Sitter pays only for damage they or their visitors cause deliberately or through serious carelessness, and for damage to the car as set out in section 6.
2. An emergency in the Home (such as fire, flood, a gas leak or a break-in): the Sitter must call the emergency services first, then the Host. For urgent repairs, the Sitter may call a repair service, at the Host's cost.
3. If the Sitter falls ill or must leave: the Sitter must tell the Host immediately and stay until someone takes over the care of the Pets, unless staying is unsafe.
4. If the Home is unsafe or not as described: the Sitter must tell the Host immediately. If the problem cannot be fixed, the sit may end early, once the Pets are safely cared for.

1. Either side may cancel only for a serious reason, such as illness or a family emergency, and must tell the other side as soon as possible.
2. The dates may change only if both sides agree.
3. If the Host's return is delayed, the Host must tell the Sitter immediately and arrange care for the Pets, as the Sitter is not obliged to stay longer.
4. If the Host returns early, the Host must tell the Sitter as early as possible.
5. The Sitter must not leave before the end date unless the Host agrees and the Pets are cared for.
6. If either side seriously breaks this agreement (for example, by neglecting the Pets or putting the Home at risk), the other side may end it immediately.

The Host and the Sitter each keep a signed copy. This agreement is governed by the law of the country where the Home is. HouseSit (housesit.world) is not a party to this agreement and gives no legal advice.