What is house sitting and how to get a 5-star review!

House sitting around the world in free accommodation sounds too good to be true but it is entirely possible! So what is house sitting? Well essentially, you look after someone’s house and most likely pets as well while they are away in exchange for free rent for house sitting. There are house sitters wanted all over the world so apply to one of the best housesitting websites and get started!

What is house sitting?

On the face of it, you are simply house sitting for free rent. Sometimes, people simply like to have their house sat if they are away for a long time. Although, most often, you will be pet sitting. Whatever the job, you simply follow the owner’s guidance throughout your stay.

On sites such as Trusted Housesitters, they ask the owner to provide a home/pet manual, so this is basically your guidebook to follow.

The basic requirements are –

• Turn up on the agreed date and time
• Feed the pet/pets
• Give them some exercise, often sits say no walk is needed as they have such large grounds
• Keep the house clean as you go along so that there is no stress at the end.
• Put the bins out
• Put mail where required
• Enjoy your stay and relax with your new furry friends!

If housesitting sounds like a great opportunity to you then sign up to my email list and I’ll send you a 25% discount code for Trusted House Sitters!

Is it worth the responsibility?

You must remember that you are responsible for another person’s home and most often their beloved pets. Just as things go wrong in your own home or travels, things can go wrong while house sitting too so it is quite a responsibility.

But YES, of course, it is entirely worth it for the free accommodation! I mean, how does an Australian house sitting experience sound? Nab yourself a job house sitting in Sydney! I’ve just had a look at what’s available on Trusted Housesitters and there are some super sweet Ozzie sits available! Whether you want to do housesitting in Canberra or house sitting in Perth, there are often plenty available. We just need the borders to hopefully reopen again! I will be house sitting in Europe next month. 6 weeks in Lille!

What if something does go wrong?

There will be information in the guidebook on who to call. For example, the pet gets ill then there will be vet information. Or maybe the electricity stops working, there will be guidance on all things like this. Quite often, the house owners give you their family or friends numbers of those who live nearby to call so all will be perfectly fine.

Who is house sitting for?

House sitting is for all types of travellers as there are all lengths of sits from overnight stays to long term house sitting jobs. Most involve pet sitting so being an animal lover will make your membership more worthwhile. You don’t have to absolutely adore animals though. Some sits such as one I recently had only involve putting food out for the pet so they don’t always require you to be intensely involved with the animal. However, you should at least like animals of course!

If you are a true animal lover, then house sitting is perfect for you! You have free accommodation often with a garden and a furry friend to watch tv with!

Can I get paid house sitting jobs?

Yes you can but only certain sites do this and it is harder to be accepted for those jobs as it will involve a more formal process. You will essentially be a ‘professional house sitter’ so experience would be preferred.

Don’t expect payment for a house sit on ‘non-paying’ house sit sites. If you are offered payment then I’m not sure what is supposed to happen here, I suppose the site wouldn’t know you had accepted the money. I think it would be up to you whether to take it or not.

How to get a five star review!

• Message the owner throughout your stay. Every day for short stays and perhaps less often for the longer the sit is.
• Send the owners photo updates and little videos if it is a pet sit
• Either bring a little gift for the owners or buy them one to see upon their return. Flowers are a nice touch!
• Make sure the house is spotless.

It isn’t rocket science, just follow any rules, clean the place and look after the furry babies!