In this article, I have scoured the forums of the top house sitting websites and will answer everything you need to know about house sitting. To many, it still seems an outlandish endeavor to travel by caring for other people’s homes and pets. I’m here to answer your questions and concerns from my years of experience.
We have converted lots of friends and family to the idea of house sitting. Many have only become aware that such a thing exists through mine and Hannah’s global exploration over the past 3 years. In that time we’ve racked up over 30 house sits in countries around the world.
Understandably, newcomers to this style of traveling will have concerns, I know we definitely did! So, let’s get started with everything you need to know about house sitting, and answer the top FAQs.
“Do you get paid to be a house sitter?”
This is one of the top questions that crops up across the top house sitting websites. No, we do not get paid to be house sitters. House sitting is a mutually beneficial exchange between a homeowner/host and a sitter without any financial exchange.
The benefit comes in the form of comfortable, homely, and free accommodation for the sitter. Homeowners, in turn, host a reliable trusted person to watch over their home and often pets. This saves them a significant amount of money in kennel fees and adds a greater level of home security.
While house sitting for payment sites exist, they are limited to a couple of the smaller platforms. As an international house sitter, accepting payment for house sitting can present serious visa complications. I will discuss this in greater detail in later.
“Is it expensive to sign up as a house sitter/host?”
No, it is not expensive to sign up as a house sitter, but there are some costs involved. The top house sitting website on the market is Trusted Housesitters with thousands of active global listings. For sitters, the basic membership is $129/year, and for hosts, it’s $149/year.
Other websites have cheaper annual rates, such as Mind My House which is only $29. House Sitters America (UK/Australia/Canada/New Zealand) – offers free membership for homeowners and charges sitters $49/year.
Overall, the opportunities are far greater on Trusted Housesitters and the annual fee is worth every penny. There are also tons of added benefits that serious house sitters should consider. For more info, read my previous article – Everything You Need to Know About Trusted Housesitters.
“Is it easy to get started as a house sitter?”
Yes, it is easy to get started as a house sitter. Trusted Housesitters lets you sign up for free using just your email address to explore the thousands of opportunities available. Homeowners get free access to see how the site works too, and can view thousands of potential sitters.
All the major house sitting platforms have a profile for you to load with information, photos, and experience. Navigating house sitting websites is easy. Trusted Housesitters even has an app that you can set to alert you when house sits matching your dates and requirements come online.
Our dedicated House Sitting Advice page is full of great information to help budding house sitters. Read articles like – How to Become a Successful House Sitter. Hosts, we’ve got you covered too. Head to our Hosts Advice page to find all the info you need.
“Have you had any bad experiences house sitting?”
For the most part, we have had exceptional exchanges that have surpassed our expectations. However, yes, we have had a couple of negative experiences while house sitting. I can only pinpoint 2 or 3 occasions though in 3 years of international house sitting and 30+ completed sits.
For us, this has come in the form of a home that is not as advertised or shown on the listing in a completely different light. Or where the situation has changed and we have not been informed about it – for example arriving to be told ‘Oh by the way, someone else is staying at the house with you!’.
Some of our former hosts and now friends with whom I speak often have reported some bad experiences with house sitters. Again these are rare exceptions to what is an otherwise solid review-based, mutually beneficial system.
“What happens if something goes wrong?”
Continuing from the previous questions, house sitting is not a fool-proof system, things can and will go wrong, especially if you plan to house sit long term. For the most part, these are small insignificant issues that form great stories and travel memories. Just read my Short Tails about Bella the Very Angry Cat.
Problems are usually easily fixed, and hosts often leave informative house and pet guides to see you through any issues. A great benefit to using a site like Trusted Housesitters is the customer support and 24/7 emergency vet line. If you have concerns and can’t get hold of the owner, you always have someone to call.
Communication is key so if there are aspects of the home or the house sitter that are causing you concern, address them as early as you can. You should do this by speaking to the sitter/host in a polite and respectful manner, and include a membership team member from your house sitting platform if required.
“Do you get time to enjoy the area while you are house sitting?”
Yes, you can enjoy and get to know the areas you’re house sitting in. Exploring new areas is the reason we use house sitting to travel! Listings specify how long pets can be left, usually 4-8 hours. Well-behaved pets often join us on outings.
Troublesome pets are openly advertised, as obviously lying about the level of care involved benefits no one. So be sure to read the listings carefully so you are fully aware of what you are applying for. If you have any doubts, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Most hosts include lots of local information in their welcome guide. This is a great way to garner insider information about a new destination, especially if it’s not a big city with information available online. Click here for everything you need to know about creating the perfect house sitting welcome guide.
