Does TrustedHousesitters have a two-tier system for sitters?

[Snowbird]

@PollyJ This may not directly answer your question, but I thought I’d give you some related history. Until a few years ago (2022, I think), there wasn’t any cap on the number of applications a host received. Unless they chose to pause listings, it wasn’t unusual to see 50+ applications for what might be deemed an attractive sit. Also, until recently, if you applied for a sit you would always be able to see how many others had applied for that sit. You were able to see ‘your competition’ stats.

The reason TrustedHousesitters gave for the shift to pausing at five applications was to make more of an equal opportunity for new sitters. Whether I agree or not with their explanation is irrelevant. However, you may see this at least as in some respects addressing your concerns, as a newcomer.

Instead of focussing on how many sits may be shared amongst repeat or long-time sitters, perhaps focus on how many new ones are continually being listed. If you have not done so, I strongly encourage you to learn all the intricacies of setting favourites (via website vs app), filtered saved searches, and phone notifications. These features exponentially increase your likelihood of being able to apply for new listings that interest you.

Wishing you an exciting adventure in this unique way to experience the world, the people, and the pets.

[Marion]

I don’t think the situation is static with London being taken in effect by previous sitters. New members come in all the time both sitters and homeowners. There is also churn as many sit for a while and then wind up getting tired of the nomadic life or having other obligations. Even if you see repeat sitters in someone’s reviews, it doesn’t mean that they were able to secure the same sitter for the sit being listed. In fact, if they could have, they might not have listed at all.

We don’t sit often but when we do we look at specific locations which might be hard to get and we always approach with an application that makes it clear that we are trustworthy and experienced both on the site and off the site. I’ve done one repeat sit and been invited to do others but the dates haven’t worked out. It’s just the way things go. There are always others applying to the same desirable sits.

As a homeowner, of course I am comfortable with known qualities, but maybe a third of people who have sat for me, don’t even sit through THS anymore.

You are coming to a conclusion that this is “unfair” or “hopeless” based on a very small amount of data. This same thinking would make it impossible to find a job, an apartment, or anything else in life.

[Maggie8K]

Plus, not everyone wants repeat sits or all the repeat sits they’re offered. For example, my London hosts said I’d be welcomed back anytime, but I’ve stayed at hotels in London for other visits since, wanting to be free of responsibilities while sightseeing.

[Animal_lover]

No, I’ve spoken to quite a few that I know and this seems to be the direction that people are taking. I have no reason to doubt that this bunch are a good and typical sample of experienced sitters and homeowners

[MerryPuppins]

“I’m not saying repeat sits are wrong or that people shouldn’t have them just that, at scale, it creates a structural imbalance that hits certain cities much harder than others. That’s the bit I think is worth talking about, beyond individual strategies for getting ahead.”

Thanks for the polite response, despite the fact we don’t agree on this subject.

I don’t believe there’s an inherent imbalance on THS, overall or for specific cities. I also don’t believe a majority of sits in London are being monopolized by a few sitters. I think you’ve extrapolated out from a few things you were told & perhaps a couple listings, & you inferred from there.

As others have said or implied, every sitter starts out with no sit history & has to build their profile & experience from there. It really is as simple as that. New sits, & therefore new sit opportunities, are added every day (yes, even in London.)

If your goal is to live rent-free in London over the long term, I just don’t think that’s terribly realistic. If you’re just looking to get a few prime sits there, that can be done — with time & some work on your part. The suggestions given were good ones.

One other story & suggestion that might help: my London host described their frustration with all the sitters just looking for a prime London sit, & the troubles he had with sitters from abroad cutting things too close with flight delays on same-day arrivals, etc. One of the reasons he chose me was because I mentioned in the application that I would already be in the country & could stop by the night before the sit to do a meet n’ greet etc. So if you’re in the UK longer-term, or even on the continent, perhaps lead with that in your application.

Best of luck. You will get there, if you put the effort in - and without THS having to put their thumb on the scale.

