We just applied for a six-month stay in a villa near a Portuguese beach, and the total cost for rent is exactly zero dollars.
It sounds like a scam, doesn't it? But right now, as you read this, there are homeowners looking for someone to keep their seat warm for half a year.
The problem is, most people treat house sitting like a weekend getaway. They scramble for three-day stays and burn themselves out moving every Tuesday. If you want to actually live somewhere to unpack your suitcase and stop living out of packing cubes you need to change how you search.
In our last chat, we looked at why paid platforms beat free classifieds regarding safety. Now that you’re on the right site, let’s talk about how to find those "hidden" multi-month gems that let you live like a local.
The "Secret" to Finding Long Listings
People ask us all the time what magic filter we use to find six-month sits. The honest truth? It’s usually just the date slider.
It sounds too simple, but most users never drag that duration filter past "2 weeks."
We are currently looking at a summer in Portugal. We didn't do anything special to find it; we just set our search parameters to 3+ months. Unlike the short weekend trips that disappear in minutes, long-term house sitting gigs often sit on the platform for a while.
It’s a big commitment for a homeowner to hand over their keys for half a year. They take their time vetting people. This works in your favor.
Pro Tip: Don't just search once. Set up a notification alert on your premium profile. When that dream six-month stay in Tuscany or British Columbia pops up, you want to be the first to ping them.
The Money Talk: Should You Pay Bills?
Here is a hill we are willing to die on: You should not be paying the homeowner's utility bills.
We see this question pop up constantly. "Is it normal to pay for heating if I stay for three months?"
In our experience, especially on major platforms like Trusted House Sitters or Nomador, the policy is usually a strict exchange: care for home/pets in exchange for accommodation. No money changes hands.
However, we have learned this the hard way.
We once lined up a five-month sit in France. We had quit our jobs, ended our lease, and packed our bags. One week before our flight, the owner dropped a bomb: they expected us to pay €500 a month for utilities.
Because we were desperate and had already committed, we did it. But looking back? We would never do that again. It changes the dynamic from "helpful guest" to "tenant," and that can get messy. If an owner springs costs on you last minute, that is a major red flag.
If there are going to be extra costs or fees, they must be agreed upon before you click accept.
The Digital Nomad Necessity
If you are planning to work from the house, "good wifi" is a subjective term. To a homeowner, "good" might mean it loads Facebook eventually. To us, it means Zoom calls don't freeze.
Don't just take their word for it.
We have a simple rule: Ask for a screenshot. We politely explain that we work remotely and ask if they can run a quick test on Speedtest.net and send us the image.
It takes two minutes for them, but it saves us months of frustration. If they refuse or can't do it, we move on.
Spotting the "Fake" House Sit
When you are looking for long stays, you will occasionally stumble upon listings that look less like a holiday and more like unpaid labor.
We saw one listing in France recently that asked for help with the garden. That’s fine; I (Konrad) am a handyman and landscaper, so I don't mind mowing a lawn.
But be careful. If the "help" involves re-tiling a roof, painting a barn, or managing a renovation crew, that is not a house sitting job. That is employment.
Read the profile carefully. If the list of chores looks like a 40-hour work week, they aren't looking for a sitter; they're looking for free staff. Unless you are being paid, stick to pet care and light maintenance.
Do You Need a Trial Run?
For a long sit, you might think you need to meet in person first.
Honestly? It rarely happens.
Since we use platforms for international opportunities, we are often thousands of miles away from the home. A "trial weekend" isn't physically possible.
We rely on video calls. A solid 30-minute chat is usually enough to see if the vibe is right.
Trust your gut on these calls. If the homeowner wants to show you every inch of the house on camera, they are usually serious. If they are vague or won't turn the camera on, they might be flaky. In our experience, the ones who insist on a trial run are often the ones who are unsure about leaving at all.
The Legal Elephant in the Room: Visas
If you are eyeing a long stay in Europe, you need to know about the Schengen Zone.
Americans, Australians, and Canadians generally get 90 days in the Schengen area (most of Europe) within a 180-day period. A five-month sit in France will put you over this limit unless you have a specific visa.
We are not lawyers, and you should always check with the consulate, but you need to be smart about how you frame your trip at the border.
There is a gray area with house sitting legal issues. We have read on forums that in many countries, if you say "I am here to house sit," the border officer might hear "I am here to work."
On reddit the experienced nomads often state they are visiting friends or traveling as tourists (which is true). We always make sure we have sufficient funds to support ourselves and a return ticket booked.
Don't let the logistics scare you off. Living in a Swiss chalet or a Spanish villa for months at a time is the ultimate travel hack. You just have to be patient enough to find the right listing, and smart enough to ask the right questions before you pack your bags.
Caro & Konrad 🐾🚐
DM us @housesittersguide if you have questions — we answer everyone!
How can I find house sits that last for several months?
It often comes down to using the right filters. On major platforms, set your duration search to 1+ months. These listings take longer to fill than short weekend trips, so you have a better chance of being seen. We also recommend setting up email alerts so you are notified the moment a long-term home becomes available.
Should I pay for utilities during a long-term house sit?
Generally, no. Most reputable platforms operate on a cashless exchange: you provide pet care and security in exchange for free accommodation. If a homeowner expects you to contribute to bills, this should be explicitly agreed upon before you confirm the sit. We advise against accepting last-minute demands for money.
How do I ensure the internet is good enough for remote work?
Don't rely on a verbal "it's fast." Ask the homeowner to run a speed test using a site like speedtest.net and send you a screenshot of the results. This is a standard request for digital nomads and ensures you won't be stuck unable to work once you arrive.
What are the red flags for long-term listings?
Be wary of listings that describe heavy manual labor, such as renovation work, deep landscaping, or construction assistance. House sitting should involve pet care and light maintenance (like watering plants or mowing a lawn), not unpaid property management. If it feels like a full-time job, it probably is.
Do I need a visa for long-term house sitting in Europe?
Yes, you must adhere to local immigration laws. For the Schengen Zone in Europe, many tourists are limited to 90 days within a 180-day period. If your sit is longer than this, you will need a specific visa. Always verify requirements with the consulate and be cautious about how you describe your stay at the border to avoid it being misconstrued as employment.