“Is house sitting legal and allowed with tourist visas?”
Yes, house sitting is allowed on most international tourist visas. Trusted Housesitters has even produced a document to present to border guards in the unlikely event that you are pulled up with questions about the purpose of your visit.
This document focuses specifically on the big 3 house sitting countries – The USA, the UK, and Australia. Through meetings with high-ranking legal professionals and District Attorneys of these countries, it was concluded that house sitting internationally breaks no visa laws or restrictions.
The fact that there is no financial exchange between homeowners and sitters plays a big part in house sitting not violating the rules of any visa. So, be very cautious when considering any house sitting job outside of your own country that involves ANY form of payment.
Further Info – Important Things to Know About House Sitting Internationally
I find crossing international borders to be quite an intense experience, especially in the USA. I’ve no idea why, as I know I haven’t done anything wrong. I guess it’s the fact that I am so excited to be visiting and am aware that border guards have the power to send you straight back home.
With this in mind, it’s wise to keep things simple when entering a country that is not your own. Know your house sitting host’s details and have them to hand, have a return ticket booked (be warned America has strict rules about onward travel), and have enough money to sustain yourself during the stay.
Unless directly asked, don’t mention that you’re coming to house sit. That is a surefire way to raise many questions and find yourself in a secondary inspection room clearing things up. If you get a mean border guard on a bad day, who knows how they will react, so just be smart about it.
“Where do house sitters and hosts stand from an insurance POV”
House sitters and homeowners are covered by various insurance policies when they sign up for a standard or premium membership with Trusted Housesitters. Basic membership does not include insurance. However, most home insurance policies allow someone else to temporarily care for your home.
With a standard membership, homeowners are covered against property damage, theft, and public liability to the tune of $1 million (USD) above their current home insurance. Furthermore, the premium membership covers up to $1500 compensation in the unlikely event a sitter cancels and costs are incurred.
Similarly, for house sitters the standard membership includes $1 million for accidental injury and third-party liability. Additionally, the premium option includes $150 per night/$1500 per trip in compensation if a sit is cancelled.
“Do I need any experience to be a house sitter?”
No, I don’t believe experience as a house sitter is necessary to get started. However, being a responsible person, who is clean and tidy, and respectful of another person’s property are key attributes house sitters should possess to be successful.
If you have never looked after pets, I highly recommend starting with house sits with easy-to-manage animals. Hannah and I began our house sitting career taking care of 2 house rabbits, close to our home. It was an easy gig and we bagged our first 5-star review.
There are different things to learn with every house and pet sit, and your experience will develop the more you do it. But, you have to get started somewhere, and when experience is lacking, emphasize the other top traits hosts look for in a great house sitter.
“Does house sitting always involve pets?”
No, house sitting doesn’t always include pets, but in a large number of listings, pets are part of the deal. A large swathe of these are cats and dogs, but I often see sits for birds, fish, lizards, and rabbits – Hannah and I have now done 3 rabbit sits!
Dogs are certainly more time-consuming, they need walking and often can’t be left alone for more than 4-8 hours, depending on the dog. Cats are generally more self sufficient, especially if they have a cat flap and can go exploring all day and night. We’ve had a couple of very straightforward cat-sits.
All of this information will be evident during the application process. The pet’s routines and behaviours, plus all daily responsibilities will be made abundantly clear. If you have any concerns or questions, always ask before confirming a house sit.
“Once I sign up are there any further costs?”
No, once you sign up for a house sitting membership there are no further costs. House sitters can apply for and take on as many house sits within their membership cycle as they like. Homeowners can list their homes for 365 days a year if they so wish.
A site like Trusted Housesitters is great at providing you with lots of clear information upfront. Before you even apply, you’ll have everything you need to know about a potential house sitting exchange. There are no hidden fees, optional extras (aside from the 3 membership tiers), or in-app purchases, ever.
Ready to Get Started as a House Sitter?
By addressing these house sitting FAQs I hope I’ve cleared up some of the mystery around the process. If you still need some more time, sign up for a free Trusted Housesitters account and start having a look around the platform. Click here to sign up for free.
To apply for a house sit, or to put your home and pet listing live, you will need to become a paying member. Memberships start at $129/year but use our referral code BEACHES25 at checkout to save 25% on any membership option, click here to sign up.
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