If you want to know how to start housesitting, I’m here to tell you everything I have learned about housesitting and petsitting, including my top house sitting tips for finding assignments, how to bag your perfect house sit, and how to have a successful sit while you’re there. Read on for the beginner’s guide on how to be a house sitter!
What is Housesitting?
Let’s start at the beginning. Housesitting is temporarily living in and taking care of someone else’s house (and usually their pets) while they are away from home.
The housesitter is there mainly to provide security, care for pets, look after the property, and perform any necessary tasks or duties specified by the homeowner, like watering plants, collecting mail and keeping the house clean and tidy.
Housesitting arrangements can vary widely depending on the needs and expectations of both the sitter and the home owner. Some housesitters might stay in the house for a short period like a couple of days, while others could stay there for weeks or months while the owners are away on vacation, business trips, or any other time they cannot be around to look after their home and/or pets.
Some housesitters may be paid for their services, but it is more usual to just have free accommodation in exchange for the sit – especially if you are just starting out. Usually, they would stay in the home they are caring for, but occasionally this could be in a different part of the property or alternative accommodation like a caravan.
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What is the Difference Between Pet-Sitting and House-Sitting?
The main difference between house-sitting and pet-sitting is that petsitting involves caring for the homeowner’s pets as the primary responsibility. House-sitting isn’t always pet-sitting as some people just want someone to watch their home while they are away and don’t have any animals to look after.
As pet sitters are there primarily to care for the animals, their main responsibilities include feeding the pets, providing fresh water, giving them medications if necessary, taking dogs for walks or exercising them, cleaning litter boxes or cages, grooming, and providing companionship and playtime while their owners are away.
Usually, petsitters will stay in the house, but sometimes they will just visit the house to feed the animals and clean them out if they don’t need a lot of maintenance.
Pet sitting provides a valuable alternative to boarding pets in kennels or catteries, as it means that the pets can stay in their familiar environment and keep their usual daily routines. This can help reduce stress and anxiety for the animals, and for the pet owner, it is also considerably cheaper to have a pet-sitter come and stay than it is to pay for a cattery or kennels for the pets!
How to Be a Housesitter
For the purposes of this article, I’m going to stick with the umbrella term house sitting, as that can also include pet sitting, and most of the advice will apply to both anyway.
I’m going to share all of my tips and recommendations for getting started with housesitting, but first, you need to make sure it is a good option for you.
Getting free accommodation might seem like a great perk for digital nomads and budget travellers, but it housesitting is a big responsibility, especially when animals are involved. Here are more pros and cons of housesitting so you can decide if you want to give it a go!
Pros of Being a House Sitter
Working with Animals
If you love animals, being a house or pet sitter gives you the opportunity to spend time with different animals and it can be very rewarding to provide care and love to animals that you wouldn’t normally have the chance to meet.
Feeling Like Home
If you are not able to have your own pets (or home) due to circumstances like full-time travel, being able to spend time in a comfortable house (and with the extra bonus of having a pet to cuddle and care for) allows you to feel like you are at home – a rare feeling for some digital nomads!
Flexible Schedule
As a house and pet sitter, you have the flexibility to set your own schedule and choose the assignments that work best for you. If you want to travel and spend a couple of weeks somewhere or just a couple of days you can find house sitting opportunities all over the world to suit your itinerary.
Free Travel
Paying for accommodation when you travel can get expensive, so having free accommodation in exchange for caring for a home and pets means you can save a lot of money and effectively travel for free. Of course, you do have certain commitments in exchange for a place to stay which I’ll cover below!
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Cons of Being a Pet Sitter
Responsibility
This is a big one. As a pet sitter, you are entrusted with the care and well-being of someone else’s beloved pets. Caring for animals is a big responsibility, and you need to make sure you are looking after the animals properly, as well as making sure the house is secure and well-maintained during your stay.
Housesitting can be more challenging with elderly or high-maintenance pets, so you’ll need to be comfortable with the level of care required. You should also bear in mind how much time you will need to dedicate to looking after the animals compared to your own work or activities.
If you need to walk the dog 3 times a day, don’t expect to be out sight-seeing all day, every day. If you work from home then affectionate cats or barking dogs can easily distract you from your work!
Potential Liability
This responsibility comes with potential liability if something goes wrong or an accident occurs while you are caring for the pets. Most house-sitting websites will include some sort of insurance if anything should go wrong, but check the terms carefully to make sure you are covered if the worst happens and a pet gets sick or something is damaged in the house.
