How TrustedHousesitters changed my life
My personal experience with pet sitting in exchange for free accomodation.
I’ve always been frugal in life, but when it comes to budgeting for travel, I become a true champion, constantly striving to secure better deals with each new trip.
To do so you need to ask yourself What am I willing to let go in order to spend less? More comfort equal more money and travelling alone also means there will be no buddy to share expences with, especially when it comes to accomodation.
There are many options to earn free lodging offering some kind of service in return and TrustedHousesitters is one of them.
When I stumbled upon this app I was instantly hooked. Beautiful houses all to myself? For free? And it all comes with a set of furry friends? SIGN ME IN.
Well, in fact I did…and this is how it went so far.
What's TrustedHousesitters?
TrustedHousesitters.com is a website that comes with its own mobile phone app. You can easily download it and create an account going through an ID verification process that I personally find very reassuring since,keep in mind,you’ll eventually be showing up at a stranger’s house.
Let’s address this point right away while we’re at it.
Is TrustedHouseSitters SAFE?
Coming from my own personal experience YES.
I go further into details on TrustedHouseSitters safety tips here.
How does TrustedHousesitters work?
Registration
You can register as either a sitter (offering pet/house sitting services) or as an owner (requiring a sitter and offering your home as accommodation). Both options require a subscription payment.
Payment of a subscription
There are several subscription plans to choose from, each with different price and features.
You are probably interested in the one I am currently using which is a basic 1-year plan that cost me around €115 after applying a discount code at checkout (which you can easily find online with a quick search).
Let’s do some math. So far, I’ve used the app for 4 stays, totaling 50 nights. That works out to just over $2 per night. I’m only 6 months into my subscription (halfway through the plan), and I’m already satisfied with the savings I’ve made.
Find a sit
Once your profile is set up, it’s time to start applying for sits. However, applying with a new profile can be challenging, as most owners (rightly) prefer sitters who already have reviews. There I explain How to write an application for TrustedHousesitters successfully.
You take the responsability!
Once the sit is agreed with the owner you will be staying at their house and taking care of their beloved pets! It’s a mutual exchange based on trust and respect. You’ll get the amazing opportunity to experience their personal spaces and glimpse into their everyday life. In return, they’ll expect you to be responsible and fully present during your stay.
The downside of this platform is the complexity of their ambiguous insurance policies. Although TrustedHousesitters offers some support during your experience, you should be aware that you will most likely have to handle problems on your own or rely on your host’s politeness.
Don’t worry tho most owners KNOW you are there for vacation and they will encourage you to take it easy and go out exploring.
Why choose TrustedHousesitters for your next solo trip?
Saving money
which also means travelling more in the future!
You won’t be alone
Having to look after a pet means never coming home to an empty house.
Connections with locals
Needing to call someone if something goes wrong along our trip is a possibility that we often do not think about. Remember that the people you’re sitting for likely have neighbors and family nearby who can help in such situations.
It happened to me to be in need for a rush ride to the airport once. Another time I had a concern about the safety of certain city areas visiting solo as a girl. Both cases where resolved easily with a text message from my host who helped me while being on their own vacation! Especially if you’re travelling alone always a having a backup plan is crucial.
A genuine experience that it is not just vacationing in an hotel.
Doing groceries, cooking a meal, watching TV on the sofa, walking the dog in the evening, and cleaning—this may sound like a list of chores we escape from during holidays. But living a small, parallel life, pretending to be another version of yourself, can be surprisingly healing. If you embrace this mindset, you’ll feel at home in every corner of the earth.
TrustedHousesitters safety tips
Require a videocall ahead of your meeting
It may sound obvious, but it really isn’t! Many people with good intentions don’t consider that you might be hyper-aware of the potential dangers.
Read the reviews
Just like hosts, you can also rate your experience with pet owners as a sitter.
Although I’ve seen very few negative reviews on this app, it’s possible that things don’t work out due to basic personal habits, such as hygiene boundaries, to name one.
Check ahead to avoid any unpleasant surprises!
Listen to your guts
If something inside you is screaming “This is wrong” DO NOT HESITATE to make a decision.
This could mean refusing a sit if you sense bad energy from your host, or calling the owner immediately if you think something is wrong with their pet.
Do not agree a sit just because you really want to visit a certain location!
In certain destinations, it can be very hard to land a sit due to the high number of applications and the few hosts available in that area. Some hosts may require specific skills, such as administering medication to pets. It might be tempting to “learn on the spot” just to get the job, but that won’t benefit anyone, especially the pets.
How to write your application on TrustedHousesitters successfully
Starting from scratch with zero reviews can be challenging, but these are the things that will increase your chances of landing a sit over other applicants:
Mentions in your application the names of owners and pets and engage in a conversation about specific details from their listing.
This way, the owner will know you’re not just copying and pasting a pre-made text saved on your notes app. Ask questions and highlight how your personal skills can meet their specific needs.
Try to land your first sit near you
Even if your goal is to travel very far and for long periods of time using this platform (which is entirely possible) it’s important to create a solid first review.
Landing a sit close to home is a great investment in the future of your profile.
This way, you can easily meet with the owner before your stay or apply for a last-minute sit that others may hesitate to take due to the short notice.
Search for owners who match your vibe
Sometimes, you just know. Reading owners’ profile descriptions is key to understanding which environments you’ll fit into best. Matches happen naturally when both parties share similar hobbies, professions, or lifestyles!
My review of TrustedHouseSitter
My overall take so far is as simple as: life changing.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this. This platform is the reason I got into solo traveling in the first place, allowing me to stay away from home for long periods while sticking to a tight budget. I started out reluctant and a bit fearful of all the things that could go wrong, but one sit led to another, and I began to adjust to the thrill of it.
I met people who were open to sharing much more with me than just a duty.
I can confidetly say that TrustedHousesitters is a well landed project,a tool for connecting people in an era where we’re taught to avoid others.
