How to Get Started in House Sitting: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

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If someone asked me at a dinner party what house sitting is, and I had 30 seconds to answer, I would say this: it is the best way to explore the world affordably. You meet new people, you experience new pets, and you get to live in homes you could never otherwise afford, in cities and towns you might never otherwise visit, without spending a single dollar on accommodation. You see how other people live. You immerse yourself in a place rather than passing through it. And the only thing it costs, beyond the platform membership, is treating someone else's home and animals with the same care you would give your own.

That is the version of house sitting Caro and I have lived for three years across 20 sits in 12 countries. This article covers how to get from where you are right now, probably reading this with no profile and no experience, to your first confirmed sit and your first five-star review.

If you are ready to start today, TrustedHouseSitters is the largest platform with the most listings globally. A 25% discount on membership is available here.

First, Understand What This Actually Is

The most common reaction when people first hear about house sitting is not excitement. It is suspicion. Why would a homeowner trust a stranger with their home and their pets?

The answer is simpler than most people expect. A homeowner going on holiday needs someone to look after their animals and keep their home secure. Their options are a boarding kennel, which is expensive and stressful for the pet, a paid pet sitter, which is also expensive, or a house sitter, who does it for free in exchange for accommodation. The homeowner saves money and their pet stays in its own home, following its own routine, sleeping in its own bed. The sitter gets a free place to stay in a location they want to visit. Both sides benefit.

Platforms like TrustedHouseSitters, Nomador, Aussie House Sitters, House Sitters America, and MindMyHouse exist to connect homeowners with sitters. They handle the profiles, the messaging, the reviews, and in some cases the ID verification and background checks that give both sides confidence in the arrangement.

The exchange is not complicated. The pet gets better care than boarding provides because it stays home. The homeowner gets peace of mind because someone is living in and looking after their property. The sitter gets free accommodation in exchange for that care. Our is house sitting worth it article covers the full financial case and the honest downsides if you are still deciding whether this is right for you. Our house sitting costs guide breaks down exactly what it costs beyond the platform fee.

Choose Your Platform

The first practical step is choosing a platform and setting up an account. For most people starting out, TrustedHouseSitters is the right first choice because it has the largest number of listings globally. Our 25% discount reduces the first year cost.

The sitter membership tiers on THS as of 2026 are:

For a first-time sitter, Basic or Standard is enough to get started. The search alerts on Standard are worth having if you are targeting competitive markets like London or Los Angeles where listings fill within hours. Our TrustedHouseSitters pricing guide and THS review cover the full tier comparison.

You do not need to sign up to every platform at once. Browse the smaller platforms for free first, see whether listings exist in areas you are interested in, and only pay for the ones that have what you need. The smaller platforms have two genuine advantages: they are significantly more affordable, and they have far less competition per listing. A sit on House Sitters America or MindMyHouse might attract five applications rather than fifty.

Our best international platforms guide and the US platforms guide cover which platform wins in which region. The house sitting in Australia guide covers why Aussie House Sitters dominates that market specifically.

What the Journey Actually Looks Like

Most people overestimate how long it takes to go from zero to a confirmed first sit. Here is a realistic timeline based on our experience and what we have seen from other sitters in the community.

The whole process from signing up to completing a first sit can happen within a month if you apply promptly to less competitive listings. Caro and I went from zero to confirmed within a day of creating our profile. The barrier to entry is lower than most people assume. The main thing that slows people down is not the platform or the competition. It is hesitating to send that first application.

Set Up Your Profile

The profile is not what gets you the sit. The first message is. But the profile is what homeowners look at after your message catches their attention, so it needs to be good enough to confirm the impression the message created.

A strong profile answers three questions: Who are you? Are you comfortable with animals? Will the home be safe with you?

Write it in your own voice. Two to three paragraphs that feel like a real person, not a template. Include specific animal experience if you have it. Be honest about what you have and have not done. A homeowner would rather read "we are new to house sitting but have looked after family pets for years and are excited to start" than an exaggerated list of credentials they will see through during the video call.

If you are staring at a blank screen and do not know where to begin, AI can help. Use an interview-style prompt that asks you questions before generating anything, then edit every word of the output. Our complete profile guide includes the exact AI prompt we recommend and covers photos, common mistakes, and what to do if your profile is not getting responses.

