Full-time house sitting around New Zealand offers freedom, variety, and the chance to experience new parts of the motu while keeping accommodation and utility costs down to a bare minimum. But along with this comes a particular challenge that is common to every Kiwi house sitter, whether they be newbies or professionals: where do you stay during the gaps that will invariably occur between sits?
Some lucky sitters travel with a campervan or motorhome (or even a caravan) which offers them flexibility and a ready-made base. But for those without their own mobile accommodation, it’s essential that they have a good think about where they’re going to be staying between assignments.
In many cases, the gaps between sits could amount to no more than two or three days at a time, but if you have an unexpected last-minute cancellation then you could find yourself needing alternative accommodation for up to week if not longer, so it’s important to plan ahead so you’ve got some sort of roof over your head and you’re not sleeping on the streets.
Here’s a quick guide to a number of options — along with the key pros and cons of each
1. Staying With Friends Or Family
Advantages:
Often free or very low cost Familiar and comfortable surroundings Opportunity to reconnect with loved ones you haven’t seen for a while
Disadvantages:
May not always be available Can feel like you’re imposing, especially if gaps are frequent or lengthy Could be a long drive from your next sit, requiring extra travelling and fuel expense
Tip: It’s a good idea to give advance notice and to treat your stay like a temporary visit. While you’re staying there offer to help out with the chores around the house, do the shopping, and even baby sit so the parent(s) can enjoy a night out.
2. Airbnb
Advantages:
Wide variety of options to suit your budget and location Comfortable and private Can be used to explore new places or enjoy a mini-break
Disadvantages:
Can get expensive, especially during peak seasons Availability may be limited in remote or rural areas
Tip: Look out for “last minute” deals or longer-stay discounts, and consider off-season destinations for better rates.
3. Camping
Advantages:
Affordable, especially if you have your own gear Flexible, and often available in beautiful natural settings A good way to stay self-sufficient between sits
Disadvantages:
Weather dependent and not the best option for the colder months Not always comfortable or convenient for work, online tasks, or recharging devices Can require quite a bit of gear and you may lack ready access to facilities, depending on where you choose to pitch your tent
Tip: Many regions offer low-cost or even free camping areas. Be sure to check local regulations and to comply with council bylaws.
4. Sleeping In Your Car
Advantages:
Extremely low cost Full flexibility and mobility — you can park near your next sit if needed
Disadvantages:
Limited comfort and privacy Can be unsafe or illegal in certain areas Not very sustainable for long periods as you will need ready access to showers and toilet facilites
Tip: Invest in window tints, sunshades, or curtains for privacy, and seek out safe, designated overnight parking areas. Look out for the spots where campervans and motor homes have stopped for the night and park up with them – there is safety in numbers.
5. Extended Invitation From The Previous Homeowner
Advantages:
Familiar environment, often with continued access to amenities May be welcomed if you’ve built a good rapport and the owners aren’t rushing back into the home
Disadvantages:
Not always offered or appropriate — depends entirely on the homeowner’s situation and comfort level Can blur boundaries between professional and personal space
Tip: Always let the homeowner offer — never assume — and respect their needs and schedule.
6. Early Arrival Invitation From the Next Homeowner
Advantages:
Lets you settle in early and establish rapport Allows extra time to be shown around the property, and to build a connection with the pets before the sit officially starts
Disadvantages:
Not always feasible if the homeowners are still there (especially if the house is full of children) or if they’re not ready to leave Can be awkward if expectations are unclear
Tip: Keep communication open and professional. Ask if they’d be comfortable with you arriving a day or two early. Many will happily say “yes” but always be prepared for a “no”.
7. Pet Or House Sitting For Friends Or Acquaintances
Advantages:
Often informal and flexible May not involve applying through a platform, so less competition Can strengthen personal networks for future sits
Disadvantages:
May not come with the same support or security as platform-based sits No reviews or formal references gained
Tip: Let your personal network know you’re available during specific dates — you’d be surprised how often people need someone last-minute.
