Quick Verdict
HouseSit Match Review: Is It Worth It?
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 |
| Best For | UK and European sits, sitters who value personal support and community |
| Sitter Cost | £89/year (Value Match) | £129/year (Choice Match) | £169/year (Premium Match) |
| Homeowner Cost | £89/year (Value Match) | £129/year (Choice Match) | £169/year (Premium Match) |
| Combined Cost | £159/year (Value) | £199/year (Choice) | £269/year (Premium) |
| Booking Fees | None |
| Listings | Global — Focused heavily in UK and Europe |
| Verdict | Recommended for UK-focused sitters and as a European supplement |
Want to compare this platform with others? See my full comparison of the best house sitting platforms.
Table of Contents
HouseSit Match is a UK-based house sitting platform founded in 2013 by Lamia Walker, who started the company after her own experiences with house sitting while traveling.
It is not the largest platform in house sitting. But it has built something that larger platforms struggle to replicate: a genuine community with personal support, strong values, no transaction fees, and a charitable giving model that donates 50% of affiliate revenue to partner pet charities. For UK and European sitters in particular, it is a platform worth knowing about.
What is HouseSit Match?
HouseSit Match is a UK-based house sitting platform that connects homeowners with sitters for the standard free accommodation exchange. Founded in 2013, it initially focused on the UK but has grown its international presence steadily.
The platform carries a Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5, among the highest in the house sitting space, with members consistently praising the personal customer support and the quality of the matching process.
HouseSit Match donates 50% of the revenue generated through affiliate memberships to partner pet welfare organisations. It is also a supporter of the NHS with exclusive discounts for active key workers, and a partner of NARPO (National Association of Retired Police Officers).
All pricing on HouseSit Match is in British pounds (GBP). I have not converted to USD as exchange rates change frequently, so check the current equivalent or use a live currency converter for today's rate.
HouseSit Match Membership Cost and Plans
HouseSit Match offers three tiers for sitters, homeowners, and combined accounts.
Sitter Plans
| Plan | Cost (GBP) | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Value Match | £89/year | Core tools to apply for sits, secure messaging, build reviews on your profile, free ID verification, on-platform video calls, upgrade discounts |
| Choice Match | £129/year | All Value features + 24/7 Vet Advice Line, see who viewed or bookmarked your profile |
| Premium Match | £169/year | All Choice features + profile boost for priority visibility to homeowners |
Homeowner Plans
| Plan | Cost (GBP) | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Value Match | £89/year | Post 1 sit at a time, on-platform video calls, access verified community, upgrade discounts |
| Choice Match | £129/year | All Value features + up to 3 properties, 24/7 Vet Advice Line, listing boost/priority |
| Premium Match | £169/year | All Choice features + listing boost/priority placement |
Combined Plans (Sitter + Homeowner)
| Plan | Cost (GBP) | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Value | £159/year | One housesit advert at a time, free housesitting and petsitting for you as a sitter, free home and pet care as a homeowner, video calls, see who bookmarked you, upgrade discounts |
| Combined Choice | £199/year | All Value features + unlimited home and pet care, 24/7 vet video calls, account management support |
| Combined Premium | £269/year | All Choice features + profile boost for priority visibility to homeowners |
No transaction fees on any plan whatsoever.
HouseSit Match is a supporter of the NHS and offers exclusive discounts for active key workers. It also partners with NARPO for member discounts. If either applies to you, check the current discount details directly on their website before joining at the standard rate.
What Makes HouseSit Match Different
Personal Support From a Real Team
Member reviews consistently call out HouseSit Match's customer support as a standout feature. This is a small, founder-led platform where the team is accessible and engaged. For sitters who have encountered the impersonal support experience of larger corporate platforms, this is a genuine differentiator.
50% of Affiliate Revenue Goes to Pet Charities
HouseSit Match donates half of all revenue generated through affiliate memberships to partner pet welfare organizations. For members who want their money to support animal welfare beyond their own travel, this model is meaningful.
No Transaction Fees on Any Plan
Explicit and consistent across all tiers and account types. One annual membership fee covers everything.
Strong Identity Verification
All members are ID-checked through a third-party verification partner at no extra cost. Police background checks are also available at an additional cost for members who want the strongest possible trust signals on their profile.
