House-sitting is a budget-friendly way to travel, offering free accommodation in exchange for caring for homes and pets through platforms like TrustedHousesitters.
If you’re wondering if TrustedHousesitters is legit, worth the membership fee or how it all works, this is my honest, detailed review based on my experience using the platform full-time since 2023. This will be especially useful for budget-conscious travellers, solo female travellers, remote workers and pet lovers who want a slower, more immersive and more affordable way to travel.
This post is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by TrustedHousesitters. All opinions expressed are solely my own. This post contains a referral code for TrustedHousesitters. If you choose to use this link, I may receive benefits or incentives at no additional cost to you.
What is house-sitting?
House-sitting is a unique arrangement where you stay in someone’s home while they’re away, taking care of their property and, often, their pets. It’s a win-win situation: homeowners get peace of mind knowing their home and furry friends are well cared for, while you, the house-sitter, enjoy free accommodation and the chance to live like a local in new places.
Why become a house-sitter?
House-sitting offers a range of benefits that make it an appealing choice for many people. And it doesn’t have to be a full-time lifestyle, as it is for me. Use it to explore your own country, travel more on a budget or spend time with pets if you can’t have any of your own. Here are a few more perks:
Wander off the beaten path
TrustedHousesitters operates in over 180 countries and offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in local living. Venture off the tourist trail and into the nooks and crannies of the world you never knew existed – who knows what you might discover.
Enjoy travelling slowly
Travelling can be stressful. I’m in my late thirties and already the thrill of dashing from city to city, luggage in tow, no longer holds the same appeal. Opting for long-term house sits allows me to enjoy a city at my own pace. To travel slowly, unpack, do a big grocery shop and just enjoy being at home, even if it’s not my own.
Company of cute pets
Working remotely would have been an entirely different experience if I’d not been house-sitting and bouncing my ideas off a furry friend. I’ve cared for curious cats, wrestled with playful puppies and even bathed a tortoise. There’s no doubt about it, if you’re not an animal lover, do not apply.
A more responsible way to travel
House-sitting can be a responsible way to travel for a few reasons: you’ll minimise energy usage compared to hotels, you’ll help preserve local culture by staying in residential areas rather than tourist-heavy zones and you’ll likely stay longer, cutting down on frequent flights. Additionally, it promotes waste reduction through home-cooked meals and local recycling practices.
Budget-friendly travel
In the words of TrustedHousesitters, “pet sitting is to make memories, not money.” House-sitting is not a job, there is no money exchanged between the homeowner and the sitter. But, because you won’t be paying for rent or bills, it’s a fantastic way to explore the world for free and rarely worry about accommodation costs.
How does TrustedHousesitters work?
There are several different house-sitting websites, but I’ve only ever used TrustedHousesitters. I don’t own my own home, therefore I’ve only experienced the platform as a ‘sitter’, so let me walk you through that side of the process. I’ve written a free house-sitting guide to answer common questions for both homeowners and sitters.
Purchase a TrustedHousesitters membership
TrustedHousesitters is a platform for both homeowners and sitters and each must purchase an annual membership (more on that below). There are three tiers to choose from, and you can also get a combined sitter and owner membership if you plan to do both. As a sitter, you’ll also need to go through their ID verification process.
Create your house-sitting profile
Crafting a high-quality TrustedHousesitters profile requires time and attention. Remember, you’re essentially a stranger moving into someone’s home. Highlight your responsible, reliable and pet-loving side without forgetting to add any special skills that may be relevant. For example, on my profile, I talk about my superyacht stewardess experience to assure homeowners of my tidy habits.
Gather references
As a new sitter with no reviews, TrustedHousesitters allow you to gather some external references to help build trust with homeowners. Consider asking your boss, former landlord or anyone who can vouch for your trustworthiness to write a positive review for your profile.
Find your perfect house sit
Once your profile is set up, you’re ready to start applying to house sits. Filter your search by dates, location, duration, pet type, or even nearby attractions like the beach or a city centre. I recommend getting the Standard or Premium plan which allows you to set up a saved search alert, so you’re notified when a sit that matches your preferences goes live. For example, I get notified for cat sits that are for 2+ weeks in any location. I can’t imagine trying to plan house sits without this feature – I love it!
Write your application
Once you’ve found your dream sit, it’s time to send an application, but be quick! Applications close after around five submissions for the homeowner to review. Your application message should ultimately answer one question: how will you ensure the owner has a worry-free trip? Personalise it by mentioning their pet(s) and anything specific they’ve noted. For example, if their cat needs daily medication, share your relevant experience. Don’t talk about how you’d love to visit the area – this isn’t important to the host. Be proactive and suggest a video call so you can both meet, ask any questions and decide if you’d be a good fit.
Start your house-sitting adventure
You’ll be notified either way as the homeowner will confirm or decline your application. If selected, you might receive an in-app welcome pack detailing everything you need to know about your temporary home and furry companion. Alternatively, some homeowners leave a printed version ready for your arrival. Stay available for questions, keep owners updated on your plans and, most importantly, enjoy the experience!
