Finding a house-sitting job can allow you to travel around the world on a low budget. With the possibility of a homey, rent-free environment, it’s a fantastic alternative to traditional accommodation.
So, how can you get started as a house sitter? What’s the catch? Where do you even start? Let’s answer those questions for you, in an understandable fashion.
We’ve included a list of the top house-sitting websites for you to get started with, and we'll also look at some other complementary money-making options.
What is house sitting?
House sitting is when someone temporarily leaves their home and allows another person (the house sitter) to stay in it free of charge.
In exchange, the house sitter will need to fulfill certain responsibilities.
In most cases, it’s general maintenance (such as cleaning and ensuring security). But in many other cases, there are more specific requests, such as pet care and redirecting mail.
Think of it as babysitting but with a house or pet. It's very worthwhile for many, as you get home comforts like appliances, comfy furniture, and a full kitchen. There's even the possibility of being paid on top of having somewhere to stay.
How does house sitting work?
House sitting uses a surprisingly casual set-up, especially as there’s rarely money involved.
Naturally, both parties might be concerned about scams or their safety. This is why most people use online platforms, where homeowners select a housesitter via an application process.
These platforms use terms and conditions (and sometimes even contracts), alongside ID checks and rating systems to help protect homeowners from hiring bad applicants.
The homeowner will leave a list of requirements and expectations, and the house sitter merely has to turn up and fulfill them.
The homeowner usually welcomes the housesitter upon arrival, before their own departure. But it’s not unusual for them to leave the keys with a trusted friend or neighbor.
How to find house-sitting jobs online
Sign up to a house-sitting platform
The vast majority of house-sitting work can be found online. Homeowners want a platform that provides reviews, ratings, and terms and conditions. It makes everyone’s life easier.
Select a house-sitting site (reviewed below) and sign up. You can browse through job opportunities and even get requested directly to house sit. On many sites, you’ll need to pay a membership fee, but it’s worth it to cut through the scammers and timewasters.
Present yourself as the right kind of person
If you want to get accepted frequently, you’ll need to look your best - starting with a friendly and clear profile picture.
Make sure you present yourself as calm and clean. While some homeowners may allow you to smoke, for example, it might not be something you want to brag about on your profile.
But if you love animals, then do brag about it! Let the world know you grew up with a dog or have experience taking out kitty litter.
You also need to show that you can fulfill the homeowner's requirements, so state that you’re an organized person familiar with chores and home security.
Above all, be a good communicator. It will remove any doubts the homeowner may have. Introduce yourself and be upfront about your intentions (whether it’s being a tourist or working remotely).
Build a resume and profile
Eugh, resumés. Who likes them? Homeowners, that’s who!
Just like landing a job, your resume will be used to showcase your qualities and personality.
Competition is fierce, so put together a resume that makes you shine. Include a snapshot of your working experience, house-sitting experience, pet experience, and hobbies (many owners like the idea of welcoming someone with an interesting personality).
If you’ve got any extra specialties then don’t be afraid to brag. For example, if you’re a vet, cleaner, DIY boss, or gardener, you can offer your expertise to stand out. Pet experience is particularly crucial, as so many house-sitting gigs revolve around pet care.
Collect references
51% of homeowners will only hire people with references.
If you’re just starting then naturally you won’t have many references to rely on. But, you can still reach out to friends, family, old Airbnb hosts, and even landlords.
Having some compliments about how you looked after their homes is better than nothing, even if it’s not coming from actual house-sitting site users.
On some sites, like TrustedHouseSitters, you can request references via email to people who aren’t already on the site. So, go get those five stars!
Search for house-sitting jobs
Once you’ve perfected your profile, signed up to a trusted house-sitting site, and plotted your ideal travel route, it’s time to start job hunting.
Start browsing your chosen platform to find the latest house-sitting jobs and add your favorites to your shortlist. Then, you can go through and apply.
Apply
You’ll want to apply to a new listing fast, to get in ahead of the competition. Most sites allow for a personalized application message, so ensure you’re not just copying and pasting, as that will look inauthentic.
Introduce yourself and refer to the owner’s name (and their pet’s) to show you’ve taken a personal interest. You can even mention why you’re keen to visit the area, such as for local parks, restaurants, or attractions, or that you love their dog breed.
Once again, remember to highlight your stand-out skills. And don’t be afraid to show off your quirks and hobbies. You never know what will spark a conversation and it all adds to the authentic, trusted image. For example, if you love playing guitar or cooking paella, well maybe they do too and they’ll hit it off with you.
