Finding House Sits On Facebook

It might come as surprise to some people, but Facebook groups have become very popular avenues for connecting New Zealand homeowners with house sitters. Whether you’re a sitter on the lookout for house sitting jobs in NZ or whether you’re a property owner needing someone to care for your home and pets while you’re away, Facebook groups can provide a convenient and accessible way to find who and what you’re looking for. It’s quite an eye-opener as to just how many sits can be secured this way, as I can personally testify as a full-time house sitter. However, like any online service, there are both advantages and drawbacks to using these groups.

The Positives

Wide Reach And Community Engagement: Facebook groups bring together literally thousands of homeowners and house sitters from around NZ. This makes it super easy to find local opportunities and connect with like-minded individuals who can share recommendations and experiences.

Zero Cost: All Facebook house sitting groups are completely free to join, unlike the commercial house sitting websites like Kiwi House Sitters, The House Sitting Company, and NZ House Sitters, whose fees seem to be creeping up each year. This can make the Facebook groups an awesome free alternative for homeowners and sitters, and these groups are quickly becoming the first choice for both parties before they fork out to try the paid websites.

Real-Time Communication: The ability to send messages and receive instant responses means you can quickly arrange house sitting jobs without long wait times.

User Reviews And Recommendations: Many groups allow members to share reviews and feedback about their experiences, sometimes through chat rooms. This helps to build trust and accountability among New Zealand house sitters and homeowners.

Accountability And Warnings: Homeowners and house sitters in NZ can warn others about unreliable or dishonest individuals, helping to create a safer community by sharing past experiences and red flags.

The Negatives

Lack Of Screening And Verification: Unlike some dedicated house sitting websites, Facebook does not provide identity verification or background checks. This means that there’s a higher risk of unreliable house sitters or fraudulent listings. So it’s imperative that homeowners do their homework on who they are considering to let into their homes while they’re absent. These screening measures also apply to house sitters – they should have confidence that the homeowners they intend to house sit for are trustworthy and tidy people who live in clean and respectable homes, rather than dirty hovels. Yes, I have stayed in a few of those.

Competitive Market: The more popular groups attract a large number of applicants for sits, and this can make it more challenging for new or inexperienced house sitters to secure jobs, especially if they lack references or sought-after skills, such as experience with livestock, horses, plumbing, or a veterinarian background.

Scams And Unverified Listings: Some scammers post fake house sitting jobs in NZ to collect personal details or money from unsuspecting users. Always verify the legitimacy of a listing before committing to anything. By the same token, house sitter scammers can use these groups to case out good properties to pillage. Sad but true.

Limited Support: Unlike platforms such as Kiwi House Sitters or The House Sitting Company, Facebook offers next to no customer support or dispute resolution in case of issues between homeowners and sitters. You’re essentially on your own and homeowners are relying on their own mettle to screen their house sitters. In saying that, the commercial websites are not a lot better to be perfectly honest. Despite their so-called ‘security measures’ and ‘customer support’, and despite the claims of one ‘company’ in particular about personally vetting their sitters, it wouldn’t require much effort on the part of an unscrupulous sitter to get past these mediocre barriers and wreak havoc in somebody’s home.

Best Practices

Create A Detailed Post: If you’re a homeowner, include important details such as location, dates, responsibilities, and any pet care needs. Sitters should highlight their experience, references, and availability. And both parties should also include photos and/or videos in their posts, including media of themselves. It’s always good to be able to put a face to a name.

Verify Profiles And Connections: Check for mutual friends, previous group posts, or group recommendations before finalising any arrangements. If you want to check out someone’s profile but they have it locked, then submit a friend request so you can read through their profile and posts to help get a gauge on the sort of person they are.

Request References: Homeowners should always ask sitters for past references, and a police check if necessary, while sitters can request from homeowners feedback from any previous sitters who may have stayed at their property.

Arrange A ‘Meet & Greet’: This can occur via a video call (aka Zoom) or if the parties are within reasonable driving distance of one another, then a personal visit would be a better option. A meeting of some sort before any sit is confirmed helps both homeowner and house sitter feel more comfortable before organising any agreement.

Legal And Insurance Considerations

Written Agreements: Even informal arrangements benefit from a written agreement outlining responsibilities, expectations, and emergency contacts. This document should clearly state who is responsible for utilities, pet care, garden maintenance, and any security measures. Both parties should also include a clause regarding what happens in case of an emergency or unexpected event, such as a change in travel plans.

