The Pros and Cons of House Sitting & FAQs

Two years ago, our lives took an exciting turn as we stepped into a new chapter of travelling full time and house-sitting. This switch took us from our regular UK home routine to living, working, and exploring destinations we had only ever imagined. It has been an incredible adventure, filled with experiences that have significantly broadened our horizons and enriched our lives. But isn’t just about travel; it’s a unique lifestyle and there are pros and cons of house sitting. In this blog, we share our experience and an insider’s perspective on this distinctive way of living, discussing the pros and cons of house sitting based on our first-hand experience.

What is House Sitting?

House sitting is a service where people look after a homeowner’s property (and sometimes pets) while they are away. The length of time can range from a few days to several months. The homeowner gets free security, maintenance and pet care as well as peace of mind that emergencies are taken care of and mitigated. The house sitter gets free accommodation in return, which provides a fantastic opportunity to live like a local and experience new destinations.

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What Are the Benefits of House Sitting?

House sitting has provided us with innumerable benefits that have saved us money and enhanced our travel experiences.

Cost Savings

One of the most significant pros of house-sitting is the substantial cost savings. Instead of budgeting for expensive hotels or rentals, we’ve stayed in beautiful homes free of charge.

This benefit drastically reduces our living expenses, particularly for long-term stays. It makes our travel adventures more affordable, allowing us to stretch our budget further and travel for extended periods.

Over the years, we estimate that we’ve saved thousands of pounds on accommodation costs alone, money that we have put towards experiencing more of the countries we travel to.

Immersive Experience

House sitting has allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures. It has provided the unique opportunity to live like a local rather than just a tourist passing through. We’ve shopped at local markets, cooked traditional recipes using locally sourced ingredients, and engaged with community life in a way that traditional tourism rarely allows. This cultural immersion has deepened our understanding and appreciation of the places we visit, providing a richer, more authentic travel experience.

Comforts of Home

One of the key pros of house-sitting is the ability to enjoy the comforts of a home. This aspect is often missing when staying in hotels or hostels.

Having access to a full kitchen has allowed us to cook our own meals, a blessing for those times when we’ve craved a home-cooked meal. Laundry facilities have saved us from the often high cost and inconvenience of laundrettes. Moreover, having comfortable living spaces, including a lounge and sometimes even a garden, has provided a level of relaxation and privacy that traditional accommodation options don’t.

Pet Care

As animal lovers, house sitting has often come with the joy of taking care of pets. Looking after a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, fish, and chickens, has been a wonderful experience. This pet care element has given us a temporary pet without the long-term commitment, adding an extra dimension of joy and companionship to our travels. It’s also a great learning experience, especially if you’re interested in animals and their care.

Meeting New People

House sitting has provided us with countless opportunities to meet many wonderful people; locals, ex-pats and fellow travellers. From the homeowners themselves to friendly neighbours and community members, these connections have elevated our travel in general. It’s these personal interactions, shared stories and insights that add depth to our travels, creating lasting memories and often lifelong friendships.

Discovering New Places

Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects and significant pros of house sitting has been discovering new, often off-the-beaten-track places.

We’ve found ourselves in charming, lesser-known destinations that we might never have discovered or chosen to visit otherwise. These unexpected treasures, these serendipitous discoveries, have often turned out to be the highlights of our travel adventures! Whether it’s a quaint town, a beautiful nature reserve, or a vibrant local festival, these are the experiences that make travel truly exciting and rewarding.

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What Are the Challenges of House Sitting?

For us, there are no cons to house sitting, so we’ll call them challenges instead. As rewarding as house sitting has been, it also has its challenges. Here are some that we’ve had to navigate over the years.

Responsibility

The first challenge to consider is the responsibility that comes with house-sitting. Being entrusted with someone’s home, belongings, and sometimes their beloved pets is not something to be taken lightly.

We’ve found ourselves in a few unexpected situations, from handling minor maintenance issues like a leaking tap to managing pet emergencies. These situations require competence, resourcefulness, and calm under pressure.

Being a house sitter often means you’re the first line of defence when problems arise, and that’s a responsibility that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Flexibility

Sometimes, house-sitting requires a degree of flexibility. Unlike traditional travel, where you set the dates, house sitting means aligning your travel plans with the homeowner. This lack of control can sometimes be challenging, especially when trying to coordinate multiple house sits or planning around events and activities.

It requires a certain level of adaptability and willingness to compromise. Also, it’s important to remember that house-sitting is not just about free accommodation but providing a valuable service to homeowners.

Availability of Opportunities

Finding the right house-sitting opportunity can sometimes be challenging, especially in less popular or rural areas. There’s also competition to consider as house sitting has become increasingly popular. It’s not uncommon to apply for a house sit with dozens of other potential sitters, particularly for desirable locations. This aspect requires patience, persistence, and often a bit of luck. A well-written application and good references can go a long way in helping secure a house sit.

Lack of Services

You have no access to the services typically provided by hotels and apartments, so house sitters deal with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and other household chores. While this isn’t a problem, it can come as a bit of a surprise if you’re used to the convenience of hotel services. The reality of house-sitting is that it’s often not a holiday but a lifestyle choice – one that comes with responsibilities.

Isolation

If you’re house-sitting in remote or rural locations, isolation can sometimes be a challenge. Especially in the beginning, when you’re unfamiliar with the area and don’t know anyone, it can feel a bit lonely.

