Earn money or free accommodation by managing residential properties for traveling owners
Time: Variable, usually 1-2 hours of active tasks daily plus overnight stays
Homeowners in Canadian cities and vacation hubs pay for peace of mind while they travel for business or leisure. You are hired to maintain the residence, perform basic maintenance, collect mail, and often care for plants or pets. Revenue is generated through daily fees for short-term stays or monthly stipends for longer commitments. In many cases, you also save significantly on your own living expenses by utilizing the home as your primary residence during the contract period.
Create profiles on TrustedHousesitters or House Sitters Canada, highlighting your reliability and experience. Include 2-3 references and mention any specific skills like gardening or basic plumbing to justify a higher daily rate of $50.
Visit your local police service or use an online provider like MyBackCheck. Investing roughly $60 for a certified background check significantly increases trust and allows you to command premium rates in competitive urban markets.
Determine if you will charge a flat fee, such as $35-$75 per night, or trade your services for free accommodation. In high-cost cities like Vancouver or Toronto, free rent can be worth $2,500 monthly in equivalent value.
Post ads on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace targeting affluent neighborhoods. Focus on your ability to monitor for winter pipe bursts or mail overflow, which are major concerns for Canadian homeowners traveling south during the winter months.
Before every assignment, meet the owner to document emergency contacts, security codes, and plant care. Clearly define expectations for cleaning and utility usage to avoid disputes that could lead to negative reviews or lost payments.
Send a short message or photo via WhatsApp once per day. Consistent communication ensures the client feels their $500,000+ asset is secure, leading to repeat bookings and word-of-mouth referrals within their social circles.
A dedicated Canadian platform that connects local sitters with homeowners across all ten provinces.
A global leader in house sitting that is very popular for high-end listings in major Canadian cities.
A top resource for finding local, short-term house sitting gigs through classified ads in specific municipalities.
Essential for understanding how to report your house sitting earnings as self-employed income for tax purposes.
Search for 'Community' or 'Neighborhood' groups to find hyper-local house sitting opportunities within your immediate area.