Quick Facts
What You'll Do
House sitting means staying in a homeowner's residence while they are away - whether for a weekend trip, a two-week vacation, or a multi-month work assignment abroad. Your job is to keep the home secure, maintain normal routines, and care for any pets or plants. Think of yourself as a trusted caretaker rather than just a security guard.
A typical house sitting day involves checking that doors and windows are secure, collecting mail so the home looks occupied, watering plants on schedule, feeding and walking any pets, and doing light tidying to keep the space clean. You may also handle minor issues like resetting a tripped breaker or calling a plumber in an emergency - this is exactly why homeowners value trustworthy sitters over automated security systems.
Common house sitting responsibilities include:
- Property security and deterring burglary
- Mail and package collection
- Pet care (feeding, walking, medication)
- Plant watering and garden maintenance
- Light housekeeping and tidying
- Managing tradespeople and deliveries
- Regular photo updates to owners
- Minor emergency response
Earnings Breakdown
House sitting pay varies by location, number of pets, length of assignment, and property type. Urban assignments with pets typically pay the most on a daily basis.
| Level | Daily Rate | Weekly Earnings | Monthly (2 assignments) | Best Case Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner 0-5 reviews | $25 - $35/day | $175 - $245 | $500 - $800 | $1,000 - $1,400 |
| Intermediate 5-20 reviews | $40 - $55/day | $280 - $385 | $900 - $1,400 | $1,500 - $2,500 |
| Expert 20+ reviews, luxury homes | $60 - $75+/day | $420 - $525 | $1,500 - $2,500 | $3,000+ |
Note: Some premium assignments with multiple pets, luxury properties, or in high-cost cities like NYC, San Francisco, or London pay $75-$125 per day. Multi-week assignments also often include free accommodation, which has its own economic value if you can reduce your own rent costs.
Startup Costs
House sitting is one of the lowest barrier side hustles to start. Your main investment is a platform membership and a background check.
| Item | Cost | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrustedHousesitters membership | $35 - $129/yr | Recommended | Standard sitter plan is $35/yr. Combined homeowner+sitter plan is $129/yr if you want to list your own home too. |
| Background check | $20 - $40 | Recommended | Many homeowners require a verified background check. Adding it to your profile significantly increases bookings. |
| Professional headshot photo | $0 - $50 | Recommended | A good photo taken in natural light is free. Profile photos are crucial - they are the first thing homeowners see. |
| Reference letters | $0 | Required | Ask 2-3 past employers, landlords, or community members. Attach PDF versions to your profile applications. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Low-stress way to earn supplemental income
- Free accommodation reduces your own living costs
- Flexible scheduling between assignments
- Travel to new neighborhoods and cities
- Minimal physical labor involved
- Builds a trusted professional reputation over time
Cons
- Income is irregular and assignment-based
- Requires leaving your own home for multi-day periods
- Responsibility for someone else's property
- Holiday peak times fill quickly with competition
- Getting first review requires patience
- Some homeowners have very specific routines to follow
How to Get Started
- 1
Create a complete TrustedHousesitters profile
Your profile is your resume. Include a warm professional headshot, a detailed bio explaining your reliability, any pets you own (showing pet comfort), your professional background, and links to any social profiles that show your character. Incomplete profiles are consistently passed over for complete ones.
- 2
Gather strong references before applying
Contact 2-3 trusted people - a past employer, a landlord, a neighbor, or a community leader - and ask for a short written reference. Attach these as PDFs to your profile and your assignment applications. References from people who can attest to your responsibility with property carry the most weight.
- 3
Apply to 5-10 assignments simultaneously
Your first application is the hardest sell because you have no verified reviews yet. Send personalized applications to multiple listings at once. Address the homeowner by name, mention specifics about their home or pets from their listing, and explain exactly why you are the right fit. Generic applications get ignored.
- 4
Over-deliver on your first assignment
Send daily photo updates without being asked. Leave the home cleaner than you found it. Write a detailed handover note when you leave. These small actions turn your first client into a glowing review writer. One exceptional review does more for your profile than ten adequate ones.
- 5
Build toward 10 verified reviews
The platform's algorithm and homeowner trust both shift dramatically at 10 reviews. Until then, focus on any assignment that can earn you a verified review, even if the pay is lower than your target. Accept shorter assignments in your local area to minimize your own inconvenience while building your reputation.
Where to Find House Sitting Clients
Affiliate note: links above will connect to platform signup pages. Platform recommendations are based on earning potential and ease of starting, not commission rates.
Taxes as a House Sitter
You'll owe self-employment tax
Paid house sitting income is self-employment income. You owe 15.3% self-employment tax plus income tax. Keep detailed records of all assignments and expenses. If you receive free accommodation as your compensation, that value may also be taxable - consult a tax professional.
Calculate My Tax Bill - FreeKey tax rules for house sitters
- ✓Track all paid assignments in a spreadsheet with dates, client names, and amounts received.
- ✓Deduct transportation costs to get to and from assignments, plus any supplies you purchase specifically for sitting jobs.
- ✓Platform membership fees (TrustedHousesitters, HouseSitter.com) are deductible business expenses.
- ✓Set aside 25-30% of each payment for federal and state taxes. Pay quarterly if you expect to owe over $1,000.