Complete one last proofread to show you care. And oh, don’t turn to ChatGPT for writing! Who wants to welcome a robot?
Reply quickly
Most homeowners want to get their house-sitting plans sorted ASAP. Turn on your notifications so you can reply quickly to any messages. It’ll help you get ahead of any other house sitters they’re considering.
If you haven’t had a prompt reply after two days of sending your application, you can also send them a polite follow-up. It’ll prove how motivated you are.
The interview
If you’ve got this far, then hopefully you’ve been invited to do an interview video call.
Preparation is key here. Make some notes about their name, location, and pet names so that you don’t accidentally call them by the name of someone else.
Then remember to be polite, honest, and motivated. Honesty wins. It shows that you’ve got nothing to hide and that you can be trusted. From your hobbies and skills to past experiences, don’t hold back.
Make a list of important questions to ask too. It’ll show you care. For example:
- “What should I do if your pet gets sick?”
- “Do you have a home security system, and if so how do we use it?”
- “Do I need to organize your mail?”
- “Do you have any other concerns?”
Logistics time
If you’ve landed the house-sitting job, then it’s time to work out the logistics.
Ensure the times and dates of your arrival and departure are clearly defined. And arrange travel to and from the home and ensure you’ve got a clear understanding of how you’ll get the keys.
Ideally, share your details with your homesitting host so they can feel relaxed and help you out if anything goes wrong.
Time to shine
It’s time to shine - leave the house in a better condition than you found it and fulfill all the objectives, as requested.
Why? Because it’s all about leaving a great impression, to get the all-important 5-star review to help you in future house-sitting applications.
Always leave on good terms, with a handshake and an appreciation for being able to stay in the home.
Top house-sitting websites
TrustedHouseSitters.com
TrustedHouseSitters is the go-to house-sitting site. Having launched in 2010, there are over 225,000 members from all corners of the world.
As the name suggests, Trust House Sitters is focused on safety and security. Before going live, house sitters are required to provide ID; and US members must provide a US-registered billing address and receive a criminal background check.
The site boasts a strong community, which is great for chatting with other house sitters or even the professional TrustedHouseSitters team.
You’ll need to pay a membership fee to get started, but considering the increase in experience quality, it’s worth it. From our research, it is clearly the platform to use - and this is not a paid endorsement.
- Price: $129 to $259 per year
- Minimum age: 21 years old
- ID check: Yes
- Trustpilot rating: 4.5*
Nomador
Once a specifically French house-sitting site, Nomador has since gone global but still retains a French focus. So if you’re a French speaker who wants to explore the country, it’s a great option.
Boasting a modern design, identity proof and a membership fee are required (but at a lower price than TrustedHouseSitters). The highest tier allows you to gain early access (by 24 hours) to house-sitting listings.
Nomarod also has a unique ‘Stopover’ feature, which allows house sitters to find homes to fill for a brief period when bouncing between different house sits.
- Price: $79 to $179 per year
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- ID check: Yes
- Trustpilot rating: 4.8*
House Carers
Australian-based House Carers has been in business since 2000. It’s got a great reputation and a long-standing user base from all over the world.
With a free trial, it's a no-brainer to try out. However, you won’t be able to contact homeowners until you pay.
The review and endorsement system is very practical and even allows housesitters to send references directly so they can be stored in homeowner libraries.
An ID check is once again required, and if you pay for the small bonus $25 membership fee, you’ll get a verified badge on your profile.
- Price: $50 to $75 per year
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- ID check: Yes
- Trustpilot rating: 3.8*
Mindahome
Launched in 2008, Mindahome is a house-sitting platform with country-specific sites in Australia and the UK.
Thousands of users have trusted the site since its refresh back in 2016, and it still has a primary focus on Australian house sitting.
Membership to apply for house sittings is $69 per year, with unlimited application requests, the ability to contact homeowners directly, and a free Guide to House Sitting ebook.
- Price: $69
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- ID check: Yes and mandatory background check
- Reviews.io rating: 4.9*
Housesit Match
With a strong UK and Australia focus, Housesit Match is a global house-sitting platform on the smaller side, which offers a higher chance of landing a house sitting but with less frequent listings.
You can make your life easier with the premium subscription, which allows for photo and video uploads to stand out. There’s also a chat facility and a resource base to guide you as a beginner house sitter.
