What to Look For in a House Sitting Site

When we booked our first house sit — a two-week stay in London over Christmas — we had no idea it would lead to a full-time lifestyle. Since then, we’ve cared for homes and pets in 13 countries, including Thailand, Greece, Italy, France, New Zealand, and even a boat in Montenegro. These days, we house sit full-time in Melbourne when we’re not travelling.

After trying nearly every major platform over the years, one thing became clear:

👉 It’s not about finding the “best” house sitting site — it’s about finding the right one for you.

That means knowing how to evaluate each platform properly before signing up.
And that’s where this guide comes in.

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✅ Criteria to Evaluate Any House Sitting Platform

Before you commit to any membership, ask these 11 questions. They’ll help you figure out whether a platform aligns with your goals, travel plans, and experience level:

1. Can I browse listings before paying?
2. How many sits are listed — and where?
3. How competitive is the platform for new sitters?
4. Do they take verification and safety seriously?
5. Are there reviews — and are they two-way?
6. Is the messaging system easy to use?
7. Is the website/app intuitive and mobile-friendly?
8. What happens if I stop sitting for a while?
9. What kind of support is available if something goes wrong?
10. Are there helpful extras or tools included with membership?
11. How much does it cost — and what’s included?

The rest of this guide will walk you through each one, explaining why it matters and what to look for.

1. Can I Browse Listings Before Paying?

Why it matters:
You shouldn’t have to hand over your credit card to find out whether a platform even has sits in the countries you’re interested in. Browsing first lets you see what kinds of listings are available, how often new ones are posted, and whether the platform is even worth joining. Most platforms allow you to search freely if one doesn’t, move on.

Ask yourself:

• Can I see full listings (dates, location, pets) without paying?
• Do I need to give an email, or is it truly open?
• Are the sits active and detailed — or just vague summaries?

2. How Many Sits Are Listed — and Where?

Why it matters:
Even if a platform looks impressive, if it doesn’t have sits in the regions you’re targeting, it’s not useful to you. It’s important to see not just how many listings there are, but where they are. Some platforms are strong in one country but almost empty elsewhere.

Ask yourself:

• Are there sits in the locations I want to visit?
• Are new listings being added regularly?
• Are there a mix of urban, rural, short-term, and long-term sits?
• Do listings show real variety or is it mostly one region?

3. How Competitive Is the Platform?

Why it matters:
If every listing has 40+ applicants, it’ll be much harder to land your first sit — especially without reviews. Some platforms are very competitive, especially for short sits in popular tourist cities. Others have lower traffic and can be easier to break into.

Ask yourself:

• Are application numbers shown on each listing?
• Can I filter for less competitive sits?
• Are beginner sitters regularly getting accepted?
• Are sits mostly being snapped up by long-time users?

4. Do They Take Verification and Safety Seriously?

Why it matters:
Trust is essential if you’re staying in a stranger’s house or letting one into yours. A good platform will help build that trust by verifying ID, offering background checks, and keeping communication secure.

Ask yourself:

• Are sitters and homeowners required to verify ID?
• Is communication kept inside the platform?
• Are there visible safety systems or reporting tools?
• Are bad listings actively removed?

5. Are There Reviews — and Are They Two-Way?

Why it matters:
You should be able to see reviews from past sitters before applying — and likewise, homeowners should be able to read feedback about you. Two-way reviews keep everyone honest and help the best sitters and homeowners rise to the top.

Ask yourself:

• Can I see reviews for both sitters and homeowners?
• Are reviews tied to real completed sits?
• Are they visible before applying?
• Are there systems in place for resolving disputes?

6. Is the Messaging System Easy to Use?

Why it matters:
Once you start applying for sits, you’ll rely on the messaging system for everything — introductions, interviews, updates, and logistics. If it’s clunky or unreliable, it can delay or derail your application.

Ask yourself:

• Are messages linked clearly to each sit?
• Will I get notified when someone replies?
• Can I use it on both mobile and desktop?
• Does it support video calls or easy link sharing?

