House sitting is a practice in which the homeowner or renter leaves their home for a certain period, entrusting it to another. Generally lauded as a win-win arrangement, it allows the homeowner to leave stress-free, knowing their property will be cared for and gives the sitter a place to stay for free, without rent. However, things don’t always go to plan. Here’s what to do to avoid running into a house-sitting disaster. Carry out a risk assessment It’s always safer to be mentally and physically prepared for anything that could go wrong. Most often, this includes being ready for difficult situations such as various pet-related issues, such as injury, tragic deaths, and missing pets, broken or leaking pipes causing water damage, insect infestations, extreme weather conditions, unexpected delays, or sickness and injury. Before agreeing to a house-sitting project, consider these details and formulate a plan for each. Keep a list of emergency contacts handy Emergencies may arise unexpectedly. In such cases, one must have a list of emergency contacts handy, with contacts such as 911, the local or preferred vet, the local police station, friends or family members who could help out on short notice, a Property Management Company, and local evacuation centers.