How to Become a House Sitter in 9 Easy Steps in 20259 min read

If you want to know how to become a house sitter, look no further. In this article, we’ll tell you all the steps you need to take to go from square one to your first house sit in nine easy steps. Let’s go!

How to Become a House Sitter

1. Join a House Sitting Website

To more easily navigate the vast landscape of house sitting opportunities out there, you can join one of the dedicated house sitting platforms.

Some platforms, like Trusted Housesitters, have house sitting opportunities available all over the world. Other platforms, like House Sitters UK, Aussie House Sitters, and House Sitters America, focus on house sits in specific countries.

We recommend Trusted Housesitters because they have the largest database of house sits (more than all of the other platforms combined). We’ve been members of Trusted Housesitters since 2019 and have had great success. So far we’ve done 15 house sits in 10 different countries across four continents through Trusted Housesitters!

All of the house sitting platforms exist to connect homeowners with potential house sitters. These websites offer a diverse range of listings, from urban apartments to rural retreats that can last from one night to several months.

After joining a platform, you create a profile specifying your preferences and availability to enhance your visibility on the website.

Why Do People Need House Sitters?

Homeowners opt to use house sitters for many reasons. For one, homeowners appreciate the peace of mind of having a housesitter knowing their home and animals are being looked after while they are away. Having someone in the house to collect the mail, water the plants, and take care of other necessary chores is very helpful. 

Pets appreciate being able to stay in their home with a caring pet sitter to look after them, rather than staying in a boarding facility. Plus pet owners save LOTS of money not having to board their animals during their trip or hire a professional pet sitter.

It’s important to note that in the majority of cases, you will NOT be getting paid for house sitting. There are some platforms where house sitters can get paid, but on most platforms, house sitting is done as an exchange.

The house sitters stay in the homeowner’s home, and in exchange, they get to live rent-free and look after the pets as well as any other agreed-upon responsibilities.

2. Create a Standout Profile

Your house sitting journey begins with creating an attention-grabbing profile. Think of it as your digital resume, showcasing your reliability, responsibility, and genuine passion for house sitting. Include relevant details like your experience with house or pet care, what animals you’ve had as pets, and any other special information that will help you stand out.

Don’t forget to upload friendly photos that show you with pets and doing activities you enjoy. Homeowners want to know they can trust you with their space and your profile is the best way to make a great first impression.

Homeowners also set up profiles with information about their home and pet(s). When homeowners are in need of house sitters they list their dates on house sitting websites along with the types of responsibilities involved with the sit.

3. Build Your References

Just starting out? No worries! Gather references from friends, family, or colleagues who can vouch for your trustworthiness and responsibility. As you complete more house sits, make sure to ask homeowners for references and reviews to build a solid portfolio.

Positive references are like gold in the house-sitting community and can significantly boost your chances of landing desirable assignments.

Trusted Housesitters makes the process of asking for character references when you’re just starting out very simple, they even walk you through the process as you set up your profile. This is one of the most important steps in becoming a house sitter, so don’t forget it!

4. Start looking for House Sits!

Now for the fun part! Once your profile is ready and raring to go, you can start searching for house sits! It’s really fun to just scroll through all of the available house sits in the world and see where you could possibly go.

You can narrow your search to a specific part of the world, set a date range, what pets you want to sit, and many other ways to find the perfect house sit for you.

Of course, only apply for the house sits that make sense for your schedule and abilities, but don’t let reality stop you from searching all over the world!

Once you find a house sit with the right location, the right dates, and the types of animals you are comfortable caring for, apply right away! And to apply, you need to…

5. Craft a Compelling Application

Each house sitting opportunity is unique, so tailor your applications accordingly. Showcase your suitability for a specific assignment by emphasizing relevant experience, your love for pets, and your commitment to maintaining a home.

Personalize your application to stand out from the crowd and reassure homeowners that their property and beloved pets are in capable hands.

When you find a house sit that you want to apply for, make sure you read through the homeowner’s profile thoroughly. Then send them a message with a bit of information about yourself and why you are interested in house sitting for them.

You should suggest getting on a call in your opening message to the homeowner so you can get to know each other better and make sure it’s a good fit for both of you.

What to Say on the Call

If the homeowner is interested in you, then you can coordinate a call with them (through Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, etc.) and chat for 30 minutes to an hour. The homeowner will usually give you a brief tour of their home and introduce the pets.

It is important to come to an understanding with the homeowners on what they expect from you during your time there. These are conversations you should have on your call BEFORE you agree to the sit.

Some example questions to ask: What is [pet’s name] schedule? We would like to explore the city a bit while we are there. What is an okay amount of time to be away from [pet’s name]? Are there any household chores that need to be taken care of? Here are more questions we suggest you ask on your call!

Be open and clear with your communication upfront and ask any questions you have. There are NO stupid questions!

6. Be Flexible and Open-Minded

Flexibility is key to unlocking a myriad of house sitting opportunities. Be open to various locations, durations, and types of homes. You are at the mercy of when and where house sits are available, so you’ll likely have to be flexible with your dates and destinations.

The more flexible you are, the broader your range of potential assignments. House sitting isn’t just about finding a free place to stay; it’s about embracing diverse experiences and lifestyles.

House sitting is not the same as going on vacation. You are responsible for the home and the animals while the homeowner is away. Those need to be your top priority during your house sit.

7. Communication is Key

Clear and timely communication is crucial in the house-sitting world. Respond promptly to messages from homeowners, and be transparent about your expectations and limitations. Establishing open communication sets the foundation for a positive house-sitting experience for both parties.

We usually keep in touch with the homeowner leading up to the sit on WhatsApp or by email in case any questions pop up before we arrive. We also usually coordinate arriving at the house with the homeowner, as sometimes they will come to pick us up at the bus or train station.

Remember, this is an exchange and you’re being entrusted with a big responsibility of caring for someone’s home and pet family member, so be sure to let them know whether you’re up for doing the things they need.

8. Start Locally and Expand

If you’re new to house sitting, consider starting locally to build your profile and references. As you gain experience and positive feedback, gradually expand your horizons to encompass national and international opportunities.

Local house sits can serve as valuable stepping stones to more adventurous house-sitting experiences.

Always make sure to get reviews after every house sit. Just like every other service, good reviews are worth their weight in gold. Or at least their weight in rent-free housing.

9. Start House Sitting!

After you’ve agreed to the house sit, made your travel arrangements, and packed up, you did it! You’ve become a house sitter! Get ready for a life of new adventures, beautiful homes, and furry friends!

And there you have it! Once you’ve completed these steps you can start on your house sitting journey! If you want to know more (or even everything) check out our ultimate guide to house sitting!

Check out the house sitting platform we use and get 25% off your annual membership.