8. Volunteering In Exchange For Accommodation
Advantages:
Free or low-cost stay in exchange for a few hours’ work per day Can be a meaningful experience — learning skills, meeting locals Some placements offer food as well as lodging
Disadvantages:
Requires physical work or set schedules Not always pet-related or relevant for building your house-sitting profile
Tip: Choose opportunities that align with your lifestyle and stamina, especially if you’re between back-to-back sits.
For further information on how this option could work for you, please have a look at the following sites:
9. Hostels
Advantages:
Affordable compared to motels and even airbnbs Great for meeting fellow travellers or even other house sitters Can often book just one night at a time
Disadvantages:
Shared facilities and lack of privacy May not be suitable for working or resting in peace Some hostels can be pricey even when sharing a dorm so you’ll need to shop around
Tip: Look for hostels that offer private rooms or quiet areas if you need space to decompress or catch up on admin. Just note that private rooms can get expensive if you’re staying in a hostel for more than a couple nights. A quick Google for hostels in your area should provide some for you to consider or you can try the following sites:
10. House Sitting Websites & Facebook Groups
Advantages:
Most platforms and Facebook groups will have listings for very short sits — even a single night or weekend Many of the sits listed (especially on Facebook) can be “last-minute” Keeps you active in the system and adds to your online review base
Disadvantages:
Limited options depending on your location and how far you’re prepared to travel to reach each property, especially short sits of only 1-3 days May still leave you with gaps before or after
Tip: Filter your search by date and region and keep your calendar flexible — you might score a perfect short sit with minimal travel. Also, set up email alerts on every house sitting site you are a member of, so as soon as house sits are listed that fit in with your dates, you will be notified by email pronto. House sitting groups on Facebook can be a surprisingly effective way to fill in those gaps between longer sits. There are number to choose from:
11. Couchsurfing
Advantages:
Free accommodation with locals Cultural exchange and often a warm welcome
Disadvantages:
May not be available everywhere Comfort, safety, and privacy vary
Tip: Look for hosts with plenty of positive reviews and communicate clearly before arrival.
Further information can be found on the following sites:
12. Hotel Loyalty Points Or Travel Credit
Advantages:
If you’ve accrued points or credits through previous travels or credit card schemes, this can be a low-cost or cost-free luxury break Comfort and privacy guaranteed
Disadvantages:
Can be limited to where points are accepted Not a long-term solution unless you’ve heavily travelled
Tip: Use during tough transitions (e.g. bad weather or long travel days) to recharge.
13. Back-To-Back Sit Coordination With Overlap Buffer
Advantages:
Some homeowners are flexible with their house sitter dates, and a minor overlap could be negotiated Reduces travel and accommodation gaps
Disadvantages:
Requires advanced planning and communication May not be practical when sits are far apart geographically
Tip: Always clarify exact arrival/departure expectations and consider location logistics carefully.
Final Words
Being a full-time house sitter means embracing flexibility — and that also includes planning for the in-between times. Whether you’re roughing it in a tent, treating yourself to a short rental, or catching up with family or friends, having a plan for gap days reduces stress and makes the lifestyle more enjoyable and more sustainable.
Consider building a personal network of backup options, keeping emergency accommodation funds, and staying open to unconventional solutions. The more adaptable you are, the more smoothly your house sitting journey will run.
2 Comments
Vicky Crabb
September 2 2025 at 12:21 PMI’m just starting out and hadn’t even thought about what to do between sits. This is super helpful. I especially liked the idea of volunteering for accommodation. Win-win!
Gemma the Sitter
August 26 2025 at 11:00 AMI’m not sure if I fancy sleeping in my car, but it might be okay if you can park up with the motor homes so you have other people around you. Luckily I have plenty of family and friends around NZ where I can spend a night or two if I have any gaps between my sits.