Local house sitter matching agency

Homeowners going on holiday, work trips or extended travel, including older people, families and people with pets. Some agencies also charge sitters a small fee.

A booking fee or percentage of the sitting fee paid by the homeowner, plus an optional vetting or membership fee from sitters.

• Good people judgement
• Organised and reliable
• Clear communication
• Building trust with customers

• Public liability insurance, and ask an insurer whether you need professional indemnity cover too
• Police checks and reference checks need consent and careful handling of personal information, check privacy obligations
• Check whether sitters would be treated as contractors or employees, and what that means for workers compensation and tax
• Homeowners' own insurers may have rules about people staying in the home, so tell customers to check
• Your reputation depends on vetting, a single bad placement can hurt the business

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your website or listing tools, vetting and background check costs, insurance and marketing. Running it from home keeps overheads low.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $300 to $3,500, depending on how many bookings you match, the fee you charge per booking and whether you also charge sitters a small fee. Building a trusted local reputation takes time.

Check that police and reference checks are done with consent and that you handle personal information carefully, including privacy obligations. Check whether sitters count as contractors or employees, and what that means for workers compensation and tax. Get public liability insurance and ask about professional indemnity.