From what we’ve read, Housesit Match is a good fit for traveling families.
- Price: $87 to $113 per year
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- ID check: Yes
- Trustpilot rating: 4.9*
MindMyHouse
Launched back in 2005 and now bursting with users, MindMyHouse is a UK-founded house-sitting site that is on the cheaper side at just $29 per year.
However, at a cheaper cost comes the increase of time wasters and non-serious members. But, we’ve included it as it’s an affordable option for those starting on a small budget.
- Price: $29 per year
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- ID check: No
- Trustpilot rating: 4.2*
House Sitters America
House Sitters America has a bunch of country-specific sites for house and pet sitting. The exclusivity of each country makes it easier to find homes in your desired location.
To apply and find a home, you’ll need to pay a membership, fee but you can actually even charge a fee for your house-sitting service (though most people don’t).
Currently, House Sitters America is available in the US, UK, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia.
- Price: $49 per year
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- ID check: Option for verification
- Feefo rating: 5*
Facebook Groups
You can also find house-sitting gigs through Facebook Groups, with relevant names like “House and Pet Shares in Mexico”. But take great care when using non-vetted groups like these, as there aren’t any safety precautions.
It’s kind of crazy to stay at someone’s house without any ID checks or review system to reassure you.
House-sitting job responsibilities
Pet sitting
Most people look for a home sitter because they need someone to take care of their pets when they’re gone. Many people simply can’t bring their pets with them, and a pet sitter removes the costly expenses of taking their pet to a pet hotel.
Dogs need walking, so you’ll need to be keen on going on a daily walk and maybe even playing with the dog at a park or beach. Cats require less input and instead, the task is more focused on security - such as not letting the cat out at all or ensuring the cat flap is working fine.
Regardless of the animal, you’ll be expected to replace its food and water bowls and litter.
Most importantly though, you’ll need to give the cute guys some love and attention. You’ll also need to be alert to any emergencies, and if they arise, take the pet to a vet.
House care
It goes without saying that you should keep your temporary home clean and tidy. But many people will have small requests such as turning on dehumidifiers, opening windows, or clearing up pet hair daily.
Gardening
Yard care is another common request, particularly for wealthy folks with green lawns and plenty of flowers. Tasks may vary from simply turning on the sprinklers to going manually around the yard watering flowers and sweeping away leaves.
Security
All house-sitting jobs offer the homeowner the benefit of added security. You may be responsible for ensuring the property is safe at night, by turning on external lights and giving a general sense that it's inhabited. You may also need to manage home security systems.
Finally, another common request homesitters face is to take care of mail. That means preventing an overflowing mailbox, redirecting certain mail, and being present to collect packages.
Can you make money as a house sitter?
Some house-sitting platforms allow you to charge a fee to house-sit. This is typically a small fee of no more than $50 to $100 per day.
In the vast majority of cases, you won’t get paid. Instead, you’re getting free accommodation in exchange for taking care of the house and/or pet. Naturally, this can make life difficult for some people who need to make money while traveling.
Online jobs you can do while house sitting
Many people like to remote work while house-sitting, to make the digital nomad life a possibility. Here are some online jobs you could consider:
Sell digital products
If you can create a digital product, you can sell it too - giving you the chance to make passive income.
Ebooks, courses, templates, software, and digital art are all great options and make up 3% of US consumer spending. All you need to do is create it and then market it.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, then use Whop to sell and create a community or subscription business for your product. Your whop will take care of everything, from a storefront and support to forums and payment processing.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is perfect for anyone with a strong talent in marketing. You take a pre-existing product and sell it as if it were your own. So, you don’t need to pay for manufacturing and delivery.
If, for example, you sold a necklace for $150 and it cost you $50 to acquire, you’d make a profit margin of $100 per product.
Whop is stacked with resources on how to get started as a dropshipper.
Travel blogger
Why not document your nomadic lifestyle via blogging? It can be a great way to store your memories but also create monetization opportunities via ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsorship.
You might even be able to use it to help you get a house-sitting application accepted, as it will prove you’re legit.
Travel vlogger
If writing isn’t your thing, then make a video series out of it. There are thousands of traveling YouTube channels out there, but maybe there isn’t one that is uniquely you.
The reward, like blogging, can be ad revenue and paid sponsorships. Create a following and people might even donate or join a paid community on Whop!