[GotYourBack]

@Maggie8K, we agree with this.
There is no “best” housesitter profile, anymore than there is a “best” listing, use case or pet care.
But some styles of housesit, and perhaps pet parent profiles, are attracted to specific types of housesitter profile.
We’ve been declined on the basis that pet parent wanted a remote worker housesitter as they subjectively perceived this best met needs of themselves and pet. Such best-fit choices are wonderful and likely yield win-win-win outcome. And much much better, in our view, of pet parents that appear to put negligible effort into housesitter selection.

[idocsteve]

@Animal_lover

No, I’ve spoken to quite a few that I know and this seems to be the direction that people are taking.

Ok. Given that there are almost 250,000 active members I’m surprised that you were able to speak to a statistically significant sample to make the statement that most members are taking their sits off platform.

[Animal_lover]

I didn’t say I had spoken to a statistically significant sample. I stated my beliefs and I don’t need to prove my beliefs with statistics. However, they are based on some personal evidence. And I didn’t say ‘most’ I said a large number.

[GotYourBack]

@pietkuip, indeed. Does THS offer a guarantee that any housesitter can bag 100k of sun-soaked luxury holidays for free? Please sign us up

[Newpetlover]

@PollyJ

I’m here because I love animals and the idea of exchanging care for a change of scenery

But you seem to be really focused in London.

@PollyJ

I don’t blame anyone for making that work for themselves — if you can do it, great — but it does have consequences for everyone else who would also like the chance to sit, visit, or spend time in London.

I may not get a sit in London at a specific time but nobody is preventing me from visiting or spending time there whenever I choose.
I don’t expect anyone to offer me a sit in order to be “fair”, trying to have sitters representing different groups: age, ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, etc. It’s about making good matches for both parties and there’s nothing wrong with people repeating sits when both parties are willing to renew their agreement.

[temba]

@PollyJ There are currently 516 sits listed under London. How many have you applied for? Yes, some will be further out but you do have opportunity.

[pietkuip]

That number 516 is an exaggeration. That is even higher than everything on this map together. It is the ludicrous THS search on location:

[temba]

I agree @pietkuip. I did put in London then used the Distance filter but, as we know, the search function by location is so inaccurate. However, it may give @PollyJ some ideas.

[Lokstar]

@PollyJ

@treatsforpets

No sitter is always available every time a homeowner needs a sitter. That’s why you can see, even for top tier listings that had the same sitter repeatedly, a different sitter had to take over at some point. In the few years I’ve been on the platform, seen many many thousands of listings, but not 1 that had only 1 sitter for all their dates.

This is so true. I see many listings with multiple repeat sitters. Sometimes 2 or 3 different alternating repeat sitters going back years with the odd new face inbetween when the regulars have not been available. We ourselves have done a few repeats. One sit in Spain we’ve done 3 times, over 3 years, even though we decided the first time we wouldn’t go back! But somehow it keeps popping up at exactly the right moment and we always end up enjoying it again!

And @pietkuip I had a giggle at your “mansion with one tortouse” comment as we’ve just landed a 3 month sit in Switzerland with 14 tortoises! Yes, its highly desirable for several reasons- a long sit- which many people seek, lots of freedom- we can go away a few days if we want as the tortoises are outside in a shed and don’t need much attention. We can have guests stay and we’re only 15km from the German border for much cheaper food shopping! And as it happens they’ve had the same sitters- for long stays like this- 4 times already! We haven’t asked but presumably these guys either wanted a change of sitters or the regular weren’t available. Either way we got the gig this time! Sometimes its just about being in the right place at the right time.

@PollyJ there are new sits listed ALL the time and new sitters and hosts joining ALL the time. Its a free flowing market! You just need to find your way in it! I can well understand sitters in London using sitting as a way to cover housing costs & I say good for them! They have found what works for them. So can you! To be honest, we, and I’m sure many other full timers, also use sitting to replace expensive housing costs! And why not if It is an available option?! If you reduce living costs you can afford to live on less income, and work less I.e more freedom! Yay! The only difference between us and the London serial-sitters is that we serial-sit all around the world!

The more sits you do and the more 5* reviews you accumulate to build up your own reputation the more opportunities will open up for you! There is so much abundance! If you keep a positive, expansive, mindset and keep plugging away then one day ..you too ..could be the one who lands a sit in a mansion with one tortouse OR the one who is invited back multiple times to sit in that exclusive Penthouse suite in London!

