Trusted Housesitters Booking Fee Guide for Sitters

TrustedHousesitters Booking Fees Explained: Should You Stay, Upgrade, or Walk Away?

Helping you decide what makes sense

The recent introduction of a £9 / $12 per-sit booking fee has understandably unsettled and angered many members of the house sitting community.

For long-time users like us in particular, house sitting has always felt like a simple exchange - we care for a home and pets, in return for accommodation - with the annual membership fee offering cost effective access to the platform, providing substantial savings on our global travel accommodation.

But adding a charge every time a sit is confirmed, in addition to the annual fee, has felt to many like a fundamental shift in that value. The strength of feeling has been visible across forums, social media, and review platforms, where existing members have voiced frustration about both the fee itself and how it was communicated.

The strength of that reaction has been reflected in a wave of one-star reviews from existing members and a noticeable drop in overall Trustpilot ratings from 4.6 to 3.6. As of August 2026 the average rating has returned to 4.3 - but this initial drop showed the general sentiment of members.

For some, this change has been the final push to leave the platform; for others, it’s prompted a reassessment of which membership level now makes the most sense.

The timing, just before Christmas, one of the busiest times for house sitting, gave rise to comments that this was a cash-grab to appease investors, with no consideration for the long term members who've supported TrustedHousesitters over the years to help shape the community that now exists.

But rather than speculate further on the dissatisfaction, we've written this article to focus on practical, actionable next steps.

If you’re someone who only does one or two sits a year, the new booking fee may feel like an unnecessary extra cost. But if you’re an active sitter, a homeowner who hosts multiple sits, or someone planning shorter or more frequent trips, the new pricing structure has shifted the balance - and in many cases, Premium now offers better overall value than the lower tiers.

So, whether you’re:

• A long-standing member deciding whether to renew
• A newer member reassessing your plan
• Or someone considering joining despite the controversy

...we’ll walk through what’s changed, when it applies, why it’s been introduced, and, most importantly, which membership option now makes the most financial sense depending on how you actually use the platform.

The aim is to help you decide, based on real numbers and real usage, which membership is likely to suit you best going forward - especially if you’re choosing to stay with the platform despite the changes.

If you are new to house sitting, you might find it useful to scroll down to the membership and booking fee comparisons.

If you’ve decided to move on, we’ve also provided our favourite alternative sites, and some helpful tips for transitioning.

Important Clarification For Existing Members

There was some confusion following the initial communication, but here’s the clear updated position:

If you purchased or renewed your membership before 8 December 2025 : The £9 / $12 booking fee only applies from your next renewal date, not immediately. For many this gives up to a year to make an informed decision.

Refer-a-Friend (RAF) free months :  Any existing free months you’ve earned through the RAF program count as part of your renewal period. For example, 36 free months would mean no booking fees for three years.

If you purchased your membership on or after 8 December 2025 :  The booking fee applies immediately to each confirmed sit.

Premium members :  Do not pay booking fees at any point, as this is covered by the higher upfront cost.

If you’re unsure where you stand, it’s worth checking in your dashboard:

• When you last renewed
• Your current membership tier
• Whether upgrading before renewal could reduce future costs

How This Might Affect the Trusted Housesitters Community

This is a changing landscape, and one we’ll be watching carefully.

Our initial thoughts are that short-term house sits are more likely to remain unfilled, or homeowners may offer to cover the sitter’s booking fee, which could complicate the process.

Full-time sitters may start focusing on fewer, longer sits, and competition for these sits may also increase as a result.

But, for those who rely on house sitting as a lifestyle choice, upgrading to Premium is probably the most cost-effective option and still represents a huge saving on accommodation.

Understanding how these changes affect your patterns, whether as a sitter or a homeowner, will help you make informed decisions about member tiers, booking frequency, and sit selection.

Understanding the Updated Terms & Conditions

TrustedHousesitters has also acknowledged that some members using the app were unable to view the updated terms and conditions without first accepting them, causing further frustration.

An apology has appeared on the TrustedHousesitters forum, and members are advised to update the app to avoid any ongoing issues. 

The recent fee changes have prompted many members to take a closer look at the Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) - and we think that’s a good thing.

