Your Responsibilities
Much of house sitting and swapping is based on a good reputation and solid references. You do not want to be known as that person who left behind cigarette burns in a couch cushion. Throwing bashes may also be frowned upon.
But to ensure you get good references for sitting, you need to be on your toes at all times. If someone tells you to keep the house clean, go the extra mile and clean until the whole home is sparkling.
Typically, you’ll be asked to do the following duties:
-Taking care of any pets. Do not volunteer to do so if you are not experienced with pet care, most people treat their pets like their children.
-Watering plants and taking care of yard work.
-Bringing in the mail or newspaper.
-Keeping the area clean and tidy.
-Taking out the of trash, and recycling (if possible).
-General inspection of the house to make sure there are no problems or damage occurring.
For swapping, the general rule is to treat the home like you want the other person to treat your home. Any responsibilities, like pets, can be discussed beforehand.