Vacations are supposed to be relaxing. Unfortunately, many homeowners unintentionally create stressful—and sometimes expensive—situations for the friends, family members, or professional sitters watching their homes and pets.
At Able, we regularly see situations where:
- A house sitter gets locked out
- A pet sitter loses a key
- An electronic keypad battery fails
- A locksmith arrives but cannot legally verify authorization to open the door
These situations can quickly become frustrating for everyone involved—especially when the homeowner is hundreds or thousands of miles away.
The good news is that a little preparation before your trip can help to ensure that even if a lock fails or a key is lost, your home and pets will still receive the care they need.
Why a Written Authorization Letter Matters
If your house sitter or pet sitter becomes locked out while you are away, a locksmith must verify that the person requesting entry is authorized to access the property.
Professional locksmiths never simply take someone’s word for it. Legally, we can’t. Morally, we really shouldn’t.
Because “Trust me, bro” is not proof of ownership or authorization.
So, how do you show authorization when you aren’t the property owner? Easy.
A properly prepared and notarized authorization letter can help:
- Establish temporary authority to access the property
- Provide contact information for verification
- Clarify the authorized dates of access
- Reduce delays during emergencies
- Protect both the homeowner and service providers
While no document guarantees entry or overrides professional verification procedures, having documentation ready can make the process significantly smoother.
What Should Be Included in the Letter?
We recommend that the authorization letter include:
Full Property Address
Include the exact address, including apartment or unit numbers if applicable.
Property Owner’s Information
Name and Contact information for the actual property.
Best practice includes a copy of their driver’s license with the matching property address.
Full Legal Name of the Authorized Individual
The name should match their government-issued identification exactly.
Authorized Dates
Clearly define the start and end dates for access.
Example:
June 10, 2026 through June 18, 2026
Scope of Access
The letter should clearly state that the individual is authorized to:
- Enter and secure the property
- Care for pets and/or maintain the residence
- Respond to emergencies
- Contact a locksmith if locked out
Notarization
Having the document notarized adds an additional layer of legitimacy and verification.
Copies of Identification (Recommended)
We strongly recommend attaching:
- A copy of the homeowner’s ID
- The sitter’s ID
- If the sitter is a business, documentation from that business
This can help speed up verification if questions arise.
Download Our Free Sample Property Access & Care Authorization Letter
Planning a vacation this summer?
We’ve created a free sample authorization letter homeowners can use to help document temporary property access for trusted house sitters or pet sitters.
This sample includes:
- Temporary access authorization
- Emergency contact sections
- Locksmith authorization language
- Notary acknowledgment section
- Important usage and legal disclaimer information
Download the sample here:
