Trusted House sitters Membership: Pros, Cons, and Is It Worth Paying For?
Trusted Housesitters Membership: Pros, Cons, and Is It Worth Paying For?
Do you have pets and have problems traveling? Do you like animals and want to travel more? If you’ve ever wondered how to find reliable pet care while traveling or how to explore the world without paying for accommodation, TrustedHousesitters might be your solution. This platform connects homeowners and sitters for a mutually beneficial exchange, making it an amazing choice for pet lovers and budget-conscious travelers alike.
I’ve been a regular user of the platform since June 2020. It has saved me thousands of dollars every year, and I think it’s the best solution in the market. And honestly, one of the best inventions out there. A world where we can trust each other with our homes and pets?! In this article, I’ll be breaking down the pros and cons of the platform.
This article is not sponsored. These are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on them at no additional cost to you. This helps me to continue providing free content and resources, like this article! Don’t forget to use the code SIBU25 to get 25% off your TH membership!
What is Trustedhousesitters?
TrustedHousesitters is a platform where homeowners post listings for pet or house care, and sitters apply for these opportunities in exchange for free accommodation. It has housesits available in over 130 countries, it’s ideal for anyone seeking unique stays or reliable pet care. This means that anyone that has pets can sign up for the platform! It’s open to the whole world, no matter what your background or nationality is. This is a site that connects pet lovers that like to travel.
How Does TrustedHousesitters Work?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a sitter, getting started with TrustedHousesitters is simple:
For Homeowners
- Sign Up: Choose a membership plan and create a listing with photos and details about your pets, home, and sitter expectations.
- Post Your Listing: Include specifics like dates, duties, and what makes your home special. Be as clear as possible about your expectations.
- Review Applications: Sitters will apply to your listing. You can read their profiles, reviews, and references.
- Interview Sitters: Use the platform’s messaging system or video call to discuss expectations and ensure a good match.
- Confirm the Sit: Once you’ve selected a sitter, agree on terms and confirm the booking.
For Sitters
- Sign Up: Create an engaging profile with details about your experience, skills, and availability. The more pictures and details the better off you are.
- Browse Listings: Use filters to find sits that match your preferences, from apartments in cities to countryside homes.
- Apply to Listings: Write personalized messages to homeowners explaining why you’re the best fit for the sit. This is like a cover letter!
- Communicate Clearly: Discuss expectations, pet routines, and house rules before finalizing the sit.
- Enjoy the Sit: Care for the pets, the home, sometimes even the plants, and get to travel the world this way!
Which membership to choose?
Honestly, if you’re only going to use it once per year, I’d go for the basic membership. However, if you know you’re going to use it at least a few times per year, go for the premium membership.
This has never happened to me, but I think the best part of it is the cancellation policy. If any of the two parties cancel, you’ll get financial backup in the shape of a pet hotel, sitters – and if you’re a sitter, they’ll cover your hotel for up to 2 weeks. The 2 free airport lounges are also a nice touch.
If you’ll be using this platform a few times per year, I can assure you that you’ll get your money’s worth within 2-4 days. Pet owners, imagine how much it would cost to have someone take care of your babies AND stay over every night? Sitters, how much would it cost to get an Airbnb per night for a whole apartment or home? Don’t forget that the property is not shared with anyone. You do the math. THIS is why I save thousands every year.
If you have a home, you can choose BOTH memberships. Meaning that you can have people petsit for you while you’re out traveling, and you can apply for housesits while someone is housesitting for you!
Pros of TrustedHousesitters
For Homeowners
- Affordable and Reliable: TrustedHousesitters is a cost-effective alternative to kennels, pet boarding and having sitters.
- Happy Pets: Pets stay in their own home with one-on-one care, reducing stress and maintaining routines.
- Global Network: The platform’s extensive reach ensures you’ll find sitters almost anywhere. People might even travel to you! And you don’t need to cover their expenses.
- Peace of Mind: Verified sitters with reviews and references make it easy to trust someone with your home.
For Sitters
- Free Accommodation: Save thousands on accommodation by staying in beautiful homes around the world. I’m writing this from a 3-week housesit in Malaysia!
- Cultural Immersion: Experience destinations like a local while living in real neighborhoods.
- Pet Companionship: Many sits involve animals, perfect for pet lovers missing their own furry friends, like myself!