Complete ID Verification

Every major platform offers some form of identity verification. On THS, ID verification is mandatory for all sitters and a background check is available free for US members. On platforms like Aussie House Sitters, House Sitters America, and House Sitters UK, ID verification is optional for around $5.

Complete whatever verification your platform offers. It takes minutes, it displays as a badge on your profile, and it removes one more reason for a homeowner to hesitate. For a new sitter with no reviews, the verified badge is one of the few trust signals you have. Use it.

Upload Good Photos

Profile photos are doing one specific job: showing homeowners you are a real, approachable person who is comfortable around animals. Professional photography is not required. What is required is clarity, brightness, and a genuine smile.

The first one or two photos should show you with an animal that is visibly comfortable in your presence. A cat lying near you, a dog being patted, anything that shows the pet is relaxed rather than restrained. Avoid blurry photos, dark indoor shots, and group photos where the homeowner has to guess which person you are.

Caro and I have not changed our photos significantly since we started. They are bright, they show us smiling, and the pets in them are clearly comfortable. That has been enough across 20 sits in 12 countries.

Write an Exceptional First Message

This is where most new sitters fail and where most successful sitters succeed. The first message is the single most important piece of content you will produce as a house sitter.

A strong first message does three things. It shows the homeowner you have actually read their listing. It names the pet. And it explains briefly why you are suited to this specific sit rather than sits in general.

A bad first message: "Hi, we love animals and would love to house sit for you. We are reliable and tidy. Please check our profile."

That message could be sent to any listing on any platform. It contains nothing specific. The homeowner reads it and learns nothing about whether you care about their specific pet or their specific situation.

A strong first message opens with something from the listing itself. It mentions the pet by name. It connects your experience to something the listing requires. It closes with warmth and availability. Five to eight sentences is usually enough.

Put 90% of your ongoing effort here. The profile gets written once. The first message gets written fresh for every single application. Our profile guide covers the message-writing approach in full, and our AI application guide covers how to personalise messages efficiently when applying to multiple sits.

Apply for Your First Sit

The hardest sit to get is the first one. You have no reviews, no track record, and you are competing against sitters who have both. Here is how to make it easier.

Start local if possible. A sit near where you live removes the travel cost, reduces the stakes, and gives you a low-pressure environment for your first experience. Caro and I started five minutes from where she was living in Bochum. It was not exotic. It was practical, and it got us our first review.

Target less competitive listings. Rural sits, longer sits, sits with cats rather than dogs, sits in less popular regions. These attract fewer applications, which means a new sitter with no reviews has a genuine chance. Competitive markets like London or Paris will come later once you have a track record. Our building trust as a new sitter guide covers the early phase in detail.

Apply quickly. On THS, listings close after five applications. In popular areas, that can happen within hours. Set up search alerts and respond the moment something appears that fits. Speed matters more than perfection. A good message sent immediately beats a perfect message sent tomorrow.

Do not be discouraged by early rejections. They are normal. Every sitter with 20 five-star reviews started with zero. The momentum builds faster than you expect once the first review is in.

The Video Call

Most homeowners will want a video call before confirming you. This is not an interview. It is a conversation to see whether both sides feel comfortable with the arrangement.

What homeowners are actually assessing: whether you communicate well, whether you have read the listing, whether you ask about the pets specifically, and whether they feel comfortable handing you their keys. What you should be assessing: whether the homeowner is honest about what the sit involves, whether the pet's needs are something you can genuinely manage, and whether anything feels off.

Ask about the pet's routine. Ask about the welcome guide. Ask whether there is anything about the home or pet that is not in the listing. Ask whether the pet is spayed or neutered if it has outdoor access. Our what to ask a homeowner before a sit guide has the full question list. Our red flags in homeowner language article covers what to listen for that might suggest the sit is not what it appears.

Your First Sit: What to Actually Do

You have been confirmed. The dates are set. Here is what happens next.

Before you arrive: Read the welcome guide thoroughly. If there is no welcome guide, ask the homeowner to provide one. Our no welcome guide article covers what to do if nothing arrives. Pack your health essentials including electrolytes, vitamin C, and basic first aid supplies. Save the homeowner's phone number and any emergency contacts. Confirm your arrival time.

