The notification hit our inbox while we were navigating a winding mountain road, dreaming of our next destination. We’d just wrapped up a sit, high on the freedom of the lifestyle, when we saw the update. Suddenly, the math of our "free" accommodation shifted. Trusted House Sitters, the platform we’ve used to secure villas and farmhouses across the globe, had introduced a booking fee. And to be honest, it felt like a slap in the face to the community that built them.
If you are reading this, you’ve likely seen the extra charge at checkout or the angry forum posts and are wondering: Is this the end of affordable house sitting?
Here is the raw truth about the new Trusted house sit booking fee, who actually has to pay it, and whether we think the platform is still worth your time and money.
The "Greed" Fee: What Exactly Is It?
Let’s cut through the corporate jargon. Trusted House Sitters has introduced a mandatory fee that must be paid every single time a sit is confirmed.
Here is the kicker: It is paid by both the homeowner AND the sitter.
Unless you are on a Premium plan (more on that in a second), you are looking at shelling out £9 or $12 USD (or your local equivalent) for every confirmed sit. This isn't a one-off administration cost; this is a recurring tax on your travels.
In my opinion, Trusted House Sitters has completely nuked the community on the website with this move. It screams of greed. Because of this, thousands of users have flooded review sites with 1-star ratings, and their social pages are filled with annoyed house sitters and owners alike.
Who Has to Pay (And Who Doesn't)
The confusion around this update has been massive, so let’s simplify the rules based on what we are seeing right now:
Basic & Standard Members: You pay the fee. Every time you confirm a sit, you pay. If you are a casual sitter doing 5 sits a year, that’s an extra $60 on top of your annual membership.
Premium Members: You are exempt. This is currently the only "get out of jail free" card.
The Owners: Yes, the people letting you stay in their homes for free also have to pay this fee to confirm you, unless they are also Premium members.
This double-sided fee structure is dangerous. It adds friction. If a homeowner is hesitant, an extra fee at checkout might be the thing that stops them from confirming the sit.
The Real Impact on Your Travels
We have done over 14 sits across eight countries, and we know how the ecosystem works. If hundreds or thousands of people leave the website due to this, it will reduce the number of house sitting opportunities available.
Here is what we predict will happen (and what you need to watch out for):
Fewer Short-Term Sits: If you have to pay $12 to sit for a weekend, is it worth it? Probably not. We expect the number of weekend getaways to drop as people refuse to pay a fee that costs more than a cheap lunch.
The Rise of Competitors: People are already talking about jumping ship to platforms like Nomador or regional favorites like Aussie House Sitters or Kiwi House Sitting.
A Smaller Community: As the platform becomes the most expensive option on the market, casual users will leave. This affects everyone negatively because fewer users mean fewer matches.
Is Trusted House Sitters Still Worth It?
This is the million-dollar question. Despite the price hike and the obvious cash grab, Caro and I still use Trusted House Sitters primarily.
Why? Because we are on the Premium membership.
Since we travel full-time and chain sits together, the Premium plan was already a no-brainer for us because of the included cancellation insurance. Because we are Premium, this new booking fee doesn't affect our wallet directly. However, we are painfully aware that our selection of sits might diminish as other users flee the platform.
The Math for You:
If you only travel once or twice a year, Trusted House Sitters is now painfully expensive. You might be better off looking at House Sitters Canada or Uk House Sitters depending on where you are.
However, if you are serious about this lifestyle and plan to do multiple sits a year, you essentially have two choices:
Upgrade to Premium: Swallow the upfront cost to avoid the "per sit" fees.
Leave the Platform: Find a site that doesn't charge you to work for free.
If you do decide to stick around and upgrade, make sure you use a discount code for trusted house sitters to soften the blow.
A Reality Check on Liability
With fees going up, you might think you are getting more protection or employment rights. You are not.
It is vital to remember that house sitting jobs on these platforms are unpaid, voluntary exchanges. Trusted House Sitters is strictly an introduction service. They do not employ you.
No Vetting: They don't do deep background checks (you do your own).
No Guarantees: They don't guarantee safety or suitability.
No Insurance for You: While Premium offers some cancellation cover, you generally need your own Insurance Coverage with House Sitters for health and travel.
If a dog escapes or a pipe bursts, you are largely on your own. We learned this the hard way when a dog bolted into a forest and I spent two hours sprinting after it. That terror? That’s on you. Always ensure you understand the house sitting legal issues before you confirm.
Our Final Verdict
My hope is that Trusted House Sitters reverts back to what it used to be and apologizes for not taking the community into consideration. They risk losing a massive amount of trust.
If we notice a diminishing number of people on the platform, we will 100% stop recommending it. In fact, we will look for alternatives. But for now, if you are a frequent sitter, the Premium plan on Trusted House Sitters remains the most viable option for international travel, simply due to the volume of sits.
Just remember to communicate clearly with owners. With fees on both sides, tensions can be higher. If issues arise, check our guide on Trusted House Sitting Conflict Resolution.
Good luck out there. The landscape is changing, but the joy of spending a week with a new furry best friend is still worth the hassle—at least for now.
Caro & Konrad 🐾🚐
DM us @housesittersguide if you have questions — we answer everyone!
What exactly is the new TrustedHousesitters booking fee and how much will it cost me?
The booking fee is a charge applied every time a sit is confirmed. It costs £9 or $12 (or the local currency equivalent) per sit. This fee applies to both the homeowner and the sitter if they are on Basic or Standard membership plans.
Who has to pay the booking fee: the homeowner, the sitter, or both?
Both parties must pay the fee to confirm the sit, provided they are not on a Premium plan. If you are a Basic member matching with another Basic member, you both pay.
Does the booking fee apply to Premium members, or is there an exemption?
No, Premium members are exempt. The removal of booking fees is now marketed as an additional benefit of the Premium tier.
Will current members be charged immediately, or does the fee only kick in after my next renewal?
The fee only takes effect after your next membership renewal. Any sits confirmed before your renewal date will not incur the booking fee.
How does the cost of upgrading to a Premium membership compare to paying the booking fees separately?
It depends on your frequency of use. If you only sit once or twice a year, sticking with a lower tier and paying the fee is cheaper. However, if you are a frequent sitter, the cumulative cost of booking fees will eventually exceed the price difference of upgrading to Premium, making the upgrade the smarter financial choice.