- Flexible Travel: Choose sits that fit your schedule, lifestyle, and preferences. You can do a weekend getaway in New York or a few weeks in the Italian countryside. Thousands of sits to choose from!
- Remote work-friendly: If you work remotely, like myself, you can filter by WiFi options to make sure you can work from anywhere!
Cons of TrustedHousesitters
- Membership Fee: It’s not free and it’s more expensive than the other housesitting platforms. But I’ve tried them all and this is the best one.
- High Competition: Popular sits can attract many applications, so a strong profile is absolutely necessary.
- Responsibility: Sitters must prioritize pet care and house duties, which may limit flexibility during the sit. Read the requirements and see if it fits YOUR schedule. If I want to sightsee, I go for a more chill one. If I want to get work done, I’m more flexible about staying in.
- Unmatched Expectations: Miscommunication between homeowners and sitters can lead to misunderstandings. But this can be easily solved with a video call and having a proper guide as to what’s expected.
- No Payment: If you’re looking to make money (like with Rover), this isn’t the right platform. Your food, transportation and personal expenses are not covered. But if you’re looking to travel… THIS is an incredible platform to do so.
My Experience with TrustedHousesitters
Ah, this is a life-changing story. I lost everything during the pandemic: my savings, investments, and my home. I started housesitting to get back on my feet in June 2020. People were desperate to leave Germany (where I was living then) and couldn’t find anyone to take care of their pets. I stepped in, and from there housesat all over Europe that summer. This is what ultimately allowed me to get back on my feet.
I’m no longer in a dire situation. But I have continued using the platform. It’s a win-win-win for everyone involved. Affordable pet care, better than having a sitter check in once a day, I get free accommodation, and this is better than Airbnbs.
I used it extensively all over the US while road tripping around the country. Every time I’m in California visiting my family I use it. It’s my go-to platform when I spend summers in Europe (I spent a whole month in Switzerland! That alone saved me at least $4-5k). Whenever I have to spend time in Dubai I use it there. And now I’m in Malaysia over the holidays in an amazing apartment. I live like a local and spend no money doing it.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of TrustedHousesitters
- Create an Engaging Profile: Highlight your skills, experience, and why you’re passionate about pets or house care. Homeowners, show me pictures of your home. What are the perks of your neighborhood?
- Use High-Quality Photos: Homeowners should showcase their home and pets, while sitters should include pictures of themselves (some ideally with some pets) to show their personality.
- Communicate Expectations Clearly: Discuss pet routines, house rules, and mutual expectations upfront.
- Apply Early: For high-demand locations, send thoughtful applications as soon as listings go live.
- Leverage Reviews: Reviews from past experiences build trust and increase your chances of finding matches.
What about the negative reviews?
I’ve found that most of the reviews posted on Trustpilot have come from either owners or pet sitters that have not been satisfied because they didn’t communicate well. I also know of people who have complained of not finding sitters or petsits, but they don’t go out of their way to get reviews, or actively contact people to house sit for them.
NO platform is perfect. NONE. Anywhere in the world. But after using this one since June 2020, I can easily say that it all comes down to open communication and talking about expectations beforehand.
How to get started on Trustedhousesitters?
This is just a basic guide and review of what the platform is like. If you have more questions, I suggest you read through my in-depth guide on how to set up your profile (for both homeowners and sitters), the expectations you should have, etc. Don’t forget to use the code SIBU25 to get 25% off your TH membership!
Is TrustedHousesitters Worth It?
For both homeowners and sitters, TrustedHousesitters offers incredible value. Homeowners can travel knowing their pets and homes are cared for, while sitters enjoy free stays and unique experiences worldwide.
The membership fee is easily justified by the savings and peace of mind the platform provides. Whether you’re a traveler seeking a new way of travel or a pet owner looking for reliable care while traveling, you have to try out TrustedHousesitters. Looking for more travel hacks? Make sure to check out my other blogs or sign up for a 1-1 call with me so I can help you out personally!
Hey there, and welcome to Go Global with Sibu! I’m a global citizen that has been living and traveling around the world since 2005 – all through budget travel, scholarships, study/work and living abroad opportunities. I share everything I’ve learned over the years here – to prove to you that you don’t need money or privilege to enjoy everything that this world has to offer.