7. Is the Website or App Actually Usable?

Why it matters:
You’ll spend much time on the platform — browsing, applying, and updating your profile. The design needs to work for you, not against you. Poor filters, slow load times, or non-mobile-friendly sites can waste your time and cause frustration.

Ask yourself:

• Can I easily filter by location, pet type, and dates?
• Can I favourite or save sits?
• Is there a mobile app or good mobile site?
• Can I set alerts for new listings?

8. What Happens If I Take a Break?

Why it matters:
You might not be house sitting year-round — and that’s normal. Whether you pause for travel, family, work, or just to rest, it’s important to know your account won’t vanish if you’re not active. Some platforms keep your profile and reviews intact even if you don’t renew immediately.

Ask yourself:

• Will my reviews and sitter profile remain if I pause my membership?
• Can I reactivate easily after a break?
• Do I need to repeat ID checks or rebuild my profile if I return?
• Are there loyalty or renewal discounts for returning users?

9. What Kind of Support Is Available?

Why it matters:
No matter how prepared you are, sometimes things go wrong. A sit might fall through, a pet might get sick, or a homeowner might change plans. In those moments, having support from the platform can make all the difference.

Ask yourself:

• Is support available by email, chat, or phone?
• Are support hours clear — and do they cover your time zone?
• Do they offer any emergency or escalation help if something happens mid-sit?
• Are their response times realistic?

10. Are There Helpful Extras or Tools?

Why it matters:
Some platforms include extras that make house sitting smoother — like pet emergency guides, welcome booklet templates, or sitter agreements. These tools aren’t essential, but they can make you look more professional and help prevent confusion.

Ask yourself:

• Are there resources for sitters — like checklists, sample agreements, or pet care forms?
• Is there a place to connect with other sitters?
• Are extra perks (like vet hotlines, travel discounts, or cancellation protection) included?
• Are these features included, or only available on premium plans?

11. How Much Does It Cost — and What’s Included?

Why it matters:
Platform fees vary — and sometimes you’re paying for support and insurance, while other times you’re just paying for listing access. Knowing what’s included in the membership helps you make a smarter decision. A cheaper site might be better for local sits, while a more expensive one could offer more listings or stronger safety features.

Ask yourself:

• What is the annual membership fee?
• Are there different pricing tiers — and what do they include?
• Can I test the platform first (via free browsing or a trial)?
• Are there referral discounts, promo codes, or renewal savings?

12. Do They Offer Any Kind of Insurance or Coverage?

Why it matters:
Many people don’t think about insurance when first starting house sitting, but it can be a lifesaver if something goes wrong. Some platforms now include limited insurance as part of their membership (like damage or liability coverage), while others offer it as an add-on or not at all.

While this shouldn’t be the only reason you choose a platform, it’s essential to know what’s included — or what’s not — so there are no surprises.

Ask yourself:

• Is any insurance or coverage included with membership?
• What does that insurance cover — and what doesn’t it?
• Can I upgrade or add extra protection (like pet illness or cancellation)?
• Do I need separate travel insurance that covers house sitting?

🛡️ We still carry regular travel insurance, but some built-in coverage from platforms gave us peace of mind, especially for international trips or longer stays.

Choosing the right house sitting platform isn’t about popularity but fit.
The right site will feel natural to use, offer sits that match your goals, and help you grow as a sitter.

There’s no universal “best” — but there is a best for you. That’s why these questions matter.

Ask them before you sign up, and you’ll save time, money, and a lot of guesswork. You’ll also be more likely to land great sits, have smooth experiences, and build a solid reputation right from the start.

Need Help Getting Started With House Sitting

Have we got you excited about house-sitting? We love sharing our house-sitting experiences and teaching others how to become house-sitters and start their journeys. 

So, if you need help starting your house-sitting journey, see my resources here, and don’t hesitate to contact me and ask me any questions.