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Home is where the heart is, which means house-sitting is like taking someone’s heart in your hands. (No pressure.) It can also be a good way to live rent-free, earn goodwill and see a different part of the world, the city or the cul-de-sac, as the case may be. Here, some tips on how to survive under someone else’s roof.

Set up a pre-D-day meeting

D-day (as in departure day for the homeowner) tends to be a whirlwind of packing, panicking and passport hunting – in other words, not an ideal time to get the lay of the land. Instead, set up a meeting during a less intense time. Even if your sittee is also your BFF, it’s important to go over all of the details in advance. Start by taking an informal tour of the home, re-enacting the steps that the homeowner would normally take after getting up in the morning and arriving home from work. This may seem a little dramatic, but it’s a good way to make sure everything is covered. Rule No. 1 for the pre-D-day meeting: “Try the key,” says Kyle Freeman, chief executive officer of Toronto-based VIP Sitters. “People often hand over a key that doesn’t work, for whatever reason, and once they’re gone, you’re out of luck.”

Insist on a list of VIPs

Ask the homeowner to come up with an exhaustive list of very important people you may need to call while sitting. “This is more than just the standard emergency contacts,” says Mr. Freeman, who suggests getting a preapproved list that includes a plumber, cable company, an electrician, security company, insurance company, one or two reliable neighbours, an emergency contact and a veterinarian, if necessary. And don’t forget the most obvious: a detailed rundown of contact info for the people going away. “Just a cell number isn’t enough,” Mr. Freeman warns, especially since cells can be unreliable in other countries. Instead, get a detailed itinerary with hotel names, dates and flight information.

Insure the insurance is in place

Have your host clear house-sitting arrangements with his or her insurance provider. This is important when the arrangement involves checking in on a house every few days as opposed to staying there: “A lot of policies require that someone be in the house with a specified amount of frequency, especially during frozen-pipe season,” Mr. Freeman says, adding that homeowners should go directly to the insurance company, as brokers may not provide the right information. Also, get the insurance agreement in writing – the only thing worse than coming home to a flooded basement is coming home to a flooded basement that’s going to cost you a bundle.

Make your presence known

When a thief is scoping out possible targets, the first thing he or she will look for are signs that no one is home – an unkempt lawn, mail pileup, lights off, no footprints in the snow. So one of the most important jobs of a house-sitter is to make the place look lived in, which shouldn’t be too hard if you’re actually living there. If not, make every visit count: Turn lights, appliances and electronics on and off, maybe move the car (you’ll want to run that by the homeowner first) and make lots of tracks. Don’t forget to vary the time of your visits: “After a lack of occupancy, any kind of routine is what a prospective thief will look for,” Mr. Freeman says.

Keep a journal of your journey

Create your own personal insurance policy by keeping a log of the entire house-sitting experience. Begin by taking a complete tour of the house, noting anything that may be broken or damaged – a jiggly toilet handle, an ink stain on the couch. This is a good way to ensure that you don’t take the blame for pre-existing problems, which the homeowner may or may not be aware of. Mr. Freeman recommends using the journal to track time spent in the house, daily activities (watering plants, walking the dog, signing for a package), as well as any unforeseen expenses or emergencies.

And don’t do this: Assume that everyone likes things the way you do, meaning don’t organize the spice cupboard alphabetically or make other major changes.

Special to The Globe and Mail