However, we’ve found that this also opens up opportunities to connect with local communities, make new friends, and explore places we wouldn’t have known about otherwise. We’ve learned to see this initial sense of isolation not as a con of house-sitting but as a catalyst for new adventures and experiences.

Our House Sitting Journey

We started our house-sitting adventure in Europe, experiencing the culture of Barcelona and a Parisian suburb. Then, a four-month stint on the beautiful, remote island of Bequia in the Caribbean took our journey to another level.

From there, we housesat in several other Caribbean islands, such as Grenada, St Vincent, and the British Virgin Islands. We’ve also explored parts of Europe, including Portugal and Albania. Bequia, a place we knew nothing about initially, became a favourite spot we’ve returned to three times!

Frequently Asked Questions About House Sitting

Can you make a living house sitting?

Yes, you can, and some people do charge for their services. However, if you’re travelling to another country, you should check visa requirements. It’s highly unlikely you will legally be allowed to charge for your service without a working visa.

Do house sitters have to clean?

Yes, you have to take care of the home as if it were your own. Actually, you have to take care of it better than if it were your own. We always aim for homeowners to return with the place exactly as they left it or in better condition. Sometimes, you’ll be lucky enough that there are housekeepers and gardeners. Others, you’ll have to do all the chores yourself.

Do house sitters get food?

It’s unlikely that sitters get food when house sitting. We’ve never heard of house sitters getting food included. However, we tend to do prolonged house sits, so the cost of food wouldn’t be worth it for the homeowners.

Do house sitters get travel paid for?

There are very rare occasions homeowners may pay for travel, but it is incredibly unlikely. We pay for our travel and food – homeowners take care of the bills and provide us with accommodation, and usually a car.

Why do people want house sitters?

People seek house sitters for a variety of reasons. The primary reason is to ensure the security of their home while they are away. With a house sitter, the property is less vulnerable to theft or vandalism. Secondly, if homeowners have pets, house sitters provide a valuable service by allowing the animals to remain in their familiar environment, reducing their stress and anxiety, and owners don’t have to pay for kennels.

In addition to this, house sitters can maintain routine home maintenance tasks and chores, such as gardening, collecting mail, or even simple repairs. Lastly, having a house sitter allows homeowners to have peace of mind knowing their property and pets (if applicable) are being taken care of while they’re away.

Can house sitters have guests?

This is entirely up to the homeowners. Some may be fine with it, while others might not allow guests at all. It’s important to discuss this upfront and respect the homeowners’ preferences. If guests are allowed, they should be respectful of the home and its rules.

What skills do you need to be a house sitter?

Being a successful house sitter requires a range of skills. Reliability and good communication are crucial for understanding and meeting the homeowner’s expectations.

Problem-solving skills come in handy when dealing with unexpected situations. If the house sit involves pet care, experience with animals is a plus.

Finally, general housekeeping skills are important, as maintaining the cleanliness and tidiness of the home is usually part of the job.

How do you find house-sitting jobs?

There are several platforms online where you can find house-sitting jobs, such as TrustedHousesitters, Nomador, and MindMyHouse. Creating a robust profile and gathering strong references can help increase your chances of securing a house sit. Networking is also an excellent way to find opportunities, as word-of-mouth referrals can be very powerful.

Personally, we use a mixture of TrustedHousesitters and networking to secure our house sits.

What should I do before accepting a house sit?

Before accepting a house sit, there are several key things you should do:

Firstly, be 100% sure you can be in the location on the agreed-upon dates. This might mean checking flight availability and prices, cross-referencing the house sitting dates with your calendar, and ensuring the house sit fits within your budget.

Secondly, thoroughly understand what the house sit requires. This might include pet care, gardening, or home maintenance tasks. Ask the homeowners to provide a detailed list of your responsibilities and confirm you are comfortable and capable of performing all the tasks required. If you have any allergies or physical limitations, for example, these could impact your ability to fulfil certain responsibilities.

Next, always meet the homeowners beforehand. This gives both parties a chance to ask questions, clarify expectations, and get a feel for each other’s personalities and lifestyles. If the homeowners are local, try to arrange an in-person meeting. If they’re not, arrange a video call. Use this opportunity to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with the house sit. This could include questions about the homeowners’ expectations, the local area, emergency procedures, and anything else that comes to mind.

Finally, remember that the house sit has to be a good fit for both you and the homeowners. Just as homeowners are looking for the right person to take care of their home and possibly pets, you should be looking for a house sit that suits your skills, interests, and travel plans. If, after discussing all the details, you don’t feel that the house sit is a good fit, it’s perfectly fine to politely decline and move on to the next opportunity.

Remember, the success of a house sit often comes down to clear communication, thorough preparation, and a good match between the house sitter and the homeowner. By taking these steps before accepting a house sit, you can ensure a positive experience for everyone involved, despite any potential pros and cons of house sitting.

Final Thoughts on the Pros and Cons of House Sitting

House sitting has significantly transformed our lives, gifting us with unparalleled travel experiences. Despite its challenges, the benefits of house-sitting far outweigh the downsides, offering unique cultural immersion, pet companionship, and significant cost savings. It’s about finding the right fit, being adaptable, and seeing each challenge as a learning opportunity.

As we continue our journey, we hope our experiences inspire others to explore this lifestyle. If you’re interested in house sitting or looking for someone to care for your home and pets, this blog hopefully provides a comprehensive insight.

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