{"id":186,"date":"2026-11-10T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ulysse-news-en.ulysse.com\/?p=186"},"modified":"2026-11-09T06:29:42","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T11:29:42","slug":"new-york-homeowners-are-looking-for-volunteers-to-watch-their-homes-and-stay-for-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/new-york-homeowners-are-looking-for-volunteers-to-watch-their-homes-and-stay-for-free","title":{"rendered":"New York Homeowners Are Looking for Volunteers to Watch Their Homes and Stay for Free"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Staying in New York without paying hundreds of dollars a night for a hotel sounds almost impossible, but some travelers are doing exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Homeowners across Manhattan, Brooklyn and other parts of New York are looking for people willing to stay in their apartments or houses while they are away. In exchange, the traveler gets accommodation without paying rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The catch is simple: this is not a free vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of these arrangements involve house-sitting, often with responsibilities such as feeding cats, walking dogs, watering plants or simply keeping an eye on the property while the owner is gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For flexible travelers, retirees, couples or anyone comfortable caring for pets, the arrangement can dramatically reduce the cost of visiting one of the most expensive cities in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real New York Apartments Are Being Offered for November, Christmas and New Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current listings show just how varied these opportunities can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, one listing covers November 12 through November 15 and offers an apartment with a balcony, gym and rooftop terrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Upper West Side, another assignment runs from December 16, 2026, through January 4, 2027. The sitter would stay in the apartment while caring for a cat that requires two insulin injections each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe height=\"578\" width=\"325\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/player\/v1\/7705071996639497485?embed_from=oembed&#038;music_info=1&#038;description=1&#038;autoplay=1&#038;muted=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other listings include an Upper East Side stay from December 19 through December 30 to care for a cat and kitten, a Park Slope apartment with a corgi from November 19 through December 1, and a Red Hook loft available from December 18 through January 9 while the sitter looks after a nine-year-old dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That makes the holiday season especially interesting for travelers willing to exchange some responsibility for free accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is one important distinction, however: these are not properties being handed out by New York City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are private listings posted by homeowners through house-sitting platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Deal Is Usually Free Accommodation in Exchange for Pet Care and Responsibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The basic idea behind house-sitting is straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A homeowner leaves town for a few days or several weeks and does not want to leave the property empty or put a pet into boarding. Instead, the owner chooses a sitter to stay in the home and take care of agreed responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sitter usually does not pay rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In return, they may be expected to walk dogs, feed pets, clean litter boxes, administer medication, collect mail, water plants and maintain a regular presence in the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In many cases, no money changes hands between the owner and the sitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That means the real benefit is accommodation, not a salary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For someone who might otherwise spend $200 or more per night on a <a href=\"https:\/\/ulysse-news-en.ulysse.com\/new-york-is-about-to-lose-one-of-its-most-famous-hotels-for-years\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"107\">New York hotel<\/a>, the potential savings can be substantial. A ten-night stay at $200 per night would represent $2,000 in avoided hotel costs, although actual savings obviously depend on what the traveler would otherwise have booked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Several Websites Connect Travelers With New York Homeowners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">TrustedHousesitters is one of the best-known platforms for this type of exchange and regularly features New York City listings involving cats, dogs and other pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nomador offers a similar system and is available in several languages, while MindMyHouse is another international option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HouseSitSearch works more like a search engine, allowing travelers to compare listings from different sites based on location, dates, trip length and the type of animals involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of these services require membership fees, so \u201cfree accommodation\u201d does not necessarily mean the entire trip costs nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travelers still need to pay for flights or other transportation to New York, meals, insurance and everyday expenses. Some platforms also charge annual subscriptions or booking-related fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And paying for a membership does not guarantee that an owner will choose you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting Picked Can Be Competitive, Especially for Manhattan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most attractive New York listings can receive significant interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travelers can improve their chances by creating a detailed profile, providing references and showing previous experience with animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some platforms offer identity checks and reviews from earlier stays, which can help owners feel more comfortable handing over access to their home and pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applicants should also read every listing carefully before agreeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A house-sit involving a healthy cat that needs food once or twice per day is very different from caring for an elderly dog that cannot be left alone for long periods or an animal requiring medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That difference can determine how much of New York the traveler is actually able to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">There Is One Important Warning for International Visitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Foreign travelers should also look carefully at U.S. immigration rules before accepting a house-sitting arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A tourist visa or ESTA does not automatically permit someone to perform services in exchange for accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when no salary is paid, receiving housing in return for caring for a property or animals can raise immigration questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">International travelers should therefore verify what activities are allowed under their specific immigration status before committing to a stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For U.S. residents, that issue is much simpler, making house-sitting potentially more straightforward as a domestic travel strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">This May Be One of the Cheapest Ways to Stay in New York, but It Comes With Responsibilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the right traveler, the arrangement can be extremely attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Manhattan or Brooklyn apartment without a nightly hotel bill can turn an otherwise expensive New York trip into something far more affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the best way to think about house-sitting is not as \u201cfree housing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is an exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The homeowner gets someone they trust to care for their home and often their pets. The traveler gets a place to stay without paying rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And during expensive periods such as Christmas and New Year, that trade can be worth a lot.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Travelers are finding a way to stay in New York without paying hotel prices, but the deal comes with one important catch: you may have to take care of someone else\u2019s home and pets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":187,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","rank_math_canonical_url":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=186"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":188,"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186\/revisions\/188"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulysse.com\/en\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}