House Sitting for Solo Female Travelers

Updated for 2026 — Accurate as of February 2026.

House sitting is the most underutilized strategy in the solo female travel toolkit, and I am genuinely surprised more women do not use it. The concept is simple: homeowners who travel need someone to care for their home and usually their pets. In exchange, you stay in their home for free. No rent, no hostel fees, no hotel bills. Just you, a comfortable home (often far nicer than anything you would book), and usually a cat or dog who is delighted to have company.

I have completed over twenty house sits across eight countries, and house sitting has saved me an estimated $15,000 in accommodation costs over four years. But the financial savings are only part of the story. House sitting has also given me something that hotels and hostels cannot: the experience of living in a place rather than visiting it. When you house sit, you go to the local grocery store, you walk the dog in the neighborhood park, you figure out which cafe makes the best coffee within walking distance. You do not feel like a tourist. You feel like a temporary local.

For solo women specifically, house sitting offers an additional benefit: security. You are in a private home with a lockable door, in a residential neighborhood, often with a dog who provides both companionship and a sense of protection. This is a meaningful upgrade from shared hostel dorms in terms of both safety and comfort.

How House Sitting Works

The process is straightforward:

1. You create a profile on a house sitting platform, describing yourself, your experience with pets and homes, and your availability.
2. Homeowners list their homes with dates they need a sitter, describing their property, pets, and responsibilities.
3. You apply to sits that interest you, sending a personalized message explaining why you are a good fit.
4. The homeowner selects a sitter based on profiles, references, and communication.
5. You arrange logistics directly with the homeowner (key exchange, house rules, pet care instructions).
6. You stay for free in their home for the agreed period, caring for their property and pets.

Best House Sitting Platforms in 2026

Platform	Annual Cost	Listings	Best For
TrustedHousesitters	$129/year (sitter plan)	25,000+ active listings	Global, largest selection
MindMyHouse	$20/year	5,000+ listings	Budget-conscious, established
Aussie House Sitters	$65 AUD/year	3,000+ listings	Australia and New Zealand
HouseSitMatch	$55/year	2,000+ listings	UK and Europe
Nomador	Free basic / $89 premium	4,000+ listings	Europe, good for France
Kiwi House Sitters	$55 NZD/year	1,500+ listings	New Zealand
HouseCarers	$50/year	3,000+ listings	Global, long-standing

My Recommendation

Start with TrustedHousesitters. It is the largest platform, has the best user interface, and the verification and review system is the most robust. The $129 annual fee pays for itself with a single multi-night sit. I have used TrustedHousesitters for 80% of my sits and have consistently found high-quality opportunities.

If you are on a tight budget, MindMyHouse at $20 per year is the best value. Fewer listings but still plenty of opportunities, especially in popular travel destinations.

For Australia and New Zealand specifically, the regional platforms (Aussie House Sitters, Kiwi House Sitters) have more local listings than the global platforms.

How to Build a Winning Profile

Your profile is your resume. Homeowners receive multiple applications and will compare profiles carefully. Here is how to stand out:

Profile Photo

Use a clear, friendly photo of yourself. If you have experience with pets, include a photo of you with an animal. Multiple photos are better than one. Homeowners want to see who is staying in their home.

Bio

Write a genuine, detailed bio that covers:

• Who you are (age, profession, personality)
• Your experience with pets (breeds, species, any veterinary or animal care experience)
• Your experience with home maintenance (gardening, cleaning, basic repairs)
• Why you house sit (what you enjoy about it)
• Your travel plans and availability

What works: Specificity, warmth, and reliability. “I am a 34-year-old freelance writer who has cared for cats, dogs, and chickens. I grew up with Labradors and currently cat-sit for friends regularly” is better than “I love animals and am responsible.”

References

References are critical, especially when starting out. If you do not have house sitting references, use:

• Personal references from people who can vouch for your reliability and pet care skills
• Professional references from employers
• Pet-related references from vets, pet sitters, or friends whose pets you have cared for

After your first few sits, platform-based reviews from homeowners become your most powerful asset.

How to Get Your First Sit

The first sit is the hardest because you have no platform reviews yet. Here are strategies that work:

1. Start local. Your first sit does not need to be in Bali. Sit for friends, family, or neighbors first. Ask them to write you a reference.

2. Apply for less competitive sits. Sits in London, Paris, and Bali receive dozens of applications. Sits in smaller towns, rural areas, or during less popular times of year receive fewer. Start there.

3. Apply quickly. The best sits are taken within 24-48 hours of listing. Set up email alerts for your preferred destinations and apply as soon as new listings appear.

4. Write personalized applications. Never use a generic template. Reference the specific pets by name, mention why you are interested in the location, and explain what makes you a good fit for their particular needs. Homeowners can tell the difference between a thoughtful application and a mass-produced one.

5. Offer a video call. Suggest a video call to introduce yourself and meet the pets. This builds trust and shows professionalism.

6. Be flexible on dates. If you can be flexible with arrival and departure dates, mention it. Homeowners love sitters who can accommodate their schedule.

