What does a cottage watch service actually do?

The core idea

A cottage watch service keeps an eye on your property while you’re away and handles what comes up. In practice that means regular documented checks — inside and out, with photos and a written report — plus storm and emergency response, being a keyholder who can let a trade in, and coordinating the worka cottage inevitably needs. The point is simple: you shouldn’t have to worry about the place you go to stop worrying.

What it is not

• Not a property manager. We don’t run rentals, tenants, or bookings.
• Not a house sitter. Nobody’s living there — we visit, check, and report.
• Not a home inspector. We’re not producing a pre-purchase inspection report; we’re ongoing eyes on the place.

Why owners use one

Three reasons come up again and again: the cottage sits empty and far away, so problems go unnoticed; many insurance policies now require documented checks on an unoccupied property (see our insurance guide); and the old “I’ve got a neighbour who checks on it” arrangement is a single point of failure — until the day it isn’t there.

What to look for

• Insured — they’re trusted with your keys and codes.
• Documented — photos and a real report every visit, not just “all good.”
• Local — close enough to actually respond when it matters.
• References — and a straight answer about what’s included.

That’s exactly how we’re built: local to the Rideau Lakes and surrounding area, fully insured, documented every visit, with each property’s own Playbook. See what we do and our membership options.