Housesitting and caretaking

Housesitting and caretaking can be a great way to get find comfortable place for a while. You get to stay in a house in exchange for watering the plants, possibly feeding the animals and just making sure the house looks inhabited.

In some countries there's also a more institutionalized form, in the Netherlands it's called "anti-kraak" (anti-squatting) as it's a way to keep squatters out. (Funny enough many people have started squatting after living in an anti-kraak building for a while.)

[Mind my house] requires looking after and living in people's homes while they are away. Membership costs $20 per year (£13, €15).

[House it world] is an international house sitting service for home minders, Caretakers & house sitters since. Sitters are wanted for Caretaker and Home minding jobs in the USA, Europe, London, England, Paris, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Australia, Canada, New Zealand.

[THE CARETAKER GAZETTE] is a unique newsletter containing property care taking and house sitting jobs, advice, and information for property caretakers, housesitters, and landowners. Published since 1983, it's the only publication in the world dedicated to the property caretaking field.

[Trusted house sitters] asks 59€ per year(£50) membership. Really too much for a budget traveller. It is well spread around the world, with a huge presence in UK.

[Luxury House Sitting] has a small 10$(£6.50, 7.50€) per year membership cost, which is much lower than the rest. Still a good idea to give a look from time to time, and spend a free vacation in a luxury house!