TrustedHousesitters Review: Can You Really Travel Rent-Free?
As a digital nomad, I’m always looking for creative ways to travel without spending too much, so I can travel longer. That’s how I stumbled across TrustedHousesitters, and naturally, I wondered: is it actually worth it for digital nomads?
Spoiler: Yes… but it's definitely not for everyone.
If you love animals (of all kinds!) and are flexible with your dates, it can be an excellent way to save on accommodation and experience staying in a local home. But it’s not without its quirks and challenges.
Personally, TrustedHousesitters has taken me for free to places I never would’ve thought to visit, all in exchange for caring for other people’s pets. But how does it actually work? What should you be aware of before jumping in? And how do you even get accepted for your first sit?
In this honest guide, I’ll share the good, the weird, and everything in between to help you decide if TrustedHousesitters could work for your nomadic lifestyle too.
TrustedHousesitters: Quick Verdict
TrustedHousesitters for Digital Nomads
Before trying TrustedHousesitters, I didn’t think pet sitting would fit into the digital nomad lifestyle. I imagined it would be too limiting or too much responsibility. But after a few sits, I completely changed my mind.
The biggest benefit is, of course, saving on accommodation. Constantly paying for Airbnbs or short-term rentals adds up fast. With TrustedHousesitters, I’ve stayed in homes I never could’ve afforded otherwise, for free. In exchange, I looked after someone’s pets. That’s it. Just a bit of my time and care.
Beyond the money, it’s also been one of the most grounding ways I’ve found to travel. You get to live in real homes with everything you actually need: a kitchen, a workspace, and a sense of routine that can be hard to find when you’re always on the move. Taking care of the pets adds structure to my days, and honestly, it’s nice to have someone to come home to... even if it’s a dog or a very judgmental cat!
That said, it’s not the same as booking a place and being completely free. You’re responsible for someone’s animals and their home, and that has to come first. But if you're already used to planning your days around work calls and time zones, this can fit in pretty naturally.
It won’t be the right setup for every trip, but when it works, it really works. And for me, it’s helped stretch my travel budget and made new places feel a lot more like home.
How Does TrustedHousesitters Work?
It has both a website and an app (one of the best for accommodation), both very simple and intuitive. You can join as a pet sitter, a pet owner, or both. If you’re looking to become a sitter, here’s how it works:
1. Sign up
You can create an account using your Gmail. You’ll be able to browse listings right away, but to apply for sits, you’ll need to choose a membership plan. More on those later in the next section!
2. Complete your profile
This part matters. Add clear photos (bonus points if they include animals), write a compelling bio, and include any references you can get, even from friends or family who’ve seen you care for pets. You’ll also need to complete the platform’s ID verification step.
3. Browse listings
TrustedHousitters has a world map like Airbnb where you can explore available opportunities and apply to the ones you are interested in. You will find everything from dogs and cats to farm animals. You can apply filters based on your preferences and dates or locations you are searching in.
4. Communication
If a homeowner likes your profile, you’ll likely have a conversation to go over expectations, sometimes through messages, sometimes via a video call. It’s a chance for both sides to ask questions and make sure it’s a good fit.
5. Confirmation
Once accepted, you coordinate the final details, and that’s it! Book your tickets to arrive.
One thing to know is that it is an exchange. That means accommodation in return for pet care. The pet owner covers anything related to the animals: food, vet visits, etc. You’ll just need to cover your personal expenses like travel insurance, transport, and meals.
How Much Does TrustedHousesitters Cost?
You can explore listings on TrustedHousesitters for free. You can see where the sits are, what animals are involved, and how long they last.
But to actually apply, you’ll need a membership. As of 2025, here’s what it costs:
For Sitters:
- Basic: $9.95/month
- Standard: $12.45/month
- Premium: $19.95/month
For Pet Owners:
- Basic: $11.60/month
- Standard: $16.60/month
- Premium: $22.45/month
For Both (Sitter + Owner Combo):
- Basic: $17.45/month
- Standard: $24.10/month
- Premium: $31.60/month
Each plan is billed annually and comes with different benefits, such as 24/7 veterinary assistance, insurance, and access to airport VIP lounges, depending on the plan chosen.
Is TrustedHousesitters Safe?
From my experience, it’s been incredibly safe. In fact, before I signed up, I did a deep dive into reviews and was surprised to find almost no red flags. TrustedHousesitters actually has one of the lowest rates of reported fraud among platforms like this, which gave me a lot more confidence going in.
Here’s what I personally noticed and appreciated about how the platform handles safety:
- Identity verification: Every user goes through a basic ID check. I had to upload a photo of my passport and take a real-time selfie. It took just a few minutes and felt reassuring, knowing other members had done the same.
- Background checks: If you're based in the U.S., they offer free background checks for sitters (I’m not, so I didn’t go through this step). It’s not required for everyone, but it’s a nice option if you’re eligible.
- Review system: When I started out, I didn’t have any sits under my belt, so I asked a couple of pet-loving friends to write reference letters for me. That really helped my profile stand out until I started collecting actual reviews from house sits.
- Prior communication: Before each sit, I always had a conversation with the pet owner either via chat or on a quick video call. It made a huge difference. Not only did we both feel more comfortable, but we also had a chance to set expectations clearly and avoid surprises.
Tips to Land Your First Stay
Getting your first sit on TrustedHousesitters can feel a bit intimidating, but once I figured out what works, things got much easier. Here’s what really helped me:
1. Put love into your profile
Your profile is everything since it’s basically your first impression. I spent time making mine as detailed as possible. I included photos of me with animals (even past pets or pets I’d looked after for friends), shared a bit about my lifestyle, my work setup as a remote worker, and why I wanted to housesit. I also asked a few friends with pets to write short references, which helped a lot when I didn’t have any official sits yet.
2. Always write a personal message
This one’s huge. I quickly realized that copying and pasting a generic message didn’t get me anywhere. Instead, I started writing short, thoughtful notes for each listing. I mentioned the pet’s name, something specific I noticed in their profile, or why I felt like a good fit. It makes a difference. After all, these people are trusting you with their home and their furry family.
3. Target sit-friendly countries first
From what I've heard, places like Australia and New Zealand are great starting points. They’ve got a strong housesitting culture and tons of listings. Also, longer sits or ones with multiple pets might seem like a lot, but they’re easier to land when you're just starting out... and they help build your credibility fast!
4. Be quick and clear
Listings fill up fast. Only 5 to 10 people can apply per sit, so I kept notifications on and applied as soon as something interesting popped up. And once I started chatting with homeowners, I made sure to respond quickly and clearly, just to show I was reliable and ready.
Landing your first sit is the hardest part, but once you do, it gets so much easier. Just be genuine, patient, and a little proactive!
Final Verdict: Is TrustedHousesitters Worth It?
Honestly? For me, it’s been 100% worth it.
TrustedHousesitters has given me the chance to travel more slowly, live in real homes, and experience places in a way I wouldn’t have through hotels or short-term rentals. I’ve had mornings with cats curled up on my lap, weekends exploring new cities with a dog by my side, and quiet evenings in homes that felt like my own, even if just for a little while.
Of course, it’s not just a free ride. There’s real responsibility involved. You’re caring for someone’s pets and their home, and that requires trust, effort, and showing up fully. You do need to be reliable, flexible, and genuinely love animals. Otherwise, it’s not the right fit.
But if that sounds like you, and you’re a digital nomad looking for a more meaningful way to travel, I’d absolutely recommend giving TrustedHousesitters a try in 2025. It’s been one of the most rewarding choices I’ve made while working remotely!
Ready to Try TrustedHousesitters as a Digital Nomad?
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