On-Platform Video Calls
All plans include video calls with other members directly through the HouseSit Match platform. This is a useful feature for the pre-sit interview process that not all platforms facilitate in-platform.
Contracts and Legal Templates
HouseSit Match provides contracts and legal templates to formalize sit arrangements. For longer sits or higher-value properties, having a clear written agreement protects both parties.
UK and European Strength
HouseSit Match's roots in the UK mean it has strong listing density there and growing coverage across Europe. For UK-based sitters or those targeting UK and European sits specifically, the platform offers a more community-oriented alternative to TrustedHousesitters (read full review) with lower competition per listing.
The Real Pros of HouseSit Match
Exceptional Customer Support
Consistently the most-cited positive in member reviews. For a sitter dealing with a confusing situation, a problematic homeowner, or an unusual sit requirement, having a genuinely responsive team is worth a great deal. This is where HouseSit Match consistently outperforms larger platforms.
Strong Trust and Safety Systems
Free ID verification for all members, optional police background checks, contracts and legal templates, and in-platform video calls. HouseSit Match takes the trust side of house sitting seriously across all plan levels.
No Transaction Fees
One annual fee, nothing else. Simple and transparent at every tier.
Values-Driven Business Model
Pet charity donations, NHS discount, NARPO partnership, founder-led ethos. For members who want to support a platform with genuine values rather than investor-driven growth targets, HouseSit Match is the strongest option in the space.
Combined Plan Value
For sitters who also own a home, the combined plans give you both sitter and homeowner access in one membership. The Combined Choice at £199/year includes unlimited home and pet care on both sides, vet calls, and account management support.
The Real Cons of HouseSit Match
Higher Price Than Some Alternatives
At £89-£169/year for sitter plans, HouseSit Match is more expensive than HouseCarers ($50) (read full review) or MindMyHouse ($29) (read full review). The value is real but the price point is a consideration if you are maintaining multiple platform memberships.
Smaller Listing Volume
HouseSit Match has fewer listings than TrustedHousesitters, but many more than some of the cheaper platforms. For sitters wanting maximum global coverage, it works best as a supplement. For UK and European sits specifically, the volume is more meaningful.
Pricing in GBP
Membership is priced in British pounds, which means the actual cost in other currencies fluctuates with exchange rates. At current rates the Value Match plan is approximately $110-$115 USD, but this varies. Check the live equivalent before joining.
Less Recognition Outside the UK
Outside the UK, HouseSit Match is less well known than TrustedHousesitters or HouseCarers. This can occasionally affect how homeowners in other regions perceive applications from the platform.
If you’re deciding between platforms, don’t guess, here’s a full side-by-side comparison.
Who Should Join HouseSit Match?
- UK-based sitters: HouseSit Match's strongest market is the UK. If you are based there or targeting UK sits, this is the most community-oriented option available.
- Sitters who value personal support: If the impersonal experience of large corporate platforms frustrates you, HouseSit Match's team approach is a meaningful alternative.
- Key workers and NHS staff: Discounted memberships are available, so check current details on the HouseSit Match website.
- Sitters who care about values: The pet charity donation model and founder-led approach attract a specific kind of member who values community over corporate scale.
- Those wanting a combined account: The combined plans for sitters who also own homes offer good value for both functions in one membership.
If you are:
- Building a multi-platform strategy → use both together
- Based in the UK or Europe → use HouseSit Match
- Focusing on France → use Nomador (read full review)
- Wanting more support and guidance → choose HouseSit Match
- Looking for the most listings globally → choose TrustedHousesitters (read full review)
HouseSit Match vs TrustedHousesitters
This comparison comes down to scale versus support.
| HouseSit Match | TrustedHousesitters | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost (sitter) | £89-£169/year | $129-$259/year + $12/sit fee |
| Annual cost (homeowner) | £89-£169/year | $149-$299/year + $12/sit fee |
| Annual cost (combined) | £159-£269/year | $209-$399/year + $12/sit fee |
| Booking fees | None | $12/sit (Basic and Standard) |
| Listing focus | UK and Europe | 140+ countries globally |
| Application Limit | No limit | Closes at 5 applications |
| Customer support | Personal, highly rated | Larger team, less personal |
| In-platform video calls | Yes (all plans) | No |
| Verification | Free ID check + optional police check | Mandatory ID, optional background check |
| Charitable giving | 50% of affiliate revenue to pet charities | None |
| Best for | UK sits, personal support, values | Global sitting volume |
Best strategy: Use TrustedHousesitters as your primary platform and HouseSit Match as a UK and Europe-focused supplement with a more personal experience.