Leave a review
After each sit, both the sitter and the homeowner can leave a review. The more five-star reviews you collect, the easier it will become to be chosen in the future. I recommend being honest, but fair. Remember this isn’t a hotel or Airbnb, you’re staying in a living, breathing house – a little dust on the shelves is normal and nothing to complain about.
How much does TrustedHousesitters cost?
House-sitting is not an entirely free way to travel because both the homeowner and the sitter need an annual membership to access the platform. At the time of writing, sitter-only membership range from around £99 – £199 per year, depending on which tier you choose. But you can save even more by using my referral code for 25% off your first year here.
In late 2025, TrustedHousesitters introduced a booking fee of £9/$12 per confirmed sit for both sitters and homeowners, charged on Basic and Standard plans. Personally, I spent years on the Standard plan and only upgraded to Premium to avoid these fees. Considering the annual fee costs about the same as one night in an average hotel, you only need to do one house sit a year to justify the cost.
Depending on where your house sits are located, you’ll also need to budget for transportation to and from the location. This could include flights, trains or other travel expenses. And while some homeowners might leave you a welcome basket or basic supplies, you’ll typically be responsible for your own groceries too.
However, when you think about what you’re saving, these costs are minimal.
- You won’t be paying rent while house-sitting, which can result in significant savings, especially in expensive cities.
- Utility bills are typically covered by the homeowner, freeing you from monthly expenses like electricity, water and internet.
- You don’t need a car. I sold mine when I started house-sitting and manage solely on public transport. You might even get lucky and have use of a car as part of the sit.
- Some homeowners share access to their streaming accounts, so I rarely pay for Netflix anymore.
I go into more detail on how I make house-sitting work full time, how I get back-to-back sits, find remote work and loads more in my How to Become a House-Sitter eBook.
Is TrustedHousesitters safe for a solo female traveller?
As a solo female traveller myself, safety has, fortunately, never been a concern when house-sitting. However, just like travelling in general, it’s important to do your research and remain cautious. Here are my recommendations:
- Always arrange a sit through a secure, verified website, even if you’ve sat for the homeowner before. TrustedHousesitters offers dedicated member support and access to veterinary experts for certain memberships. Some homeowner plans include home and contents insurance, which can cover property damage or accidents during a sit. Check TrustedHousesitters safety page for details.
- Read reviews from other sitters to understand what to expect from the sit. If it’s the homeowner’s first time, make sure to thoroughly review their profile and…
- Arrange a video call before accepting and ask plenty of questions. If something doesn’t feel right, you have no obligation to accept the sit.
- Get travel insurance for extra peace of mind, especially if you’re sitting outside of your home country or in case you have an accident away from the property.
- Ensure you’re familiar with your location and know how you can get home safely if you plan to go out in the evenings.
- Make sure you have sufficient funds to adjust your plans at the last minute if necessary.
What are the downsides of house-sitting?
I couldn’t write a TrustedHousesitters review without, of course, mentioning the downsides.
- There’s no monetary compensation – only free accommodation.
- You’re responsible for someone else’s home and pets.
- Living in someone else’s space can take some adjusting.
- Home quality varies: some come with all the comforts, others considerably less.
- Solo sitters may find it quite lonely at times.
- Most arrangements require you to commit to the full duration of the sit, which may not suit spontaneous travellers.
None of these are downsides to me as I’ve learnt how to make it work in a way that suits my needs. Perhaps the closest thing to a downside is when I get properly attached to the pets and the place and don’t want to leave!
My honest TrustedHousesitters review
House-sitting is my favourite way to travel – I’m about to complete my 70th sit! I always look forward to exploring the homeowners’ picks for the best local dining, hidden viewpoints and cool coffee spots. I love the cuddly cats that ensure I don’t feel lonely when I’m working from home and the adorable dogs that take me to their favourite park.
I’ve ticked off new countries like Switzerland and Sweden, spent three weeks in Paris over the Olympics and have explored so many places in the UK I didn’t know existed. There’s no way I would be able to afford all of these adventures without house-sitting.
Having said that, it’s crucial to remember that the primary focus is on caring for the homes and pets. Maintaining cleanliness, sticking to the pets’ schedule and staying for the entire duration of the sit are key responsibilities. If you’re only in it for the travel perks, then house-sitting is probably not for you.
After 70+ house sits, I can honestly say I’ve never had a terrible experience. Sure, sometimes little things go wrong or something isn’t 100% what you were expecting, but I would return to almost every sit I’ve done. The homeowners I’ve met have all been welcoming and friendly, ensuring I’ve felt safe and comfortable in their homes.
Even with the addition of the per-sit fees for some memberships, I still think the membership fee is worth it. I’m sure a kennel, cat hotel or private house-sitter would be far more, not to mention the accommodation savings for sitters.
In my opinion, TrustedHousesitters is absolutely worth it, and after reading this, I hope you think so too.
If you’re interested in following along with my house-sitting adventures, I write about it on Substack, and also in my regular Freelancer Magazine column.
