How CHWG Began
In Canada, the need for reliable Home Watch services grew quickly—driven by snowbirds, seasonal residents, and recreational property owners. But the industry lacked consistency, oversight, and even a clear definition of what “Home Watch” meant. Too often, homeowners placed their trust in businesses with no formal training, no insurance requirements, and no national standards.
The Canadian Home Watch Group (CHWG) was founded to change that.
Our mission from the start was clear:
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Establish Canadian standards for professionalism and service
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Protect homeowners through accreditation, vetting, and ethics
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Support Canadian Home Watch business owners with training, resources, and a national voice
Before CHWG, businesses operated under many different names—cottage checks, property watch, house monitoring—with no regulation or shared expectations. While many acted in good faith, even a single bad experience could undermine public trust in the entire industry.
CHWG brought structure, trust, and accountability to Home Watch in Canada.
We created the country’s first formal accreditation program designed for Home Watch providers. We introduced a Canadian Code of Ethics, mandatory background and business vetting, and the CHWP™ certification to train professionals on how to responsibly care for a client’s home in their absence.
Today, CHWG is proud to be the Canadian standard for both homeowners and business owners. What began as an effort to bring consistency to a scattered industry has grown into a nationally respected, Canadian-owned, internationally connected organization driving excellence in Home Watch.
What is Home Watch?
Home Watch is known by many names: house watch, house check, home concierge, caretaker, absentee home service, property watch, and so on. Regardless of the name, a Home Watch service performs scheduled inspections of unoccupied or vacant properties while the owner is away. The National Home Watch Association describes Home Watch as “a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues.”
Should the inspector find an issue or potential problem, they will immediately notify the homeowner. From there, the homeowner will instruct the Home Watch service as to how they want to proceed. By removing junk mail and flyers and creating a presence in the home, Home Watch adds a level of security to the vacant home. Home Watch is the line of communication to the homeowner that provides peace of mind during their absence.
What a Home Watch Visit Typically Include a basic check of:
A walkthrough of the interior and exterior
Visual checks for signs of water leaks, mold, storm damage, or pest activity
Confirmation that HVAC systems, appliances, and plumbing are functioning as expected
Lookout for signs of forced entry or unauthorized access
Check that doors, windows, and key systems are secure
Mail/package collection or other homeowner-requested tasks
Our Membership Standards
All NHWA-accredited members listed on this website have passed a rigorous vetting process, which includes:
✅ Criminal background checks on all company principals
✅ General and professional liability insurance
✅ Proper bonding
✅ Consumer complaint review
✅ Honest and accurate advertising
✅ Commitment to our Code of Ethics
✅ Agreement with our Mission Statement
This ensures every member operates with the highest level of trust and professionalism.
How NHWA Began
In 2009, the Home Watch industry was growing — but lacked consistency, oversight, or even a common definition of what “Home Watch” meant. Homeowners across North America were entrusting their vacant properties to businesses operating under different names, with no industry standard, no formal training, and no required insurance or accountability.
The National Home Watch Association (NHWA) was founded to bring clarity and credibility to this overlooked space. The goal was simple but essential:
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Establish professional standards.
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Protect homeowners through vetting and ethics.
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Support legitimate Home Watch businesses with tools, training, and a national voice.
At the time, Home Watch businesses were known by many names — from “house check” to “property watch” to “absentee home service.” There was no regulation or licensing. No bonding required. No shared expectations. Many operated in good faith, but even one bad experience could tarnish trust in the entire industry.
NHWA changed that.
We created the first accreditation program tailored specifically for Home Watch companies. We introduced a Code of Ethics, vetting protocols, and eventually the CHWP certification to train individuals on what it truly means to represent a homeowner in their absence.
Over the years, NHWA has grown into a trusted name among both homeowners seeking reliable care and business owners who want to stand out as qualified, credible providers. What started as a small network of committed companies has become a national — and now international — association, leading the conversation around accountability and quality in Home Watch.
“Our mission from the beginning has been to make the unregulated, regulated — and to give homeowners a place to turn for peace of mind.”
What Does a Home Watch Professional Do?
A trained set of eyes on your home — when you can’t be.
Home Watch is the practice of scheduled, in-person visits to unoccupied properties. Whether you’re away for the season, on an extended trip, or managing a second home, an accredited Home Watch professional helps spot issues before they become costly problems — and keeps you in the loop every step of the way.
Core Services Include:
Routine Visual Inspections
Professionals conduct thorough walkthroughs of both the interior and exterior of the home. These visits are designed to identify clear signs of water intrusion, pest activity, mold, or damage — with a focus on trained observation, not guesswork.