What to Expect: Responsibilities

House sitting responsibilities vary by sit but typically include:

Almost always:

• Feed and care for pets (following the owner’s routine)
• Keep the house clean and tidy
• Collect mail
• Water plants
• Maintain basic home security (lock doors, manage lights)

Sometimes:

• Walk dogs (frequency and duration specified)
• Administer pet medication
• Maintain a garden or yard
• Run the pool pump
• Manage a fireplace or heating system in winter

Rarely but possible:

• Care for livestock (chickens, horses, goats)
• Handle minor maintenance issues
• Manage Airbnb units on the property

Important: Clarify all responsibilities before accepting a sit. If something is not discussed, it is not your responsibility. I always request a written summary of duties from the homeowner.

Safety for Solo Women

House sitting is generally very safe, but solo women should take specific precautions:

Before Accepting a Sit

• Research the homeowner. Read their reviews from previous sitters. Look for red flags (excessive demands, poor communication, unclear expectations).
• Video call before accepting. You should meet the homeowner virtually before committing. This goes both ways: they want to know you, and you want to assess them.
• Research the neighborhood. Google Maps street view gives you a sense of the area. Is it residential? Well-lit? Accessible to shops and transport?
• Confirm emergency contacts. The homeowner should provide local emergency contacts (neighbor, friend, family member) and vet contact information for pets.
• Share your sit details with a trusted friend or family member, including the address, the homeowner’s name, and your expected dates.

During the Sit

• Change the alarm code if the homeowner provides one and allows it. Or confirm that only you and the homeowner have access during your stay.
• Meet a neighbor. Introduce yourself to at least one neighbor. This gives you a local contact and provides a layer of safety.
• Keep doors locked, especially at night.
• Trust your instincts. If anything about the situation feels wrong, contact the platform’s support team and, if necessary, leave. Your safety always comes first.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Homeowner is vague about responsibilities or expectations
• No reviews or references from previous sitters
• Resistance to a video call
• The property seems significantly different from the listing
• Requests that go beyond standard house sitting (personal errands, childcare, extensive cleaning)
• Pressure to communicate outside the platform (this removes your record of communication)

Best Destinations for House Sitting

Some destinations have a high density of house sitting opportunities due to pet ownership rates, travel culture, and homeowner awareness of the platforms.

Destination	Listing Volume	Typical Duration	Best Season
UK & Ireland	Very high	1-3 weeks	Year-round
France	High	2-4 weeks	May-September
Australia	Very high	1-4 weeks	Year-round
New Zealand	High	1-3 weeks	November-March
Spain	Moderate-high	2-4 weeks	Summer
USA (especially FL, CA)	High	1-2 weeks	Year-round
Canada	Moderate	1-3 weeks	June-September
Italy	Moderate	2-4 weeks	May-October
Portugal	Moderate	2-4 weeks	Year-round
Thailand (expats)	Low-moderate	2-8 weeks	November-March

The Financial Impact

Let me break down the actual savings from one year of house sitting:

Sit	Location	Duration	Estimated Hotel Cost	My Cost
1	Lisbon, Portugal	3 weeks	$1,680	$0
2	Devon, England	2 weeks	$1,400	$0
3	Melbourne, Australia	10 days	$1,200	$0
4	Provence, France	2 weeks	$1,800	$0
5	Vancouver, Canada	1 week	$1,050	$0
Total		9 weeks	$7,130	$129 (platform fee)

That is $7,000+ in accommodation savings for a $129 investment. The return on investment is staggering.

House Sitting vs. Other Free Accommodation

Option	Cost	Privacy	Safety	Flexibility	Pet Component
House sitting	Platform fee only	High (private home)	High	Moderate (fixed dates)	Yes (usually)
Couchsurfing	Free/$14.29/year	Low (shared home)	Variable	High	No
Workaway/WWOOF	Membership fee	Variable	Variable	Moderate	Sometimes
Hostel work exchange	Free	Low (shared dorm)	Moderate	Low	No

House sitting wins on privacy and safety, which are the two factors that matter most to solo women.

Dealing with Pet Emergencies

One of the biggest fears for new house sitters is a pet emergency. Here is how to prepare:

• Get the vet’s name, address, and phone number before the homeowner leaves
• Ask about pet insurance and whether it covers emergency visits
• Know the nearest emergency/after-hours vet
• Have the homeowner’s phone number for urgent decisions
• Keep a pet first aid kit accessible
• Document the pet’s normal behavior so you can identify changes

In twenty-plus sits, I have had two pet-related incidents: a cat with an eye infection (vet visit, antibiotics, resolved quickly) and a dog who ate something disagreeable on a walk (observation, resolved naturally). Both were manageable with the homeowner’s guidance and the vet’s support.

Final Thoughts

House sitting is one of those strategies that sounds too good to be true until you do it. Free accommodation in beautiful homes, the companionship of pets, and the experience of living like a local in destinations around the world. For solo female travelers, it adds the bonus of private, secure accommodation in residential neighborhoods.

The initial investment is small (a platform membership and time building your profile). The returns are enormous. And the experience of waking up in a sunlit apartment in Lisbon, making coffee in someone else’s kitchen, and taking their golden retriever for a walk along the river is, honestly, one of the best things about this kind of travel.

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