Any advice on how to choose a house sitter?

[TheOtherBennetSister]

We have to go away for 3 weeks and I thought it might be nice for our cat to stay at home. She's getting older and finds catteries stressful. Plus there's a tank of fish and some houseplants.

I posted an ad on a local house sitter site. Free for both parties (I don't pay them to look after my cat, they don't pay me to stay in my house).

I've had 6 applications within the first day! They all seem nice - young professionals with good references. One older lady who wants to be near her grandchildren. 2 couples. A student. A few obviously do it full time.

Our house is very ordinary, and we live in a boring suburb. Am very surprised to have so many people keen.

Any advice on what to look for?

Bump. Anyone?
Maybe I shouldn't have put this in chat.

I did some free dog sitting last year from a website. I needed to get out of the house for a few days and their house was lovely and local.

I actually went to their house before the sit, met them and the dog. I took my passport and a couple of utility bills so I could prove who I was. They were very trusting and didn’t seem to be that bothered about checking me out.

Im not sure how you choose. Perhaps look up their social media, just check that everything adds up. Do you want the sitters to keep the cat company, if so you may want to check how much time they envisage being in the house. It may be your house is in a good location.

I’ve noticed on the trusted house sitter site that there are far less sits available outside of the main summer holidays and Christmas, so that may be why you’ve had six replies.