System & Condition Reviews
Most inspections include a basic check of plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. The goal is to ensure everything remains functional, stable, and undisturbed during the home’s vacancy.
Photo Reports & Real-Time Updates
If anything appears out of place, the Home Watch provider notifies the homeowner immediately. You’ll receive documentation — often with photos — so you can decide how to proceed, wherever you are.
Visual Presence That Deters Risk
Removing flyers, collecting mail, and showing periodic activity around the home helps prevent the look of vacancy — reducing the risk of being targeted for theft, vandalism, or unnoticed damage.
Many people confuse accreditation with certification — but they’re not the same.
Accreditation vs. Certification: What’s the Difference?
CHWG Accreditation (For Businesses)
Accreditation is earned by companies that meet CHWG’s strict requirements. It’s a full vetting process that establishes a business as professional, trustworthy, and accountable.
To become accredited, a business must:
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Pass a criminal background check on all company principals
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Undergo consumer affairs and BBB inquiries
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Verify all required business licenses at the provincial, municipal, or local level
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Provide proof of ongoing liability insurance and bonding
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Adhere to CHWG best practices and Code of Ethics
Accredited businesses are reviewed annually to maintain their status, ensuring standards are always upheld.
CHWP: Certified Home Watch Professional (For Individuals)
Certification is earned by people—principals or employees—who complete training and prove their expertise in Home Watch.
To become a Certified Home Watch Professional (CHWP):
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The individual must work for or own a CHWG-accredited company
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Meet hands-on experience requirements
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Complete CHWG’s core and regional training curriculum
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Pass the official CHWG certification exam
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Recertify every 2 years with continuing education and a renewal exam
Accreditation = Business credibility.
Certification = Personal expertise.
Why CHWG Accreditation Matters
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Accredited businesses follow strict Canadian ethics and vetting standards
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All members are fully insured, bonded, and background checked
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Ongoing education and CHWP™ certification programs
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Transparent communication with detailed home visit reporting
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Trusted national recognition with a strong local presence
Get to know the people supporting the Home Watch community.
Meet the NHWA Team
Each member brings years of hands-on experience in property care, client service, business management, and regional advocacy. Click on any board member below to learn more about their background and how they help guide NHWA’s vision and industry standards.
Executive Director
Meet the NHWA Team
Behind the scenes, our dedicated staff keeps the association running smoothly and supports members every step of the way — from onboarding to renewals and day-to-day questions. Click on any team member below to learn more about their role and contributions to NHWA.
National Home Watch Association Code of Ethics
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Always look out for the client’s best interest.
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Always protect the best interests of the Home Watch Industry.
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Always maintain proper insurance and bonding.
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Always maintain current business licenses.
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Always look to improve on existing industry standards.
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Always be diligent when checking the references of anyone or any company that you agree to do business with.
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Always think twice before speaking about competitors.
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Always use honesty and integrity in your business dealings.
National Home Watch Association Mission Statement
It is the mission and goal of the National Home Watch Association to establish and maintain the highest set of standards and ethics for all Home Watch companies in the United States of America and Canada;
To establish and maintain trust and confidence between homeowners and Home Watch professionals;
To protect the public from uninsured, unbonded and unethical individuals who represent themselves as Home Watch professionals;
To promote public awareness of the Home Watch industry; and
To ensure that only companies who represent the highest levels of professionalism are accredited as members of the National Home Watch Association.
How NHWA-Accredited Home Watch Differs From Other Services
Feature | NHWA-Accredited Provider | Non-Accredited Company | Security Company |
|---|---|---|---|
Peace of Mind Communication | ✔️Photo-documented reports and direct homeowner contact | ⚠️ Inconsistent updates | ⚠️ Alerts for emergencies only |
Trained in Home Watch Protocols | ✔️Follows NHWA standards and training | ❌ No standardized training | ❌Trained in security, not home maintenance |
Home System Monitoring | ✔️ Checks HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliance function | ⚠️ Varies by provider; often not included | ❌ Not within their service scope |
Scheduled Visual Inspections | ✔️ Routine interior & exterior checks with detailed reports | ⚠️May offer limited or inconsistent checks | ❌ Typically external perimeter checks only |
Customizable Service Options | ✔️ Flexible visits & homeowner-directed task lists | ⚠️ Often lacks customization | ❌ Fixed patrol routes or response protocols |
Accreditation & Vetting | ✔️ Verified through insurance, background check, and ethics compliance | ❌ No formal review or oversight | ❌ Licensed for security, not Home Watch |
Industry Support & Ethics Code | ✔️ Bound by NHWA’s Code of Ethics and peer network | ❌ No affiliation with national standards | ❌ Governed by security regulations only |