When you arrive: Put your things down. Do a video walkthrough of the entire property to document its condition. Then stop. Spend time with the pets. Do not rush into exploring or unpacking. The first hour is about settling in.

During the sit: Follow the pet routine exactly as described. Do not change it. Send the homeowner a photo and a short message daily in the first week, then taper based on their response pattern. Keep the house tidy throughout, not just at the end. If something goes wrong, report it immediately rather than hiding it. Remember it is not your home: do not rearrange things, do not go through personal belongings, do not invite guests without asking, and replace anything you use up.

On the last day: Strip the bed, clean the kitchen, vacuum, mop, shower, load the washing machine. Do a final video walkthrough. Leave it as clean or cleaner than you found it. The homeowner's last impression is what they see when they walk through the door, and that impression directly shapes the review they write.

After the sit: Write an honest, generous review. The blind review system on THS means both parties submit before either can read the other's. Be factual, be fair, and be kind.

What the First Day Actually Feels Like

Nobody writes about this part and it is the part that makes new sitters most nervous, so here it is honestly.

You will probably feel slightly out of place for the first few hours. You are in someone else's home, surrounded by someone else's belongings, with an animal that does not know you yet. The shower works differently from yours. The coffee machine has its own logic. You open three cupboards before finding the mugs. This is normal and it passes faster than you expect.

The pets help. A cat that rubs against your leg within the first hour communicates something no amount of preparation can: you are accepted in this space. A dog that follows you from room to room is doing the same thing. The animals do not care about your review count or your profile. They care about whether you are calm and present. If you are, they settle. When they settle, you settle. If a pet is shy or nervous around you, give it space and let it come to you on its own terms.

By the evening of day one, the home will already feel more familiar. By day two, the morning routine will feel like it belongs to you. By day three, you will stop reaching for the wrong light switch. The adjustment period is real but it is short, and on the other side of it is the feeling that made Caro and me fall in love with this lifestyle: the feeling of being temporarily at home in a place you have never been before.

The 10-Review Turning Point

There is a specific point where the whole process shifts. Around 10 reviews, the profile starts doing the work for you. Homeowners see a track record of five-star reviews from multiple different homeowners and the convincing is largely done before the video call even happens.

Before 10 reviews, every application requires more effort because you are building credibility from scratch. After 10, the momentum carries you. Applications get accepted faster, homeowners are more trusting during the video call, and the competitive markets that felt impossible at zero reviews start opening up.

The path to 10 reviews is the same as the path to the first one: start with less competitive listings, write exceptional first messages, over-deliver on every sit, and let the reviews accumulate. Each one makes the next sit easier to get.

What If Your First Sit Is Not Great

It happens. Not every first sit is the Cortona farmhouse with the Labrador and the homemade soup. Sometimes the home is not as described. Sometimes the pet is more demanding than the listing suggested. Sometimes the communication with the homeowner is strained for reasons you cannot quite identify. Sometimes you just feel out of place and spend the two weeks counting down to the end.

This does not mean house sitting is not for you. It means your first sit was not the right one, and that is information rather than a verdict.

Caro and I have had sits that were difficult. Our Tavera sit in Portugal involved a dog with undisclosed behavioural issues and a strained relationship with the homeowner. It was genuinely uncomfortable. The sit immediately after it, our current six-month Portugal sit, has been one of the best experiences of our lives. The two came back to back. If we had quit after the difficult one, we would have missed everything that followed.

Every experienced sitter has a sit they would rather not repeat. The ones who continue are the ones who understand that a bad sit teaches you what to ask next time, what to look for in a listing, and what your own limits are. Those lessons are worth more than a perfect first experience would have been, because a perfect first experience teaches you nothing about how to navigate the imperfect ones that will inevitably come.

If your first sit is difficult, finish it with grace, leave an honest and fair review, and apply for the next one. The trajectory almost always improves.

Common Profile Mistakes

The Mindset That Makes All of This Work

Before my first sit, the thing I worried most about was not being good enough. Not good enough to care for the pet properly, not good enough to maintain the home, not good enough to justify the trust someone was placing in me. That anxiety pushed me to over-deliver, which turned out to be exactly the right instinct.