One clause that caught people’s attention relates to vet and pet-related expenses. The T&Cs state that sitters agree to pay vet fees upfront and then arrange reimbursement from the homeowner later.

For many sitters, this is concerning - especially when pets may have known health issues or be older. 

In practice, most of us handle this by arranging payment directly with the homeowner in advance, or by using a payment method the pet parents leave on file with the vet.

Seeing this clause in the platform-wide terms can feel surprising, but it’s important to note that this was not newly added - it has been in place since 2024 (verified via the Wayback Machine website).

However, what this situation does highlight is the importance of reading T&Cs carefully. Many sitters realized that there were elements they had agreed to in the past without fully noticing.

While the fee changes have drawn attention, it’s also a reminder that being aware of platform rules and your obligations is essential for fully understanding what you have signed up for, with ANY company where agreement to terms is mandatory.

Tip for sitters:  Always clarify pet care payment arrangements with homeowners in advance, keep records of agreed terms, and don’t rely solely on platform policies - personal agreements often prevent misunderstandings.

Why Has The Booking Fee Been Introduced?

According to Trusted Housesitters, the booking fee has been introduced to help support the operational services behind each house sit as the community continues to grow globally.

In short:

• The annual membership fee continues to fund the platform itself, including verification, infrastructure, and 24/7 member support.
• The per-sit booking fee is intended to support the services involved in facilitating each confirmed sit and to encourage commitment from both sides with the aim of minimising cancellations.

Premium members pay more upfront, which the platform positions as covering unlimited sits along with added protections such as sit cancellation cover (terms apply).

The fee is only charged at confirmation, not when you apply, message, or shortlist a sit - and it is refunded if either party cancels, although terms apply.

This does mean you'll need to keep payment details on the website, as per other accommodation sites like Booking.com and Airbnb.

Whether or not you agree with this approach, the practical reality is now clear:

You either pay as you go, or you pay upfront.

Should You Stay, Or Leave?

For some members, leaving now sadly feels like the right decision.

If you only ever planned one sit a year, joined specifically to avoid incremental charges, or feel the change undermines what drew you to house sitting in the first place, stepping away is a valid and understandable choice.

But for others, the decision isn’t so black and white. If you:

• Sit or host multiple times per year
• Enjoy shorter, local, or repeat sits
• Want predictable costs with no per-booking friction
• Or still value the scale and reach of the platform

…then staying may still make sense - but only if you’re on the right membership tier.

For many active members, Premium is no longer about “extras.” It’s about restoring simplicity - one annual cost, no repeated fees, and fewer surprises.

Membership Prices For NEW Sitters (with 25% discount)

These comparisons are based on new memberships with our 25% discount applied. For existing members, upgrade costs may vary depending on where you are in your current annual cycle, as upgrades are typically pro-rated. However, the examples below should give you a clear indication of relative value.

UK Pricing

• Basic Sitter: £74.25 + £9 per sit
• Standard Sitter: £96.75 + £9 per sit
• Premium Sitter: £149.25 (no booking fees)

US Pricing

• Basic Sitter: $96.75 + $12 per sit
• Standard Sitter: $126.75 + $12 per sit
• Premium Sitter: $194.25 (no booking fees)

Costs Compared By Sits Per Year (with 25% discount)

These comparisons include the annual fee and the booking fees:

If you do 1 sit per year:

• UK: Basic £83.25 | Standard £105.75 | Premium £149.25
• USA: Basic $108.75 | Standard $138.75 | Premium $194.25 

Best value:  Basic for both UK and US

If you do 5 sits per year:

• UK: Basic £119.25 | Standard £141.75 | Premium £149.25
• USA: Basic $156.75 | Standard $186.75 | Premium $194.25 

Best value:  Premium starts to make sense vs Standard in the UK; in USD, it becomes clearly competitive after 6–7 sits.

If you do 10 sits per year:

• UK: Basic £164.25 | Standard £186.75 | Premium £149.25
• USA: Basic $216.75 | Standard $246.75 | Premium $194.25

Best Value:  Premium is now clearly the best value in both currencies saving vs Basic and Standard.

