You sit down after breakfast with a map of Spain open on the table. Not a plan, just a thought. A few weeks in the south, maybe. You check accommodation prices and close the browser before you get too far. That part stops a lot of people. But some retirees have found a way around it that has nothing to do with discounts or loyalty points. They stay in other people’s homes while those people are away. In exchange, they look after the pets, water the plants, and keep the place lived in. No rent changes hands. The homeowner gets peace of mind, and the sitter gets a place to stay that would otherwise cost a small fortune.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or travel advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions about travel insurance, visa requirements, or long-term property arrangements.
House sitting works because it removes the single biggest cost of travel — accommodation — without asking you to sleep on a couch or compromise on comfort. Retirees are especially well suited to it because they have flexibility, life experience, and the kind of reliability homeowners actively look for.
It is not a new idea, but it has grown quickly. TrustedHousesitters, one of the largest platforms, reported 14% year-over-year membership growth between 2023 and 2024, with retirees as one of the fastest-growing demographics. The reason is straightforward. A pension or fixed income stretches further when you are not paying for a hotel or holiday rental every night.
What House Sitting Actually Involves
The arrangement is simpler than it sounds, but it helps to know what you are signing up for before you start.
You agree to stay in someone’s home while they are away. Your responsibilities depend on the listing. Most involve feeding and walking a dog, cleaning a litter box, or keeping a cat company. Some include watering plants, collecting mail, or simple garden care. The homeowner gets a free housesitter who treats the place with care. You get a furnished home, usually with a kitchen, laundry, and a bedroom, for the duration of the stay. No money exchanges hands for the accommodation itself. You cover your own food, transport, and personal expenses.
Most sits are unpaid, but the value of the accommodation is substantial. A month in a flat in Lisbon or a cottage in the Cotswolds would cost thousands. Through house sitting, that cost disappears. The trade-off is responsibility. You are not a guest. You are the person trusted to keep the home running and the animals happy.
Most house sits last between one week and three months. Longer sits are common in rural areas and during holiday seasons. Shorter sits near cities fill quickly, especially in popular travel months.
Why Retirees Make Good Housesitters
Homeowners are not looking for adventure travellers in their twenties. They are looking for someone reliable, observant, and comfortable managing a household. That describes a lot of people in their sixties and seventies. Retirees have decades of experience maintaining a home, handling a plumbing issue, or keeping a garden alive. They are also available for longer sits, which many homeowners prefer because it means less turnover and fewer strangers through the house.
Bernadine Swale, a retired pharmacist who housesits regularly, put it plainly in House Sitting Magazine: “I’ve had the opportunity to stay in amazing homes and explore the world, all while hanging out with some of the sweetest pets.” That is the experience most sitters describe. It is not glamorous. It is practical, and for many, it is deeply satisfying.
Retired sitters are among the highest-rated demographics on major platforms, with homeowners reporting higher satisfaction scores on average.
– The Travelling Housesitters
There is also a quieter benefit. After retirement, some people miss having a routine and a reason to get up at a certain time. Caring for a pet provides that structure without the long-term commitment of ownership. You get the companionship of a dog or cat for a few weeks, then move on to the next place. It is a way to travel without the loneliness that can sometimes creep in on solo trips.
Getting Started Without the Overwhelm
The main question people ask is: how do you find these sits? The answer is a membership-based website. You pay an annual fee, create a profile, and apply to listings that match your preferences. The homeowner reviews your application, and if it is a good fit, you agree on dates and details.
TrustedHousesitters is the largest platform, with listings in over 140 countries. It charges an annual membership fee for sitters, which gives you unlimited access to apply for sits. The fee replaces what you would otherwise spend on a single weekend in a hotel. The platform also provides a 24/7 vet advice line and insurance options, which adds a layer of reassurance for both you and the homeowner.
For regional options, House Sitters America covers the United States at a lower annual cost, and Aussie House Sitters is the go-to for Australia and New Zealand. Nomador, based in France, has a strong European focus and a “Stopover” feature for short stays. MindMyHouse and HouseCarers are older, simpler platforms with fewer listings but less competition, which can work in your favour when you are starting out.
Start with one platform. Create a complete profile with a clear photo, a few sentences about your experience with pets and homes, and a reference or two. Apply to a local sit first — even a weekend nearby — to build a review. That first five-star review is what opens the door to the rest.
What to Watch Out For
House sitting is not without its complications. The most important one is visa rules. If you are travelling internationally, house sitting is generally considered an unpaid exchange of services, not employment. But border officials do not always see it that way. Some countries may interpret it as work, especially if you are staying for several months. There have been cases where travellers faced problems at immigration after mentioning house sitting. The safest approach is to say you are visiting friends or travelling independently, and to carry a letter from the homeowner confirming the arrangement if needed. TrustedHousesitters provides guidance on this, but it is worth checking the specific rules for each country you plan to visit.
