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There is a category of traveller whose accommodation budget is, functionally, zero — and they are not sleeping in hostels or crashing on couches. They are staying in real homes, often lovely ones, sometimes with a pool and always with a full kitchen, in exchange for something they were going to do anyway: being a responsible adult who is trustworthy with a house. Here is how house sitting and home swapping work, who they suit, and how to start.
House sitting: what it actually involves
A house sit is an arrangement where a homeowner leaves their house — typically while travelling themselves — and a sitter stays there in exchange for looking after the property, any pets, and any garden. The accommodation is free. The responsibilities vary from ‘water a few plants’ to ‘care for three dogs and a cat and be home by 10pm’. Reading the listing carefully tells you which you are agreeing to.
The platforms that facilitate this — TrustedHousesitters is the largest — charge the sitter an annual membership fee and list sits globally. The homeowner lists their dates and what their home and pets need; sitters apply with a profile and references.
What makes a good house sitter
The homeowners who use house sitting platforms are entrusting strangers with their home and frequently their pets, which is a significant act of trust. The things that make applications successful are the things that address that trust directly:
- A verified profile with real references. Your first sits are the hardest to get, because references come from sits. Start by applying for smaller, less competitive sits — a studio flat with a cat, a short two-week sit — rather than a villa in Tuscany for a month.
- A genuine profile that explains who you are. Not a list of adjectives. A description of your actual life that makes a homeowner feel they know something real about you.
- Pet experience if you claim it. If the sit involves dogs, the homeowner will ask. General ‘animal lover’ is less convincing than specifics.
- Responsiveness and clarity in communication. Homeowners often have multiple applicants. Someone who replies promptly, asks thoughtful questions and communicates clearly is a more trustworthy prospect than someone who is enthusiastic but vague.
- Flexibility on dates. Sits that exactly match your planned dates are rare. More opportunities open if you can be somewhat flexible.
The trade-off
House sitting is not free accommodation — it is exchanged accommodation. You are providing a service (property and pet care) in exchange for the house. This is the right frame. On sits with demanding pets or multiple animals, the time commitment is real: you may not be able to leave for a full day, evening plans may be constrained, and you are on call for anything that goes wrong.
This makes house sitting ideal for remote workers (who are at a laptop most of the day anyway), for slower travellers who want a home rather than a hotel, and for people who genuinely enjoy caring for animals. It is less ideal for people who want to be out from 7am to midnight every day.
Home swapping: the different model
A home swap is different from house sitting: you exchange your own home with someone else’s, simultaneously or non-simultaneously. You stay in their home; they stay in yours. Or you bank “guest points” by hosting first and spend them to stay elsewhere later.
The platforms here include HomeExchange and Love Home Swap. The model requires that you have a home worth swapping — someone needs to want to stay where you live. City-centre apartments, homes near popular destinations, and unusual rural properties attract the most interest. A suburban house in an average commuter town attracts less.
How to start
- Create a profile and apply for small sits first. The first two or three sits are the hardest; they are how you get references. Treat them as an investment in the profile.
- Apply to multiple sits simultaneously. Acceptance is not guaranteed and homeowners are simultaneously reviewing other applicants. Apply to several options for the same window.
- Over-communicate in the handover. Clear notes about the house, the pets, the routines, and anything that matters make a good sit. Homeowners who have a great experience leave strong references.
- Read the listing carefully. The commitment is in the details. Know what you are agreeing to before you apply.
What a month costs in a city you care about
House sitting makes a long stay financially viable almost anywhere. The cost calculator shows what the rest of the month costs.
Is a house sit right for this trip?
- You will be around most of the day — remote work or a slow trip
- You genuinely enjoy caring for animals if pets are involved
- You have read exactly what the listing asks of you
- You have flexibility on dates
- You are building references by starting with smaller sits
House sitting is exchanged accommodation, not free accommodation. That framing keeps everyone happy.
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