I used to think that chaining together short weekend sits was the ultimate travel hack, a way to see the world in bite-sized, commitment-free chunks. I was wrong. By the fourth Friday in a row of packing our lives into boxes, learning a new coffee machine, and trying to bond with a shy cat in under 48 hours, I was burnt out.
I remember sitting on the edge of a strange bed in a suburb we barely had time to explore, realizing that while we were "traveling," we weren't actually living. We were just moving.
That was the moment the math changed for us.
If you are reading this, you are probably staring at a platform like Trusted House Sitters or House Sitters Canada, wondering if you should apply for that 3-month stay in a rural farmhouse or stick to the 2-day city break.
We have done both, from quick 48-hour sprints to multi-month residencies. Here is the honest breakdown of how the logistics, cleaning, and expectations differ, and how to survive both without losing your mind.
The Weekend Sprint: The Resume Builder
When we first started, we were desperate for reviews. We learned quickly that the fastest way to build a House Sitting Profile that owners can't resist is volume.
The Strategy:
You can fit four weekend sits into a single month. If you do a month-long house sit, that only gets you one review. If you are new and trying to figure out how to get started in house sitting, short sits are your golden ticket.
The Reality:
However, don't expect these to be relaxing holidays. On a short weekend sit, the moment we arrive, we feel the clock ticking. We need to unpack, learn the pet's routine, and almost immediately start packing and cleaning to leave. There is very little downtime to relax.
The Protocol for Short Stays:
Because the turnover is so fast, our cleaning routine is streamlined but strict.
The "Leave It Better" Rule: Is it realistic to deep clean a house you stayed in for two days? No. We tend to just vacuum the floors, clean the bathroom, and wipe down the kitchen. We don't go over the top.
The Early Exit: If we have an early morning departure (which happens often on weekends), we strip the bed and leave the sheets in the washing basket, then let the owner know. They are generally very grateful for that, and honestly, many don't even expect house sitters to do that much.
The 5-Star Advantage: It is actually easier to get a 5-star review on a short sit. Why? Because less can go wrong. The house doesn't get a chance to get dirty, and the communication remains constant over a short 48-hour window.
The Long-Term Stay: The Local Experience
This is where the magic happens for us. Long-term sits (2 weeks to several months) allow us to actually unpack. We stop living out of a suitcase and start living like locals. This is the true secret to traveling affordably across the US or Europe.
The Complexity of Long Stays:
While you get to relax, the responsibilities shift from "guest" to "temporary resident."
1. The "Unused Room" Dilemma
If you stay in a massive house for three months but only use two rooms, are you responsible for dusting the guest bedrooms you never entered?
Our Rule: If a room is off-limits, we don't go in, and we leave it exactly as it is. However, if you have access to the whole house, we suggest cleaning the rooms you didn't use as well, just a quick vacuum will do before you leave. Dust settles whether you are in the room or not.
2. Utilities and Bills
This is a common friction point. On platforms like House Sitters America or Aussie House Sitters, listings vary.
Our Stance: We believe pet sitters bring a lot to the table, security, pet care, and home maintenance. If someone is searching for a pet sitter, they should manage the utility bills.
Action Step: Discuss this before you agree to the sit. Never assume.
3. The Guest Policy
Living somewhere for six months means you might want your sister or a friend to visit.
How to Handle It: Most homeowners are understanding of people doing long-term house sits and will have no issues with guests staying over. But you must ask. If you aren't happy with a "no guest" rule, don't apply. Transparency is everything.
Universal Rules: Food, Mail, and Gardens
Whether you are there for a weekend or a season, certain etiquettes remain the same.
Pantry Etiquette
We usually only eat the perishables in the fridge that the house owner has left, the stuff that will go bad before they return. It saves waste, and owners appreciate it.
However, for pantry staples like eggs, flour, or oil: If you finish it, replace it. We always replace these items before the homeowner returns. It’s a small gesture that secures those verified reviews.
Garden Maintenance
Weekend Sits: Do homeowners expect you to mow the lawn on a Saturday night stay? No, not at all.
Long Sits: This is where you need to be careful. Garden maintenance should be discussed before the house sit gets approved. If they have a jungle that needs weekly tending, you need to know that before you commit.
Mail and Deliveries
This is a simple house sitting safety measure. We always bring in the mail if it's left at the door. It makes the house look lived-in and deters break-ins.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you are looking at house sitting jobs as a way to build a career or a robust profile, start with the weekends. Grind out those 48-hour stays, get your reviews, and learn the ropes.
But if you are looking for the benefits of house sitting that allow for deep travel and relaxation, aim for the long haul. Just remember, with longer stays comes the responsibility of maintaining the home's "health" from the garden to the dust bunnies in the corner.
For Caro and me, it is very simple: We always return the house in the same state we were given it, or better. There are no "ifs" or "buts." We appreciate the ability to stay in someone's amazing home, and if we had people stay in our home, we would expect the same.
Does it mean deep cleaning is necessary every time? No. But leaving a lasting impression of respect? That is non-negotiable.
P.S. If you are ready to book your next adventure, whether it's a weekend in London or a month in Brisbane, check out Kiwi House Sitting or Uk House Sitters for great local options.
Caro & Konrad 🐾🚐
DM us @housesittersguide if you have questions — we answer everyone!
Is the "leave it better than you found it" philosophy realistic for a 48-hour weekend sit?
We tend to just vacuum the floors, clean the bathroom and kitchen on short house sits like this. We don't go over the top making the place clean. And because of this we also tend to prefer longer sits. Because the moment we arrive, we feel we need to start packing and getting ready to leave. There is no downtime to relax.
The "Unused Room" Dilemm
If I stay for months but only use two rooms, am I responsible for dusting the whole house? A: If you stay in a place for many months, then I would suggest cleaning the room that you didn't use as well. Just a quick vacuum will do. If it's off limits, then don't go in and leave it the way it is.
How do you handle laundry logistics—stripping beds and washing towels—when you have an early morning departure after a short weekend?
If we have an early morning departure, we strip the bed and leave it in the washing basket and let the owner know. They are generally very grateful for that and in fact many don't expect the house sitters to do that.
"Pantry Etiquette": Should I replace every condiment I use during a long sit, or just the main items?
We usually only eat the things in the fridge that the house owner has left, which will go bad before the house owner returns. If it's other things like eggs or things in the pantry, Caro and I will always replace them before the home owner returns.
How do you handle mail and deliveries for homeowners during a long absence compared to a quick weekend check-in?
We always bring them in, if they are left at the door. If they have a mailbox we will check it on longer house sits