Sell courses
Selling courses means passive income. All you need is a laptop, microphone, and an internet connection, so you can do it while house sitting. This is a great opportunity if you’ve got expertise or teaching experience in any subject.
You can even take things one step further by using Whop to create a paid community with one-on-one coaching and exclusive digital products or content.
Web developer
A web developer is one of those jobs where all you need is an internet connection, skills, and a laptop. You usually get to work on your own hours, so you can fit it in around your house-sitting duties.
If you’ve got an understanding of HTML, CSS, and Javascript, web development is worth considering, as it can be highly lucrative. You’ll find jobs on sites like Whop, Upwork, Fiverr, Contra, and Linkedin.
Freelance writer
I know firsthand how flexible being a freelance writer can be. I’ve worked all over, from my own sofa to trains to house-sitting gigs.
While deadlines can be tight, you just need a laptop and an internet connection to get the job done on time. The industry is vast too, with copywriting, content writing, technical writing, creative writing, and UX writing all on offer.
The hard side is finding the gigs - Upwork, Fiverr, Linkedin, and cold-emailing are your best bets.
Mobile app developer
If you’re a software engineer, then creating a mobile app can also bring you passive income to fund your house-sitting dreams. You’ll be in control and just need a laptop and a strong understanding of coding.
You can sell your work on Whop. In fact, Whop was founded to help sell a mobile app with a paid community alongside it!
Virtual assistant
Virtual assistants are required to be available for whatever’s thrown at them. But they can work from wherever they want, often with just a cell phone.
If you’re good at organizing schedules, answering calls and emails, and dealing with admin, then it’s worth considering.
You can find virtual assistant jobs on sites such as Wing Assistant, Prialto, and Fancy Hands.
Photographer
Did you know that you can make money selling your photography? Sites like Shutterstock, Getty Images, iStock, and Adobe Stock allow you to upload your work and make commissions on every purchase.
You can get a wide variety of great shots by house-sitting, unlocking new territories that are off the beaten path which can then be used by journalists, bloggers, and publications.
Social media manager
5.7 billion people use social media. Everyone you know and their dog is on it. With such an audience, businesses of all sizes need to hire social media managers. If you’ve got a good understanding of marketing, viral content, and data, then you can help boost your client’s online presence.
Best of all, you just need a cell phone. So even if you’re house sitting in Jamaica, you can work.
You can find social media jobs on LinkedIn, Upwork, Fiverr, Contra, and Hubstaff Talent.
If you need help getting started, then check out the social media communities on Whop. There’s some serious talent on there, sharing their expertise to viral success.
Make money while house sitting with Whop
If you want to make money while house sitting anywhere in the world, consider routes to passive (or close to passive) income.
Digital products, courses, subscriptions, and paid communities all offer ways to make money without needing to work on a clock like a regular job.
Whop is the perfect place to get started. You could market your services, such as freelancing or social media management, or sell downloadables like software or stock photos. Turn your house-sitting travels into a blog, or create a community of like-minded members to share tips and tricks on traveling and finding new gigs.
You don't need any technical skills to start with Whop either. The all-in-one platform takes care of payment processing, product fulfillment, and customer service. It’s also stacked with entrepreneurial advice and gurus who can advise you on how to monetize your skills best.
Simply head to the home page now to get started on building your digital empire.
FAQs about house sitting
What security concerns are there for house sitting?
The best house-sitting sites, like TrustedHouseSitters, provide background and ID checks through third-party companies for the homeowner and the house sitter. This will prevent you from signing up to stay in a sketchy house, with a sketchy homeowner.
But also take care to read reviews. As with anything online, that’s a great way to determine who is sus and who is proven to be a great person.
How do you get your first house-sitting gig?
The first one is the hardest, as you don’t have any reviews yet. The best trick is to create a very presentable profile (as covered in the steps above) and request reviews from people you may have helped out - such as that neighbor you dog sat for one weekend.
Can you house sit as a couple?
Yes! Just make a joint profile and include both of you in the photos, while describing your jobs, hobbies, skills, and interests. Many homeowners are actually keen to hire couples, as it means there’s an extra pair of hands around to help out with house and pet care.
How long does each house sit usually last?
House sit durations can vary from one night to multiple months. What you apply for is totally up to you and your lifestyle.
What are some common demographics for a house sitter?
- 73.5% of house sitters are women.
- 26.5% are men.
- The average age of a house sitter is 42 years old.
- 43% of house sitters do it part-time.
- 23% travel full-time.
