Online house sitter matching service

Homeowners going on holiday or away for work, often with pets or valuable homes. Some agencies also charge sitters a small membership or vetting fee.

A booking fee per match, a percentage of the sitter's fee, or an annual membership for homeowners and sitters. Repeat clients and referrals help build steady income.

• Organised and good with detail
• Confident checking references and ID
• Clear communication with worried homeowners
• Basic website and social media skills

• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance for the agency, and check what cover your sitters need
• Data protection: you will hold ID and personal details, so check whether you need to register with the ICO
• Check how basic DBS checks work for your sitters and whether you need an umbrella body to request them
• Be clear in your terms on who is responsible for damage, theft or a pet emergency
• Check whether sitters would count as self-employed and get your contracts reviewed, ideally by a solicitor
• Trust is everything: one bad match can damage your reputation

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on your website, your insurance and how you recruit and vet sitters. Running it online from your computer helps keep overheads low.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £200 to £2,500, depending on how many matches you make and whether you also charge sitters a membership or vetting fee. Check your own costs, as revenue is not profit.

Check whether you need to register with the ICO, as you will hold ID and personal details. Also check how basic DBS checks work, your insurance needs, whether sitters count as self-employed, and have your contracts reviewed, ideally by a solicitor.