Physical Work
Pet sitting may involve physical tasks such as walking dogs, cleaning up after pets, and in some cases handling larger animals such as horses or cows. It is important to be physically capable of the demands of the job, which can vary greatly depending on the pets you care for.
No Guarantee of Sits
While flexibility can be an advantage, sometimes there aren’t housesits available when or where you want them. It can be particularly difficult to arrange back-to-back sits if you plan to house-sit in several locations or use house-sitting as your full-time travel plans.
Even having to spend a couple of nights in a hotel in between housesits can be expensive, or if a homeowner cancels you will need to make other arrangements.
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Emotional Attachment and Loss
Building relationships with pets means that saying goodbye can be challenging. Dealing with the loss of a pet or managing separation from a beloved animal can be difficult for pet sitters, especially if you have built a bond over several weeks or months.
So, does it still sound like you want to give housesitting a try? Let’s dive into how to become a housesitter!
How to Start House Sitting
Sit for Friends and Family
The best way to start house sitting is to so some sits for your friends and family so you can get some experience with people and homes you already know.
Several housesits I’ve done were for friends of mine when they were going on holiday. One couple just wanted to have someone in their apartment while they were away, and I’ve cared for various cats and some tortoises for friends who were glad to have someone they knew to look after their beloved pets.
Learn About Animal Care
You also should have some experience with animals if you want to start petsitting. You don’t need to be an expert, but be confident that you can look after the specific animal you want to care for. I haven’t had much experience with dogs so I would only look after small and low-maintenance dogs, cats, or other animals which don’t require special care.
It would be irresponsible of me to agree to look after someone’s three huge dogs without any knowledge of how to manage them on walks for example. As you do more sits with more animals, your knowledge and confidence will grow.
You can also look into doing a course about animal care – I found one online about animal first aid as I wanted to make sure I could handle emergencies or health issues with the pets I was looking after.
Look for House Sitting Opportunities
Once you have some housesitting for friends or family under your belt then you can start to look for housesitting opportunities in other places.
Recommendations and referrals from friends are good ways to expand your experience, and you could also try Facebook groups looking for housesitters, but without official agreements or contracts there are risks involved for the home-owner and sitter, so I usually prefer to go through a third party where there are fewer potential risks.
There are various housesitting websites that act as an intermediary between homeowners and potential housesitters, including TrustedHousesitters, MindMyHouse and more.
Bear in mind that the cheapest isn’t always best when you’re looking at membership options, and extras like insurance or veterinary helplines can be very useful should something go wrong on a sit. For me, paying a little more for peace of mind is well worth it, especially as you’ll save more than the membership fee on accommodation!
Check out my list of suggested House Sitting websites below, it’s not exhaustive but should give you a good idea of what is out there:
The Best Housesitting Websites
TrustedHousesitters
The largest house-sitting site in the world, Trusted Housesitters is my preferred housesitting website. It is one of the most popular and widely recognised platforms for house sitting worldwide and they have a large number of sits in Europe, Australia and North America, and are growing steadily in other countries.
I’ve got a Trusted Housesitters coupon for you save 25% on Trusted Housesitters Membership with the code TALES25 – or you can create a free profile to browse available sits before you buy.
TrustedHousesitters allows members to create comprehensive profiles with reviews and references, helping sitters stand out to homeowners. The platform provides 24/7 support and secure messaging, and it’s a top choice for both experienced and new house sitters thanks to the extensive benefits provided with the different levels membership.
The membership fees are very reasonable starting from under $10 per month for a year’s membership of unlimited sits during that period, although I recommend the Standard or Premium membership options as they include lots of useful extras and don’t cost much more than the basic option.
All membership levels include a Money Back Promise which means that if you do not confirm any sits within 14 days of making your 5th application as a sitter, you’ll receive your money back with no strings attached.
Extra options for the standard membership include
- free phone, chat or video consultations with veterinary experts, 24/7, anytime you need it.
- Instant alerts for unlimited saved searches via the app or email when house sits which match your criteria become available
- Dedicated member support – in addition to TrustedHousesitters basic support, get extra assistance to secure your first sit quickly and easily.