Home And Contents Insurance: Homeowners should check to see if their insurance covers house sitters, as some policies may only apply to named occupants. Even if it does cover sitters, it’s still advisable that owners inform their insurance provider to let them know that a sitter will be living on the premises during the owner’s absence, just to ensure that coverage does indeed remain valid. If the policy does not extend to a house sitter, homeowners may need to add a temporary extension. Sitters should also clarify whether or not they have liability insurance of their own, in case of accidents or damage to household items (see below: Liability Insurance).

Liability Insurance: The more astute and professionally-minded sitters will have their own personal liability insurance to cover potential damages or issues that may arise while staying in a home. This type of insurance can protect sitters if they accidentally cause damage to the property or if a pet in their care becomes injured under their supervision. Homeowners may also want to require sitters to submit documental proof that they do indeed have the necessary liability coverage before any assignment commences. A sitter may say they have liability cover, but how does a owner know whether they are telling the truth or fibbing? Thus, it’s important to see the documents.

Pet Sitting vs. House Sitting

Many, if not most, house sitting jobs include pet care, so sitters should be clear about their experience with animals. Sitters should specify their comfort level with different types of pets, including cats, birds, fish, reptiles, livestock, and dogs (e.g. some may prefer working with smaller dogs that are easier to handle). If they have prior experience administering medication, handling behavioural issues, or managing multiple pets, they should highlight these skills in their applications.

Homeowners should outline pet routines, dietary needs, and provide veterinary contacts. Supplying detailed instructions ensures that the pets receive consistent care. This includes feeding schedules, exercise routines, addressing behavioural quirks, and handling emergency procedures. Homeowners should also leave behind essential supplies such as food, leads, and medications in an easily accessible location.

It’s helpful for sitters to have references specifically for pet care, especially if the homeowner has multiple pets with special requirements. A proven track record of responsible pet care can give homeowners peace of mind. Owners should request written and/or phone references or online reviews from sitters that mention their reliability, attentiveness, and ability to handle pets with specific needs, such as elderly or anxious animals.

Red Flags To Watch For

Requests For Payment: House sitting is 90% of the time a simple exchange of services. Thus, beware of people asking for upfront payments. Some scams involve fake homeowners requesting deposits for ‘keys’ or ‘security fees’. And homeowners should be wary of sitters who expect financial compensation when none was previously agreed upon or who attempt to add extra costs once the arrangement is made. And if a homeowner is hiring a paid sitter, no payment should be made until after the assignment is complete and the owner is happy with things upon their return.

Vague Or Inconsistent Information: If a listing lacks detail or the homeowner is unwilling to answer questions, proceed with caution. A legitimate homeowner should be open about their expectations, property details, and any concerns a sitter might have. Likewise, homeowners should watch for sitters who give unclear answers about their experience, references, or travel plans, as this could indicate unreliability… or worse.

No References Or Reviews: If a sitter or homeowner has no previous references or recommendations, ask for additional verification before committing. New sitters may not have house sitting references yet, but they should be able to provide alternative credentials such as references from their employer or landlord. Homeowners should also be willing to provide details about any of their previous house sitters who can vouch for the owners’ characters and properties.

Popular House Sitting Groups

If you’re interested in finding house sitting jobs or need reliable house sitters in New Zealand, below are some of the better Facebook groups worth joining. A couple of these cover all of NZ while others are regional.

House/Pet Sitting New Zealand (29,000+ members)

House Sitting New Zealand (37,000+ members)

Whangarei House Sitting (1,400+ members)

House Sitting Auckland (4,000+ members)

Wellington House Sitters & Sits (10,000+ members)

Pet/House Sitting Canterbury, NZ (6,000+ members)

To find more, a quick search on Facebook will bring up further options.

Final Words

Facebook can be a useful tool for finding house sitting opportunities, but it’s essential to approach it with caution. While it offers a free and fast way to connect homeowners with house sitters in NZ, the lack of formal verification means both parties should conduct their own due diligence. If you prefer a more structured approach, websites like Kiwi House Sitters or The House Sitting Company offer somewhat better (if not foolproof) security and more resources. Whichever method you choose, however, house sitting is a rewarding experience that benefits both sitters and homeowners alike. And I can highly recommend it!