The Tipping Points

• Premium vs Standard:  Premium becomes cheaper at ~5 sits/year
• Premium vs Basic:  Premium becomes cheaper at ~10 sits/year

Any additional sits beyond these points make Premium progressively more cost-effective while also providing extra perks.

What Extra Value Does Premium Include For Sitters?

Premium isn’t just about avoiding booking fees. It also includes:

• Unlimited access to house sits - no per sit charges
• Instant alerts for unlimited saved searches - never miss a sit that fits your schedule (in reality this translates as within an hour)
• Free video calls & online chat with vets - reassurance while pet sitting
• Dedicated member support - priority help if anything goes wrong
• Accident & third-party liability plan - extra peace of mind
• Sit Cancellation Plan - protection if a sit falls through last minute
• Two global airport lounge passes - convenient for long-distance sits
• Premium badge on your profile - improves visibility and credibility

We do have a premium membership and have enjoyed the use of the airport lounges on long trips, and we've used the vet line on one occasion. 

A Practical Way To Decide For Sitters

• 1–3 sits/year:  Basic usually best value
• 4–6 sits/year:  Premium may already be cheaper than Standard, especially in UK
• 7+ sits/year:  Premium is the most cost-effective and predictable option

Upgrading to Premium is not about endorsing the new booking fee - it’s about protecting your time, your finances, and your house-sitting experience, while continuing to enjoy the benefits of a global community.

If you want to learn more about TrustedHousesitters, you can read our full TrustedHousesitters review here.

Choosing To Move On? Alternative House Sitting Sites

We completely understand that the new booking fees have prompted some sitters to reconsider whether TrustedHousesitters is still the right platform for them.

For those who feel it’s time to explore other options, there are several well-established platforms:

• House Carers – Worldwide sits, simple interface, lower annual fees, flexible booking.
• Nomador - Worldwide sits but strong focus on Europe with English, French and German language translations.
• HouseSitMatch – Focuses on UK and Europe, emphasizes trust and verified profiles.
• MindMyHouse – Inexpensive and popular for US and global sits.
• Aussie House Sitters – Australian-focused, strong vetting process, active community - annual fee for sitters and owners.
• HouseSitters America, Kiwi House Sitters, House Sitters Canada – All part of the same (Aussie House Sitters) parent company, covering regional sits. Liability coverage, simple subscription pricing with automatic sharing of reviews across platforms.

5 Top Tips If You’re Considering Leaving

• Check coverage – Make sure your preferred locations are represented on other sites,
• Compare fees and benefits – Look at membership cost, support services, member verification, and other benefits and protections.
• Read recent reviews – Platforms with verified profiles and active support are often smoother to use.
• Transition gradually – Complete any booked sits on TrustedHousesitters before moving on to secure your reputation. Consider keeping your THS membership until you’ve tried out other options.
• Copy and Paste Reviews – Make sure you have copies of all your reviews, and your profile, for easy transition to other sites

Our Perspective: Why We Still Find Value

After more than a decade of house sitting (over 150 sits), we’ve travelled the world extensively, met incredible people, and cared for some truly beautiful pets.

House sitting has shaped the lifestyle we love, and TrustedHousesitters has been a major part of that journey - alongside other smaller or regional platforms that we also value.

It’s important to acknowledge that TrustedHousesitters is now a corporate, funded business experiencing worldwide growth. That comes with changes, and not every update will resonate with every member. If this shift doesn’t sit well with your values, ethics, or budget, exploring alternatives is certainly a valid choice - which we respect.

Reframing our thinking about TrustedHousesitters as a corporate entity some time ago helped us navigate the changes as they’ve grown and evolved.

We certainly haven’t agreed with every change made, but the platform still provides unique benefits that we haven’t found quite the same elsewhere.

We’ve had access to amazing homes, wonderful pets, meaningful connections, and the flexibility to travel extensively while keeping costs down.

At the end of the day, house sitting is about community, trust, and shared generosity. Platforms may change, but the lifestyle and friendships we’ve built continue to matter most.

For sitters who rely on the platform frequently, upgrading to Premium can make sense; for occasional sitters, exploring alternatives may feel like the right path.

Either way, the opportunity to care for pets, travel responsibly, and connect with homeowners remains at the heart of what makes this lifestyle so special.

We hope that aspect of house sitting doesn’t change!