We've lived in 24 homes and never paid rent!

Bart and Nele Verboven have lived in some of Sydney’s ritziest suburbs over the past six years.

They have lived in two-bedroom units and multi-million dollar mansions, they’ve fed dozens of cats and walked scores of dogs and, in between moving 24 times, they have found time to get married, become Australian citizens and start a family of their own.

The Verbovens were Belgian backpackers from Antwerp when they arrived in Australia six years ago in search of adventure. Now, this young couple are house-sitters extraordinaire. With their two sons, six-month-old Anton and three-year-old Lode, they hop from home to home, moving sometimes up to four times a month to keep a roof over their heads.

Nele and Bart’s first foray into house-sitting happened by chance, when a woman they were renting a room from asked them to look after her cat while she went travelling overseas. “When we started out, we only had a suitcase each and our laptop to move,” says Nele, 35. “It was only when we started having children that it was a bit more tricky. There are some things you need – a cot, pram, play gym, some toys and clothes.

“It is hard for Lode,” she admits. “He can’t have a personalised room of his own, or friends round to play. He gets attached to pets at the houses we sit, and hates to say goodbye when we leave. But he does love exploring the new places we move to.”