House-sitting is the practice whereby a landlord (or "homeowner"), leaving their house for a period of time, entrusts it to one or more "house-sitters", who by a mutual agreement are entitled to live there rent-free in exchange for assuming responsibilities such as taking care of the homeowner's pets, performing general maintenance, keeping trespassers off the property, collecting the mail, and in general, making sure that everything runs smoothly just as if the owner was at home.