- Accident & third party liability plan – if a pet causes damage or injury to another person, their property, or pets whilst under your control during a sit, and this is due to negligence on your part, you’ll be covered up to $1,000,000 per incident. (Terms and conditions apply).
and Premium Membership at £199 GBP / $259 USD per year also includes
- Sit cancellation plan where you receive compensation should the pet parent cancel the sit. Trusted Housesitters will provide up to $150 compensation per night to cover the cost of alternative accommodation, up to $1500 per sit. (Terms and conditions apply).
- 2 global airport lounge passes for two people
- The Premium Badge logo on your profile
You can read my full review of TrustedHousesitters here, but I love how much is included the standard and premium options, and the level of customer support so you feel comfortable and confident during the sits, safe in the knowledge you have them there to help if you need it. That peace of mind is definitely worth the money for me!
One downside though is that they haven’t got a great reach in South America yet, but I am a member and am always looking out for potential housesits for my next destinations in Latin America, as well as Europe.
Trusted Housesitters Discount Code
SAVE 25% on Trusted Housesitters Membership with the code TALES25
Other Housesitting Websites
After researching various other options for housesitting, I am even more convinced that TrustedHousesitters is the best housesitting website, as long as you choose the upgraded membership options. None of the other house sitting platforms I found gave as much support or had insurance in place to help both the sitters and home owners.
However, if you want some cheaper alternatives to TrustedHousesitters without the extra benefits, here are some options for you:
HouseCarers
HouseCarers is a well-established platform, particularly strong in connecting house sitters with homeowners in the UK and USA. It’s free for homeowners to join and housesitters are required to pay a membership of $50 a year.
The site offers detailed profiles and search filters to help you find a good match for your skills and availability. If you’re looking for a straightforward platform to find opportunities, especially if you’re focused on the UK or North America, this is a good option.
HouseSitMatch
HouseSitMatch does provide some extra support beyond most of the other options. Their membership fees start from £69 per year (around $89 USD) for standard membership, with their premium membership at £89 (around $116 USD) including extra support to get started and customer support which isn’t in the basic membership option.
Sitters can create detailed profiles (with more space and images allowed for premium members), showcasing their skills, experience, and references, which help improve their chances of securing a sit. The platform also includes a forum for advice, tips, and networking with fellow sitters and homeowners.
MindMyHouse
MindMyHouse is a simple, user-friendly platform ideal for budget-conscious sitters, thanks to its low-cost membership fee – just $29 for the year.
The platform has an easy search process and allows sitters to quickly browse and apply for available opportunities. Although it’s a smaller platform compared to others like TrustedHousesitters, MindMyHouse still offers a good range of listings and could be useful for sitters just starting out or looking for low-cost entry to house sitting.
However, I did see a house listing that stated they would collect a deposit of $350 before the sitter stayed at the property, which rang alarm bells for me.
Visit MindMyHouse
Nomador
Based in Europe, Nomador is an international house-sitting site that fosters a strong sense of community. There is a large number of options for people looking for sits in Europe, although it has opportunities all around the world.
Nomador offers 3 membership tiers, including “discovery” option for a 3 month membership, and standard and Premium memberships that come with extra benefits.
The platform has a friendly, community-focused feel, making it a great choice for those who prefer building relationships with homeowners.
Visit Nomador
Luxury House Sitting
Luxury House Sitting is focused on premium house-sitting opportunities, often involving more luxurious or higher-end properties. It’s aimed at experienced sitters or those comfortable taking on additional responsibilities such as managing large estates, caring for more pets, or maintaining more complex properties, so not for beginners or backpackers!
The platform has a smaller, exclusive community, ensuring that both homeowners and sitters are thoroughly vetted. As this site caters to higher-end listings, I expected the membership fee to be higher but at just $25 for sitters it seems to good to be true! As with most other housesitting platforms they recommend that the homeowner and sitter have their own contract in place before beginning a sit.
Visit Luxury House Sitting
Country-Specific Housesitting Platforms
If you’re only looking for housesitting opportunities in a specific country, you may find more options going through a country-specific website, for example House Sitters America, House Sitters UK or Kiwi House Sitters. I haven’t registered for any of these myself so you’ll need to do your own research to see if they might be a better option for you.
Housesitting Tips for Beginners
These are my top 5 tips for everyone who wants to start housesitting.
Create a Detailed Profile
Your profile is your first impression, so make it count. Include relevant experience, even if it’s from taking care of your own pets, friends’ pets or homes. Highlight your strengths, such as being responsible, organised, or good with animals. But be honest about your skills and limitations—this will help attract the right kind of sits.
