If you are interested in house-sitting, you’re in the right place!
Let’s explore what house sitting is all about (and how you can get started as a house sitter!)
What You Should Do First
Get a jump start on your house-sitting journey with my FOUR SIMPLE steps to success below.
1️⃣ If you are unsure what house sitting is, read my definition; if you already know, you can skip this step and jump to step 3 by clicking here
2️⃣Read about my five years of house-sitting in over 13 countries and why I am the EXACT person you need to help you.
3️⃣ Follow action 1 and action 2 in the table, and you will be on your way to becoming an in-demand housesitter.
4️⃣ Read the frequently asked questions. I get dozens of emails a day, and these are the most common ones.
📌Step 1 – What is House Sitting? (Skip if You Know This)
What is House Sitting?
Are you not sure what house sitting is? House sitting is caring for someone’s home and/ or pets while they are away. Sometimes, there might be plants to water and mail to bring in.
The homeowners have peace of mind knowing their home is being looked after. They also know they are being well cared for if they have animals.
The house sitters get free accommodation and the wonderful opportunity to live in different locations worldwide. It’s a win/win situation! For both the homeowner and house sitter!
So, if you want free accommodation and the opportunity to live in incredible homes worldwide, read on!
📌Step 2 – About Me (and Why I Can Help You!)
How We Started House Sitting (+ Saved $150,00 Doing It!)
We are Britt and Jay (The Travelling House Sitters). We have been house-sitting for NINE years and saved over $150,000.
So far, we have looked after homes (and one boat) in 13 countries.
That includes New Zealand, Australia, Italy, France, Montenegro, Greece, Croatia, Malaysia, Thailand, Ireland, and the UK. Jay is currently in the Caribbean looking after a catamaran!
We truly love this lifestyle and the (financial & travel) freedom it has allowed us!
We have raving reviews from over 30 completed housesits! So, we have the skills, knowledge, and experience to teach you how to start your house-sitting journey.
You will learn our best strategies for repeatedly landing your dream house-sitting assignments!
📌Step 3 – Your Easy Action Plan
Action 1:
Build References
Building References for Beginners
Want to know the number one thing you need for house-sitting?
References
Just like a job, to land the house sits you need references!
But what if you’re starting out and don’t have ANY?
Below are some tips for building your references
Have you house-sat for friends or family? If you have, ask them for a written reference.
Use Airbnb? Take a screenshot of your reviews and create a house-sitting CV on a Google doc or Canva doc you can send with your applications.
Have you done any dog walking?
Have you done any charity work or community group work?
Have you owned pets in the past? Add that to your house-sitting CV
Trusted House Sitter is the platform to find all our house-sitting assignments.
After 40+ house sits in 15 countries, it’s our go-to!
Do you want 25% off your membership? Click the link below or the button, and the discount will automatically apply! Click here to get the EPIC discount.
Clicking this link helps support a tiny website like mine <3
It can be tricky to get house sits when you first start. It’s like a job; people want to see that that you have positive references and experience. However, we do have some tips and tricks we used to land our first house sits. 👉 See our tips here for getting references when starting out as housesitters.
Can I Get Free Rent By House Sitting?
You can indeed get free rent by house sitting! We have been house-sitting for five years and have never had to pay rent! We have house-sat in our hometowns and around the world.
How Do You House Sit Full and Earn Money?
Yes — and we do! We have been digital nomads for the past five years. It’s important to check that the home has reliable Wi-Fi and a good workspace if you need to be online for work. Many homeowners love the idea of someone being home during the day to keep their pets company. We can show you how to earn money while traveling, saving the world, living comfortably, and earning an income!
Do I Need to Pay to Join a House Sitting Website?
Most house-sitting platforms do charge a membership fee, but many let you browse listings before paying. We always say: make sure they have sits in the places you’re keen on before you hand over any cash! We have a full breakdown of platforms (and which ones we use) on the site.
Which Are the Best House Sitting Websites?
This really depends on the platform and where in the world you’re looking to sit.
Some websites allow homeowners to post free of charge, while others, like TrustedHousesitters, charge a fee to both sitters and homeowners. We like the two-sided model because it means everyone is committed. You tend to get fewer flaky or half-hearted listings when there’s a little skin in the game. Depending on where we are, we use a mix of international and country-based platforms, and we’ve got articles on our site to help you pick the best one. We’ve also scored some great discounts for our readers (like 25% off TrustedHousesitters and 15% off Aussie House Sitters), so definitely check those out! 👉 The different house-sitting websites compared.
What Do Homeowners Expect from a House Sitter?
At the very least, be responsible, tidy, and respectful of their home and pets. Think of it like staying at a friend’s place — you want them to come back to everything exactly as they left it (or better!). Most homeowners also love getting regular updates and knowing their pets are happy while they’re away.
How Do I Create a Great House Sitting Profile?
Your profile is your first impression — so make it count! Add a friendly photo, write about your experience with pets or looking after homes, and share a bit about who you are. Be genuine. Don’t worry if you’re just starting — there are ways to build trust even if you don’t have reviews yet.
What Should I Include in My House Sitting Application?
Keep it personal and specific. Mention the pets by name, comment on their home, and show you’ve read the listing. Homeowners get a lot of copy-paste messages — so yours will stand out if it feels like a conversation, not a template. We’ve landed dream sits just by being real and kind in our first message.
Do I Need Insurance as a House Sitter?
Some platforms include basic insurance (like vet cover or property protection), but it’s not always enough. We recommend travel insurance for peace of mind — especially if you’re traveling abroad. You want to be covered if something unexpected happens, even if it’s not directly related to the sit.
Can I House Sit With a Partner or Pet?
Absolutely — but not all homeowners allow it. We travel as a couple and always mention that upfront. If you’ve got a pet, it’s more limiting, but not impossible. Some owners love the idea of their dog having a buddy to hang out with — just be honest in your application.
How Long Are Typical House Sits?
Sits can be as short as a weekend or as long as a year! We’ve done everything from 3-day city breaks to 6-month countryside retreats. There’s no ‘normal’ — it all depends on what the homeowner needs. You can filter by dates and duration on most platforms.
Can I Choose Where I Want to House Sit?
Yes! That’s one of the best parts. Whether you want to sit close to home or travel overseas, you can pick locations that suit you. We’ve house-sat in places we never would have thought to visit and ended up loving them. You can even set up alerts for your dream spots!
Is House Sitting Safe?
In our experience — yes. We’ve never had an issue. Most platforms have built-in reviews, secure messaging, and ID checks. Just trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to accept. We’ve always found homeowners warm, welcoming, and genuinely lovely people.
Why Don’t Most Overseas House Sitters Charge?
Most international house sitting is built on a value exchange — you get free accommodation in return for caring for someone’s home and pets. No money changes hands, and that’s kind of the magic of it. It keeps things based on trust, not transactions.
Plus, in many countries, charging for a sit could get messy with visas and immigration—especially if you’re not legally allowed to work there. For us personally, being part of the sharing economy feels more rewarding. When no one’s paying anyone, expectations stay clear, and the experience feels more genuine.
Can I House Sit in My Own Country or Only Abroad?
You can totally house sit close to home — in fact, that’s how we got started! Local sits are great for building references and learning the ropes. Whether you want to explore new neighborhoods or stay near family, you do no need to jump on a plane immediately.
Do I Need Experience With Pets to House Sit?
Not necessarily — but it definitely helps! Most sits involve pets (especially cats and dogs), so having some basic experience or confidence is a big plus. If you’re new to pets, start with low-maintenance animals or shorter sits while you get comfortable.
