We have been using house-sitting organisations for many years and, looking back, we feel the character of applicants has changed quite noticeably. In the earlier years, many of our sitters were older travellers — often Australians or New Zealanders — making long European trips. A house sit seemed t…

I’m not sure there is a clear delineation between the two profiles you put forward. My wife and I fit into both (we are sitters). What I believe is happening is that the concept of sitting has been broadened, through THSs marketing and has captured other sitters who may be sitting for various reaso…

We have used THS for 13 years. That is interesting, particularly your point about the concept of sitting having broadened. I agree that the two groups are not mutually exclusive — some of our best early sitters certainly enjoyed the destination as well. What feels different to us is the balance bet…

We’ve been house sitting almost full time for nearly 6 years. And across 30 countries so for a wide range of hosts. Like @Oztravels we fall into both categories and are mid 50s, still working online and using THS to facilitate slow travel, long haul wish list destinations and ground us in a country …

What I read is that you find the first group to be financially secure and did not have to use your property to make travel possible. The other group you describe you feel can only travel if they have a free place to stay and you see different attitudes and care with the two groups. I personally do…

[image] Anyone else notice a drastic decrease in applicants over past 2 years? Owner Questions, Advice & Chat Picture a bull’s eye: The center is realistically who the ideal customers are — people who understand the concept of a fair exchange and are responsibl…

We are your first group, early retired Aussie’s who initially sat in the UK partly as a way to wait out the Schengen period. Discovered we really enjoy it as a way to travel. Enjoy having borrowed pets. Really love not disrupting the housing market using Airbnbs. Wish we could make it work for us mo…

[image] A_Smith: We have been using house-sitting organisations for many years and, looking back, we feel the character of applicants has changed quite noticeably. In the earlier years, many of our sitters were older travellers — often Australians or New Zealanders — making long European trips.…

[image] A_Smith: longer-standing members @A_Smith , interesting reflections. No idea on the number or proportion of THS members that are long-standing - THS does not publish related data. Weblink to non-THS survey below suggests that very few housesitters have anything close to 13 years exper…

Have long-standing members noticed a change in the type of house sitter?

Host Questions, Advice & Chat

Maggie8K 18 October 2026 12:54 6

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Have long-standing members noticed a change in the type of house sitter?

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