Amy and I have recently become professional rent evaders.
After a year of living in our car (rent-free!), the idea of paying $2,000 a month for a mediocre apartment felt unbearable.
We did our first house sit during our travels—a 10-day stint in a small beachside town in NSW. But the real adventure began when we returned to our home city of Melbourne. Our initial plan was to house sit until we were ready to rent—once we had some savings and had decided on a place to settle.
But after a few sits, we found our rhythm. It was easy, rewarding, and made so much sense. So we thought, why not just keep doing this? And thus, we became professional rent evaders.
Now, I’m going to tell you how you can do it too.
Why House Sit?
I’m not saying this lifestyle is for everyone, but for us, it’s perfect. At the start of 2024, we abandoned all our furniture and most of our belongings to move into the car. Coming back from our travels, our bank accounts were running low.
House sitting allows us to save thousands of dollars—not just on rent, but also utilities, bond, and the cost of furnishing a place. In a year, we’d spend upwards of $24,000 on housing. Imagine having that money in your bank account instead. A holiday? A house deposit? Whatever you want. Sounds pretty good to me.
Freedom
Amy and I have always bonded over our shared desire for freedom. Over the past decade, I’ve moved, on average, twice a year and have kept my possessions minimal. I enjoy the lightness of it.
Signing a lease would make me feel caged, tied down, and burdened by responsibility. Sure, leases can be broken and belongings can be sold, but it all takes effort and complicates decisions.
When I turned 24 I vowed to myself that I wouldn’t pay rent until I was 25—a goal I achieved. And honestly? Since living this way, I see people paying rent as trapped. I see their bank accounts draining, their freedom shrinking. I see them bound by capitalism. But aren’t we all?
Why can’t we just live in yurts, work the land, and embrace that hippie dream? Anyway…
The Spiritual Aspect
House sitting teaches you detachment from material possessions. Ownership is just a concept—one that entraps us. All the things in your home aren’t really yours; they’re just borrowed from the earth.
Indigenous Australians exemplify the principle of non-ownership. Traditional Aboriginal cultures see land and possessions as communal, not something to be hoarded. (I encourage you to explore this further—there’s deep wisdom in it.)
Ownership can actually cause stress. That green couch you always wanted? Feels great until your cat scratches it, adding another thing to worry about, reducing its aesthetic value, maybe even straining your relationship with the cat (kidding… sort of).
Through house sitting, I avoid that stress. The items in each home aren’t mine, so I don’t have to worry. I get to use them, appreciate them, and then move on. I forget about them once I have finished the sit (unless the bed was exceptionally comfortable, like the king-sized one we’re currently sleeping in—oh my god).
House sitting has also made Amy and me incredibly adaptable. We quickly settle into new environments. In our latest sit in Maribyrnong—a three-bedroom townhouse with two cats and a dog—I felt at home the moment I rolled in my suitcase.
With this adaptability, we bring our best selves wherever we go. No matter the house, I find a running route, and Amy meditates for an hour each morning. Our routines remain, even as our surroundings change.
How to Become a House Sitter
Technology makes alternative living easy. Apps streamline the process. Our favourite is AussieHouseSitters.com.au, which has more listings than MindAHome.com.au (though we used to use both). TrustedHouseSitters.com is another I have heard of, however we haven't used it personally. For maximum options, you can subscribe to multiple platforms, but we’ve found AussieHouseSitters sufficient.
Getting Started
Sign up and create a profile. There’s an $80 sign-up fee, but it lasts a year.
Apply for listings. Check messages frequently—good sits get snapped up fast!
Tips for Getting Sits
Your Profile
Your profile should be authentically you. Homeowners want to know who’s sleeping in their bed and cuddling their pets. One owner chose us because our love of hiking and the outdoors aligned with her values.
Include:
What you do for work
Why you’re house sitting
Any experience or references
Photos of you with animals
Highlight your strengths. Amy and I emphasise our backgrounds in environmental work, making us great for properties with gardens. We also work full-time, which reassures homeowners that we’re reliable and responsible.
Messaging Homeowners
Always reply, even if you’re rejected. We’ve had owners circle back when their first sitter canceled.
Be quick. Check messages frequently—good sits go fast!
Be polite. If rejected, reply with: “No worries, all the best! Feel free to message us in the future.” AussieHouseSitters tracks your reply rate, so responding helps maintain a good rating.
During the Sit
Send pet updates. Photos and messages reassure owners that their pets are in good hands.
Respect the home. Treat it like your own—or better.
Give the animals love. Some pets may be anxious without their owners. Be attentive.
After the Sit
Leave the house spotless. Vacuum, mop, and clean the kitchen.
Strip your sheets. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference.
Leave a thank-you note and a small gift. We’ve left wine, bread, even a chopping board! These gestures help secure glowing reviews.
Planning for the Future
If you want to sustain this lifestyle, plan ahead. Amy and I schedule sits 2-3 months in advance. We learned the hard way—once, we had a gap between sits and ended up couch surfing, which made us feel like a burden.
This lifestyle doesn’t have to feel uprooting or chaotic. Simple rituals help make each house feel like home. For me, that means using my special cup, setting my books on the bedside table, rolling out my yoga mat, and putting my crystals on the windowsill. If we’re staying for a few weeks, we even hang up our clothes.
Most importantly, it’s fun. We get to care for adorable animals, experience different homes, and explore new neighbourhoods. Even though we’ve paused our Aussie adventure to be in Melbourne, I still feel like an alternative ratbag hiker living out of my backpack (well, suitcase now).
Right now, I just want to feel free. House sitting gives me that. I’m grateful to every homeowner who has welcomed us and entrusted us with their pets. What a blessing.
Ultimately, just be grateful. Be respectful. Be responsible. Do that, and sits will keep coming your way.
