Homesitters Ltd

Homesitters Ltd: live-in home and pet sitting across Britain

Homesitters Ltd is a family-run business that describes itself as Britain's leading home and pet-sitting company. Founded in September 1980, it provides a live-in service in which its employees stay in the client's home while the owner is away, looking after pets, the garden and security. The company presents this arrangement as reassurance for property owners and their insurers.

The service operates through an extensive network of homesitters across England, Wales and Scotland. According to the company, all homesitters are meticulously vetted, DBS checked and fully insured, and clients receive 24/7 back-up throughout the stay.

How the sitting service works

The model is based on live-in cover rather than periodic visits: a homesitter stays in the property for the duration of the owner's absence. The company states that this keeps the home secure and well-maintained and gives pets companionship in familiar surroundings. Homesitters Ltd emphasises that it is not an agency, because its homesitters are its own employees.

The service is presented as personal, flexible and fully customisable. The company also highlights that calls to its back-up line are answered by a dedicated person rather than an automated hotline, and that data is encrypted and stored on a secure server.

Home sitting assignments

The company's home-sitting offer is divided into three named categories:

• Domestic sits for ordinary residential properties while the owner is away.
• Probate sits for homes in the probate process.
• Commercial sits for commercial properties.

Beyond holidays and business trips, the company states that it also cares for homes in other circumstances, including probate and commercial property. The site notes that clients do not only call on the service for holidays or business travel.

Dog and cat sitting

Pet care is organised by animal type, with separate sections for dog sitting and cat sitting. For each, the company explains how it chooses its sitters and how those sitters operate. The published material also refers to a team with pet experience and to the pets of the month feature in its blog.

Vetting, insurance and back-up

Homesitters Ltd states that its homesitters are vetted, DBS checked and fully insured. It also advertises 24/7/365 back-up, with calls answered by a dedicated person. The company says it is endorsed by insurers and that its service provides peace of mind for property owners and their insurers. It also describes its operation as secure and confidential.

Awards and client feedback

The company describes itself as multi-award winning and announces a latest award on its site. It publishes a large collection of client reviews, including accounts from clients who have used the service for many years and from others who have had the same sitter return for continuity of care. The reviews refer to homes, dogs, cats and other pets such as chickens. One reviewer describes the service as quite expensive while valuing the peace of mind it provides.

Working as a homesitter

The site includes a dedicated section for people interested in becoming a homesitter. It sets out the responsibilities of the role, a homesitter profile, the selection process, homesitter reviews and case studies, and an application form. The company also publishes blog content on turning a passion into a home and pet sitting role.

Head office and company details

Homesitters Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 1516037. Its head office can be reached on 01296 630 730.