Verdict: TrustedHousesitters wins on listing volume and global reach, while HouseSit Match stands out for personal support, strong community values, and a more hands-on experience. The right choice depends on what you value more.
For the full comparison of all platforms: Best House Sitting Platforms
How to Get Started on HouseSit Match
- Choose the right plan before joining. Choose between the Value, Choice, or Premium Match tiers based on the level of personal support you desire. NHS key workers and NARPO members should check the current discount details at HouseSit Match before paying the standard rate.
- Complete your profile fully before applying for anything. HouseSit Match's community is smaller and more personal than TrustedHouseSitters, which means homeowners look more carefully at individual profiles. A half-finished profile is noticeable. Read my house sitting profile guide before you write a word.
- Get your ID verification done immediately. It appears as a visible trust badge on your profile. On a platform this community-oriented, trust signals carry real weight.
- Arrange a police background check if you are targeting high-value properties. This is available at extra cost and is one of the strongest trust signals on the platform. For homeowners listing premium homes, it can be a deciding factor.
- Use the in-platform video call feature early. HouseSit Match includes video calls directly within the platform for all members. Use this in the pre-sit stage as it signals professionalism and is expected by experienced homeowners on this platform.
- Start local if you are based in the UK. HouseSit Match's listing density in the UK is strong. A local first sit lets you build a reviewed HouseSit Match profile quickly and establishes your credibility within the community before you apply for more competitive sits abroad.
- Apply consistently and personalize each message. Even with lower competition than larger platforms, generic applications are still ignored.
If you approach it seriously, HouseSit Match can be a strong secondary platform, especially for UK-based or Europe-focused sitters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does HouseSit Match cost?
HouseSit Match sitter plans are £89/year (Value Match), £129/year (Choice Match), and £169/year (Premium Match). Homeowner plans are the same price structure. Combined sitter and homeowner plans are £159/year, £199/year, and £269/year. All pricing is in GBP, so use a live currency converter for the current equivalent in your currency. There are no transaction fees on any plan.
Is HouseSit Match only for UK sits?
No. HouseSit Match started as a UK-focused platform but now has international listings across Europe, North America, Australia, and beyond. UK and European sits make up the majority of listings, but the platform has growing global reach.
Does HouseSit Match have an app?
HouseSit Match does not have a dedicated mobile app. The platform is accessible via mobile browser and alerts are delivered by email. In-platform video calls are available directly through the website.
How does HouseSit Match support pet charities?
HouseSit Match donates 50% of revenue generated through affiliate memberships to partner pet welfare organisations. Specific charity partners are listed on the HouseSit Match website.
Is there a discount for NHS workers?
Yes. HouseSit Match offers exclusive discounts for active NHS key workers. Check the current discount details directly at HouseSit Match.
What is included in the combined account?
HouseSit Match combined accounts give you both sitter and homeowner access in a single membership. The Combined Value plan starts at £159/year and includes the ability to post a housesit advert and apply for sits. Combined Choice at £199/year adds unlimited listings on both sides, 24/7 vet calls, and account management support.
HouseSit Match is not the platform for sitters who want the most listings or the broadest global reach. It is the platform for sitters who want a community, personal support, strong values, no transaction fees, and a meaningful presence in the UK and European market.
In a space increasingly dominated by corporate platforms, that is a meaningful offer.
For global opportunities, pair it with TrustedHousesitters.
Not ready to commit to a platform yet? Read the full comparison first: Best House Sitting Platforms – An Honest Review
Or if you are still figuring out whether house sitting is the right move: Is It Selfish to Move Away? How Full Time House Sitting Made It Possible
Or start with the complete guide: How to House Sit: The Complete Guide