[Silversitters]

@PollyJ

We have three sits that we enjoy doing repeatedly.

One of the hosts has used us exclusively . They did confirm another sitter from THS who cancelled at the last minute ( stating they needed medical treatment but actually took another very desirable sit for the same dates) leaving them without a sitter. They have used us exclusively sending us private THS invitations.

The second host we have sat for on six or seven occasions, they run their dates past us first to see if we are available. We couldn’t possibly do all of their dates and they’ve had 10 other sitters .

The third host has a pool of a few sitters from THS that they offer the dates too . It’s a great sit in a lovely location , lovely pet . If none of us are available they list the dates publicly.

For all three of these hosts , we first applied to sit for them when they were new to THS with 0 reviews .

I recommend that you look at all the new sits listed in London daily and apply to those .

As you are already in the area you can offer to visit before confirming the sit . This can be reassuring to new hosts and means that you can check out the home and pet behaviour. As a minimum have a video call before confirming .

Taking “a chance” on a new host is the way to make a connection in a popular destination.

[GotYourBack]

@Lokstar

we’ve just landed a 3 month sit in Switzerland with 14 tortoises

@Lokstar, kudos - hope enjoy a fabulous adventure & experience . We completed two brief Switzerland housesits in 2025 - beautiful country but blooming expensive.

[Maggie8K]

Agree with @Lokstar about not necessarily being available even when hosts want repeat sits.

Likewise on what @Silversitters mentioned as well. I was the first scheduled sitter for a couple who then proceeded to sent me a slew of requests privately, including trips they hadn’t booked yet and were figuring out whether to take. I had to keep turning them down, because of conflicts. They didn’t renew and would welcome me back without THS. Gorgeous, large upscale home, super convenient, with one easy, small dog.

Another pair of hosts — after I finished my first sit with them — sent me a list of about 10 dates they hadn’t yet listed. Asked whether I wanted any or all, but I couldn’t do any of them, because of conflicts. High-end, high-rise apartment with two fun cats. Terrific, walkable neighborhood downtown and they offered me guest parking.

Another example: My next sit is with a pair of hosts who’ve repeatedly asked me for repeats, including offers of round trip airfare. I’ve had conflicts multiple times, so declined more than I accepted. They’re not renewing, so I’m sitting for them off the books going forward. Three quirky, lovable cats. Beautiful upscale home near loads of amenities.

A host in an upscale home in Glasgow — amazing neighborhood — with one sweet, easy dog, offered me repeats, but I had conflicts.

A friend in Rome asked me to sit, but I could do it only once, so I introduced her to another THS sitter, who spent Christmas weeks there. My friend says I have a standing invite, but I’m not going to Rome all the time, so those sits will be posted if she doesn’t get takers among other friends.

And those are just a few examples where other sitters can have opportunities.

[Silversitters]

One of the London sits ( shown as central London when you use the THS map ) is actually in a rural village in Dorset with no train station ( 2.5 hours drive to London )

I informed THS who said that the host can pick London as their location for privacy reasons !!!

[Maggie8K]

BTW, if you get strong reviews, some hosts will recommend you to friends or family in the same city or elsewhere. I’ve gotten those even though I never asked any hosts for referrals. And I’m sure I’m not the only sitter with such offers.

Plus, you can join other sites and repurpose your THS profile and reviews to land sits. Like I tried Nomador and easily got sits in Hong Kong and NYC that I applied for and a bunch of unsolicited invitations to sit in France, including long sits. And I didn’t even apply for any French sits, since I like to visit there without any sitting responsibilities.

[sandydandy]

I agree I’ve probably gotten sits cuz of my old age! But I’m pretty sure it’s worked against me, especially with younger (ignorant? Ha!) HOs. And I won’t accept most sits, I’m like you, I’m very picky. It’s been a great adventure so far! I’m currently in a spectacular house with a wonderful self sufficient cat , views, and ski slopes nearby…these are younger HOs, so it’s really hard to say if the ageism issue is alive. Whatever. Who needs those “ageist “ people anyways, it always works out for the best. It’s not personal. And I agree with you that isn’t matter of what’s fair or not… this is a matching site, not a government agency with regulations that monitor HR type issues.