Make sure to include photos of yourself with pets or in a home setting to personalise your profile – pet owners want to see that you are just as passionate about animals as they are. Testimonials, even from friends or former landlords, can also add credibility if you’re just starting out.
A well-rounded profile including as much detail as you can will show that you’re reliable and trustworthy. TrustedHousesitters allows you to link to your other online profiles including LinkedIn and Airbnb as well as social media profiles so homeowners looking for a responsible sitter can get a good idea of who you are.
Be Flexible
Flexibility is key when you’re new to housesitting, as it opens up more opportunities. While you may have a dream destination in mind, being open to different locations, dates, and types of pets increases your chances of securing a sit.
This could mean taking a short-term or last-minute sit, or taking sits in your local area in order to build up reviews on your profile. The more flexible you are in the beginning, the faster you can build up your experience and reviews, making you more appealing for future sits in your desired locations.
Choose Opportunities Carefully
That said, it’s tempting to say yes to every offer, but it’s important to select sits that match your experience and comfort level. For example, if you’ve never cared for dogs before, starting with a sit that involves caring for multiple large dogs is not a good idea. Read reviews from previous sitters, and try to read between the lines – people aren’t always as honest as they could be regarding the state of the home or the behaviour of the pets.
Read the listing details carefully to ensure you’re clear on the homeowner’s expectations whether it’s pet care like multiple feeding times or walking times every day, gardening, or maintenance tasks. Look at the photos of the home and check the sleeping arrangements – will you be in the master bedroom or a shed at the bottom of the garden? Make sure you know what you are signing up for.
Consider the location and the length of the sit too. Remote locations may require you to bring supplies, so if you don’t have your own car then check the public transport network in the area. Is it a nice area to stay? My first sit with people I didn’t know was in a not-so-pleasant area of Leeds that I am in no hurry to rush back to!
Write a Personal Application
Once you’ve found a good housesitting job, don’t just send a generic message. Tailor your application to the specific needs of the homeowner and mention details from their listing, such as the names of their pets, and explain why you’re a good fit for that particular sit.
Share a bit about yourself and your housesitting experience, but keep it concise and relevant – don’t repeat everything in your profile. Highlight your ability to handle any responsibilities mentioned in the listing—whether it’s managing a large garden or caring for a senior pet.
A personal and thoughtful message demonstrates genuine interest and increases your chances of getting chosen way more than a standard copy and paste “hi i want to stay in your house” message!
Prepare for an Interview
Once they’ve reviewed your profile and are considering you to look after their house and pets, most homeowners will want to interview you, either in person or via video call. This is your opportunity to build trust, clarify expectations, and make sure you’re all comfortable with the agreement.
Be ready to answer questions about your experience and how you’ll care for their home and pets. Show that you’ve read their listing carefully by asking questions about their pets’ routines or any house rules.
For example, questions like, “Does your dog have any specific health needs?” or “What’s your preferred way of handling mail or deliveries?” This shows you’re attentive and serious about the commitment. Be prepared to discuss your experience and availability, and make sure everyone is clear on what’s expected.
Prepare for the Sit
Woo hoo you’ve secured your first house sit! But the fun is only just beginning, and you want to make sure you start on the right foot. Before the sit, make sure you have thorough communication with the homeowner and a week or two before the sit ask them to provide you with detailed information about their home, pets (if any), and any specific duties.
Some things you might want to clarify include:
- Household routines: How do things operate in the home? Are there any quirks like tricky locks or appliances?
- Pet care: What are their feeding schedules, exercise routines, or any special needs?
- Emergency contacts: Have a list of contacts such as neighbours, vets, and service providers in case anything goes wrong.
- House rules: Check if there are any rules about areas you can’t use, mail collection, bin days, or security measures, and whether you can use any of the food in the cupboards or should buy your own.
- Arrival & Departure details: Discuss the arrival and departure process, including any instructions for handing over keys.
TrustedHousesitters allows homeowners to create a Welcome Guide with all the information you might need about their home and pets, but I still like to ask my own questions to get everything clear. I have a checklist that I email to my home owners and ask them to complete it so I have all the important information in writing – to make sure I don’t forget, and to make sure there are no misunderstandings!
Complete the Sit
During the housesit, make sure you do what you said you were going to. Look after the animals properly, keeping them safe and healthy, and sending regular photos and videos to the homeowners so they can see their pets are doing well without them.
