What is house sitting?

What is house sitting and what does a house sitter do? Well, if you’re thinking about house sitting or you’re searching for the perfect pet sitter, you’re in the right place. Here we explore how house sitting works, alongside benefits, tips and more. 

Before we get started, let’s quickly get us all on the right page! So, what is house sitting? A house sitter stays in another’s home while they’re away, making sure the home is kept as they found it and giving the pets the care and TLC they need. 

With TrustedHousesitters, our pet parents have peace of mind while they’re away by welcoming animal lovers who are as passionate about pets as they are, while our sitters get to travel the world, taking care of the pets in it and staying in real homes, in real neighborhoods in return.

How does house sitting work?

Finding house sitting opportunities

If you’re new to pet sitting, you’re probably wondering how to get house sitting assignments in locations you’ll love. It all starts with a TrustedHousesitters membership:

1. Join our community and set up your sitter profile. Make your profile stand out. Show the best version of you as a pet lover, providing clear photos, a detailed “about you” section, provide at least three references, apply for a free verification and complete your background checks (if you’re US-based).
2. Apply to sits near and far. Send a personalized application message so that pet parents know you’re genuinely invested in their home and pets.
3. Confirm your sit. Chat via the website or app, and organize a video call to get to know each other, and fine-tune the details of the home and pet care responsibilities. Then, once you’re sure, both of you will need to click “confirm”.
4. Start your pet sitting journey. Stay in real homes, in real neighborhoods, in return for caring for the place and pets like your own, and make lasting connections along the way.

What does a house sitter do?

• Provide loving pet care. Our sitters are dedicated to giving pets the care they need while their pet parents are away. Besides couch snuggles, sitters also feed the pets, go for walks, and generally provide round-the-clock care (whatever that might look like for the species) in the comfort of the pet’s home.
• Take care of the home. Alongside leaving it as they found it, our sitters also water the plants, collect mail, keep pet parents updated on their animals, and any other basic house maintenance.
• Travel the world. Our sitters get to live like a local, staying in real homes and caring for pets of all shapes, sizes and species. We even have a collection of long-term house sitters who’ve made it a lifestyle!

The benefits of house sitting for pet parents

• Peace of mind. Welcoming a pet sitter allows pet parents to relax while they’re away, knowing their animals and home are being taken care of, and everything is under control.
• 1:1 pet care. Pets enjoy personalized love, care and attention, and pet parents are kept in the loop while they’re away.
• Connect with a community. Our members make meaningful friendships based on common ground: a passion for pets and a love for travel. 

Find more benefits of house sitting in our article, 5 reasons people love in-home pet sitters.

Tips for successful house sitting

Tips for pet parents

• Create a listing that stands out. Describe your home and pets, and include lots of pictures that truly represent them for a listing that stands out from the pack.
• Monitor your applications. You’ll receive up to five applications at a time, giving you the chance to review potential sitters and decide if they’re right for you. Swiftly decline any sitters who don’t feel right to reopen your listing to new applications, helping you on your way to securing your perfect sitter.
• Boost your listing. Want more eyes on your pets, home and dates you’re away? Boost your listing so that it appears at the top of our search page. Any sitters who’ve saved a search that matches your listing will then receive a notification and the option to apply directly.
• Arrange a chat with potential sitters. Before you and your potential sitter hit that all-important “confirm” button, get to know one another first. Chat first and set up a video call to go through expectations, experience and any questions you might have.
• Make sure you confirm. Once you’re sure you’ve made the right choice, secure your sitter by hitting “confirm”. You’ll both need to do this to confirm the sit.
• Set up a sit handover. Allowing time for a sit handover is a great way to get everything in order before you part ways with your pets. Even better, plan to meet before the sit if location allows.

Tips for house sitters

• Set up a detailed profile. Talk about yourself, your hobbies, your experiences and love for pets along with photos that truly represent you to create the perfect sitter profile.
• Get at least three references. Our sitters who have three references or more increase their chances of securing a sit by 20%.
• Request reviews. Once you’ve completed a sit, request a review, which will then appear on your profile. Build up your reviews over time to make your profile shine.
• Personalize your application. Making your application message personal is a sure way to let pet parents know you’re genuinely interested in their listing. Reference the pet names and talk about why you’re a great fit for them.
• Communicate. Once you’ve confirmed your sit, get to know the pet parents and find out as much as you can about their pets. Chat via the app, and set up a video call to get to know one another.
• Prepare for the sit handover. Learn about their housekeeping rules, preferences around the house and make a first impression by planning the sit handover ahead of time.

Successful communication and setting expectations

Be open and honest with one another about your expectations for the sit and any experience you have. Make sure you’re all on the same page about what a house sitter is, and what house sitters do while in the home. 

Keep in touch via the app, arrange a video call to iron out any questions you might have, arrange a sit handover, and meet before the sit if location allows to make your house sitting arrangements. 

While keeping pets safe and happy and making sure homes are kept clean and tidy are our sitters’ priorities, there might be other areas of housekeeping our pet parents would like to be looked after. These can include watering the plants, collecting the mail, and knowing how any vet bills are to be handled. 

It’s also important to agree on a level of communication while the sit is happening - while some pet parents prefer daily updates, others would rather receive contact only in cases of emergency.