Never pay a homeowner to secure a sit. Legitimate platforms charge a membership fee, not a booking fee per sit. If a listing asks for a deposit or payment, it is a red flag. Also, always schedule a video call before confirming. A homeowner who refuses to chat is a risk you do not need.
Another practical concern is your own home. If you plan to be away for months, you need someone to check on your property, collect mail, or maintain the garden. Some retirees solve this by using the same platform to find a sitter for their own home while they sit elsewhere. It creates a reciprocal arrangement that works for everyone.
Options Worth Considering
TrustedHousesitters
This is the platform most people start with, and for good reason. It has the largest number of listings, a clean mobile app, and a two-way review system that builds trust on both sides. The annual membership gives you unlimited access, and the vet advice line is a genuine help if you are caring for a pet with medical needs. The downside is competition. Popular sits in desirable locations receive many applications, so you need a solid profile and a willingness to apply to several before landing one.
- Listings in over 140 countries
- 24/7 vet advice line included
- Insurance options for sitters and homeowners
Note: The annual fee is higher than smaller platforms. If you are only sitting once or twice a year, a cheaper option may make more sense.
House Sitters America
If your focus is the United States, this platform offers strong value at a lower annual cost. Listings are concentrated in the US, so you are not paying for a global database you will not use. The platform is straightforward and less competitive than the larger sites, which can mean fewer applications per listing and a better chance of being chosen. It is a good second platform to have if you already use TrustedHousesitters for international trips.
- Affordable annual membership
- US-focused listings with less competition
- Simple, no-frills interface
Note: Fewer listings overall, so you may need to be flexible on location and dates.
Nomador
Based in France, Nomador is a strong choice if you plan to spend time in Europe. Its “Stopover” feature allows you to offer short stays of a few days, which is useful for moving between longer sits. The platform has a slightly smaller community, which means less competition, but also fewer listings outside Europe. The profile setup is thorough, and homeowners tend to be detail-oriented, which generally leads to well-organised sits.
- Strong European listings
- Stopover feature for short stays
- Lower competition than larger platforms
Note: Limited coverage outside Europe. Not ideal for North America or Asia.
Narrowing It Down to What Fits
The right platform depends on where you want to go and how often you plan to sit.
If you are thinking about a single long trip to Europe, start with TrustedHousesitters. It gives you the widest choice and the most support. If you are staying in the US and want to keep costs low, House Sitters America is a practical choice. If you already have a clear idea of the region you want to explore, a regional platform like Nomador or Aussie House Sitters may give you better results with less competition.
One thing that is easy to overlook: the quality of the experience depends heavily on the homeowner. A good sit is one where expectations are clear, communication is open, and the pets are well-behaved. A video call before you commit is the best way to gauge this. If the homeowner seems disorganised or vague, trust that feeling.
| Consideration | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Location | Choose a platform strong in the region you want to visit |
| Frequency | Annual fee makes sense if you sit multiple times per year |
| Competition | Smaller platforms mean fewer applicants per listing |
| Support | Vet advice and insurance add peace of mind for pet care |
- House sitting removes accommodation costs, making longer travel affordable on a fixed income
- Retirees are a preferred demographic because of their reliability, homeownership experience, and flexible schedules
- Start with one platform, build a local review, and use video calls to vet homeowners before committing
Closing Thoughts
House sitting is not for everyone. Some people prefer the anonymity of a hotel or the certainty of a booked itinerary. But for those who enjoy a slower pace, the company of animals, and the feeling of living like a local rather than passing through, it opens doors that would otherwise stay closed. You do not need a large budget or a complicated plan. You need a decent profile, a willingness to start small, and a genuine interest in caring for someone else’s home and pets.
If you are curious, pick a platform, create a profile, and apply to a weekend sit within driving distance. That is all it takes to find out whether the arrangement suits you. The map of Spain can wait. But it does not have to stay on the table as a wish.
References
The statistics and insights in this article come from the following sources. Each is worth reading for a deeper look.
House Sitting Magazine — A detailed guide for retirees on getting started, with real stories and platform recommendations.
Retirement Media — An overview of how retirees are using house sitting to travel affordably, with practical advice.
The Modern Field — Covers the “grey gap year” trend and how to build a strong profile for house sitting.
The Travelling Housesitters — Platform comparisons and retired couple success stories, with data on sitter ratings.
USA Today — Growth statistics and membership details for TrustedHousesitters, plus visa considerations.