It’s good to keep in regular contact with the homeowners to give them peace of mind and to make sure any questions you have about the house or animals are answered quickly. Keep things clean and tidy and be respectful of the house rules you agreed.
Hopefully, you’ll have a wonderful sit, caring for cute animals and everything will have gone smoothly, after you prepared so well! That said, stay flexible and adapt to changes that might crop up. Taking a cat to the vet and having to give her eye-drops wasn’t in my housesit plan, but it happened!
When the homeowners are due to return, arrange the times for handing over keys, and keep in touch in case of any flight delays. Do you have a plan in place in case you need to stay another night?
When the homeowners return, make sure the house is clean and you’ve left it as you’ve found it, replacing items you’ve used if needed, and preparing for a smooth and happy welcome when they arrive.
Assuming everything went well, don’t forget to ask the homeowner for a review. I usually give them a week or so to settle back in then send a gentle reminder if they haven’t published one yet. I explain that I’m looking for new sits and would really appreciate a good review to help me secure another sit and they’re usually happy to oblige!
Housesitting FAQ
If you have any more questions about housesitting, hopefully, these questions and answers will help give you some guidance. Otherwise please do reach out to me on Threads and I’ll do my best to answer any questions or doubts you have!
What is house sitting?
House sitting involves looking after someone’s home, and often their pets, while they are away. In exchange, the sitter usually stays in the home rent-free, maintaining the property and caring for pets or plants.
Do I need any prior experience to start house sitting?
No prior experience is required, but it can be helpful. Many homeowners look for responsible sitters who can care for their pets and property. Experience with animals, gardening, or home maintenance is often a plus.
Do I get paid to house sit?
Most housesitting arrangements are unpaid, where the sitter provides services in exchange for free accommodation. However, in some cases, particularly with long-term sits or for more demanding responsibilities, sitters may receive payment.
What responsibilities do I have as a house sitter?
Responsibilities vary depending on the homeowner’s needs but often include feeding and walking pets, watering plants, keeping the home clean, taking out rubbish, and possibly light gardening or pool maintenance.
Do I need a contract or agreement with the homeowner?
Yes, it’s advisable to have a written agreement outlining the terms of the house sit. This can cover dates, expectations, pet care instructions, and emergency contacts. Many house sitting websites provide templates for these agreements.
Is house sitting safe?
House sitting is generally safe, but it’s important to communicate thoroughly with the homeowner before accepting a sit. Most reputable platforms offer background checks and reviews to help ensure the safety of both parties.
Can I house sit if I have a full-time job or work remotely?
If you work remotely, house sitting can be ideal, as long as the homeowner’s requirements (e.g., pet care) are flexible enough to fit your schedule. However, if you have a full-time job outside of the home, it might be difficult to commit to the time required to care for pets or perform other daily tasks.
What should I bring with me to a house sit?
Bring personal items, such as clothing and toiletries. Some house sits may require you to bring your own food, but most homes will have basic kitchen supplies. Ensure you have any specific items the homeowner may request, such as pet food or medication instructions.
How do I stand out as a new house sitter?
Start by building your profile on house sitting platforms, showcasing your skills and reliability. Getting references from friends, family, or previous homeowners, even if informal, can help. Volunteer for short or local house sits to gain experience and build reviews.
What happens if something goes wrong during the house sit?
If an issue arises, such as a pet falling ill or a maintenance problem, it’s crucial to contact the homeowner immediately and follow any emergency instructions they have left. Ensure you have their contact details and any necessary emergency services numbers at hand.
Can I bring guests while house sitting?
This depends on the homeowner’s preferences. Always ask for permission before inviting guests over, and if it’s not allowed, respect their wishes.
Can I house sit internationally?
Yes, many people travel and house sit internationally. This can be a great way to explore new places while saving on accommodation costs. Just be sure to research visa requirements, local laws, and cultural expectations before committing to an international sit.
There has been some stories in the press lately about housesitting being classed as work, which would require a work visa.
In most cases, if you have built up a relationship with the homeowner before you travel then you may be able to say that you are visiting friends and not mention housesitting at all – but you need to make sure you are aware of all of the immigration rules and follow them properly.
Do I need insurance as a house sitter?
Some homeowners may have insurance that covers house sitters, but it’s wise to ask. In addition, personal travel or liability insurance can provide extra peace of mind. Some platforms offer insurance as part of their membership.