The reality is simpler than the anxiety suggests. House sitting is just living in someone else's home. The expectations homeowners have are the same as yours: look after the pets well, keep the house clean, communicate openly. It is basic, and there is really no stress necessary, especially if you are comfortable communicating with people.

The sitters who do well are not the ones with the most experience or the fanciest profiles. They are the ones who treat homeowners as friends rather than employers, who communicate warmly and consistently, and who leave every home in a state that makes the homeowner want to invite them back. That is the foundation for a friendship that lasts beyond the sit and the reason Caro and I now have enough referrals to keep sitting for years without needing to browse listings.

First Sit Checklist

Print this or save it on your phone. Open it when you arrive at your first sit.

Conclusion

Getting started in house sitting is less complicated than it looks from the outside. Choose a platform, set up a profile, verify your identity, upload clear photos, and write an exceptional first message for every listing you apply to. Start local and start small. Over-deliver on your first sit. Earn that first review. Then do it again.

Caro and I started with zero reviews, a profile my mum helped edit, and a sit five minutes from where Caro lived. Three years later we have 20 sits across 12 countries, five stars on every one, and enough confirmed future sits through referrals to keep going for years. The system works. The only thing it requires is starting.

If you are ready, TrustedHouseSitters with the 25% discount is the best place to begin. Set up your profile today, apply for your first sit this week, and see what happens.

Caro and I have completed 20 house sits across 12 countries, driven 19,000km across Europe in our 1998 VW T4, and saved over $26,500 in accommodation costs over three years of house sitting. If you have questions about getting started, send us a message on Instagram, we read every DM.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I start house sitting with no experience?

  Choose a platform (TrustedHouseSitters is the largest), set up a profile with clear photos and honest descriptions of your animal experience, complete ID verification, and apply for less competitive listings near where you live. Write a specific, personalised first message for every application. Your first sit builds the foundation that everything else stands on.

• What is the best house sitting platform for beginners?

  TrustedHouseSitters has the most listings globally and the strongest verification system, making it the best starting point for most people. For Australia specifically, Aussie House Sitters has more local listings. For France, Nomador dominates. For the US, House Sitters America is a strong budget secondary option. Browse platforms for free before paying to confirm that listings exist where you want to sit.

• How long does it take to get your first house sit?

  Days to weeks if you are applying to less competitive listings with a strong first message. Competitive markets like London or Los Angeles take longer. Starting local and targeting rural or longer-duration sits gives you the best chance of getting confirmed quickly as a new sitter.

• Do I need experience with animals to start?

  No formal qualifications, but genuine comfort around animals is essential. If you have looked after family pets, walked a neighbour's dog, or simply spent time around animals, that counts. Be honest about your experience in your profile and build from there sit by sit.

• What is the most important part of a house sitting application?

  The first message. It is the first thing a homeowner reads and determines whether they ever look at your profile. A specific message that names the pet, references the listing, and explains why you are suited to this particular sit gets responses. A generic message gets ignored regardless of how strong the profile is.

• How do I get reviews when I have none?

  Start with less competitive listings where homeowners receive fewer applications and are more willing to take a chance on a new sitter. Local sits, rural sits, longer sits, and cat sits all tend to have lower competition. Over-deliver on these early sits and the reviews will come. Around 10 reviews, the whole process shifts and applications become significantly easier.

• What if my first sit is a bad experience?

  Finish it with grace, leave an honest review, and apply for the next one. Every experienced sitter has a sit they would rather not repeat. A bad first experience is information about what to ask and what to look for next time, not a verdict on whether house sitting works for you. The trajectory almost always improves from the first sit onward.

• Is house sitting safe?

  Yes, for both sitters and homeowners. Platforms like TrustedHouseSitters require ID verification for all sitters, offer background checks for US members, and use blind review systems that keep feedback honest. The video call before every sit gives both parties the chance to assess the fit. Our house sitting background checks guide covers what each platform does to verify members.

• How much does it cost to start house sitting?

  A TrustedHouseSitters Basic sitter membership costs $99 per year. With the 25% discount it comes down to around $74. Beyond the membership, the main costs are travel to each sit ($60 to $250 depending on distance), maintaining an accessible emergency fund of at least $500, and an optional thank you gift for the homeowner ($5 to $25). Our house sitting costs guide has the full breakdown.

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