We were sitting in a café in Cortona, sipping espressos and scrolling through listings for our next adventure, when Caro stopped and frowned.
She turned the screen toward me. "Look at this," she said. "They want someone to mow a two-acre lawn, groom three poodles daily, and handle 'light renovation' on the guest barn. In exchange for… a single room in the attic."
We laughed it off, but it sparked a serious conversation we’ve had many times since. When does a cultural exchange become exploitation?
If you’ve followed our journey from that first sit together in Bochum to our current life roaming Europe in a campervan, you know we advocate for house sitting as the ultimate travel hack. We have lived in Swiss chalets and Tuscan farmhouses rent-free. But let’s be real: not every listing is a dream match.
There is a growing trend where the "value exchange" gets skewed. Some homeowners view house sitters not as partners in pet care, but as free labor desperate for a roof.
Today, we’re diving deep into the uncomfortable reality of when house owners expect too much, how to spot the red flags, and why you need to decide if house sitting is worth it for your specific travel style before accepting a gig that feels more like a shift at a labor camp.
The "Just a Bed" Fallacy
Many homeowners operate under the impression that house sitters should be eternally grateful simply for the gift of accommodation. You’ll see this sentiment in forums and Facebook groups constantly. The logic goes: "I am saving you hotel costs, therefore you owe me significant labor."
This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the industry. Yes, as sitters, we get to stay in amazing places. But homeowners receive something equally valuable: peace of mind.
They get to travel knowing their home is secure, their plants are alive, and most importantly, their pets are getting one-on-one love rather than staying in a cold kennel.
If a homeowner were to compare the costs of pet boarding vs house sitting, the financial difference for a month-long trip with multiple animals would be astronomical.
When you factor in the security of having an occupied home, literally deterring thieves because the house looks lived in, the financial benefit to the owner is massive. It is a two-way street. If an owner acts like they are doing you a favor by letting you watch their four high-energy border collies, it’s time to swipe left.
The "Farm Hand" Trap: A Case Study
To illustrate exactly what we mean by "expecting too much," let’s look at a generic example of a listing we see all too often. This is the archetype of a listing that is looking for an employee, not a sitter.
Imagine a listing that asks for a "kind and capable farm sitter." It sounds rustic and romantic until you read the fine print. The ask involves four hours of physical labor a day, mucking out stalls, lifting hay bales, checking fences, and handling large livestock like horses or donkeys.
This is where we draw the line. If a listing requires specific physical labor, specialized knowledge of large farm animals, and a set number of "work hours" per day, that is a job. In the United States or Australia, a farm hand doing that work would earn a decent hourly wage. By asking a sitter to do it for free, the owner is exploiting the platform.
If you see a listing that feels more like a shift at a ranch than a holiday, you are better off looking for house sitting jobs or farm hand positions where you are contractually compensated for that level of physical exertion.
Scope Creep: "While You're Here…"
Sometimes the listing looks perfect. One cat, a nice apartment, simple instructions. You apply, you chat, you accept. Then, a week before you arrive (or worse, when you arrive), the requests start trickling in.
"Since you're there, could you just water the garden? It takes about 45 minutes a day."
"We have an Airbnb guest coming to the annex; could you handle the turnover and cleaning?"
"The cat actually needs insulin shots at 4 AM, we forgot to mention that."
This is called scope creep. We always tell people that looking after four or more pets is no longer a house sit but a job. The amount of time you need to devote to looking after a pack of animals leaves you with zero time to explore the area.
If you are house sitting for remote workers, this balance is critical. You cannot work your 9-to-5 job if you are spending four hours a day managing a homeowner’s property maintenance. You need to be firm. Refer back to the original listing. You can politely say, "We are happy to maintain the house as we found it and care for Coco, but we aren't able to commit to landscaping duties or managing Airbnb guests."
If they push back significantly and the dynamic becomes hostile, you might have to consider the difficult process of recovering from a house sit cancellation because staying might be a nightmare for your mental health.
The Difference Between Clean and "Deep Clean"
We pride ourselves on our cleaning standards. We always leave a home as clean, if not cleaner, than we found it. We vacuum, mop, strip the beds, and ensure the kitchen is spotless. This is standard house sitter etiquette.
However, we have heard horror stories of owners expecting sitters to professionally deep clean carpets, scrub down walls, or wash the exterior windows before leaving. A house sit is not a free professional cleaning service. If an owner comes home and complains that you didn't dust the top of the ceiling fans or scrub the grout in the shower with a toothbrush, they had unrealistic expectations.
To avoid this, we always discuss cleaning expectations upfront. Understanding the cleaning and etiquette guide helps you distinguish between being a respectful guest and being treated like unpaid housekeeping staff.
Recognizing the "Micromanager"
Trust is the currency of the house sitting world. If an owner doesn't trust you, the sit will be miserable. We once heard of an owner who checked their internal security cameras to see when the sitters were coming and going, then texted them: "Why have you been out for 4 hours? The dog gets lonely."
This is a massive invasion of privacy. While house sitting safety is important, being under surveillance is not part of the deal. During the interview, ask about cameras. Ask about communication. We usually send daily updates with photos, but we make it clear that we are independent adults.
If an owner wants a minute-by-minute log, they should hire a professional service, not a traveler looking for a cultural exchange.
When Is It Appropriate to Ask for Payment?
There is a gray area where a house sit becomes a paid job. This usually involves high-need animals or commercial activity. If a pet requires round-the-clock care, diapers, complex injections, or cannot be left alone for more than an hour, this goes beyond standard sitting.
Similarly, if you are asked to manage a B&B, accept deliveries for a business, or tend to a working farm, you are generating profit for the owner. In these cases, you shouldn't be looking at exchange sites. You should be researching the average pay for house sitters who handle professional-grade responsibilities.
Even with cats, which are generally easier, boundaries matter. If a listing requires house sitting for cats that need timed medication multiple times a night, preventing you from sleeping, that is specialized labor, not a vacation exchange.
How to Find the "Good" Owners
So, how do you avoid the exploiters and find the dream sits? We have found that the platform you choose makes a huge difference in the quality of homeowners you encounter.
1. Use Paid Platforms
We have found that paid membership platforms generally have a higher caliber of homeowners. When an owner has to pay a fee to list their home, they are usually more serious and understand the value of the exchange. Free classified sites attract more people looking for "free labor."
If you are exploring the U.S., House Sitters America is a fantastic resource with a great community and a user base that generally understands the fair exchange model. For global travel, we swear by Trusted House Sitters. The verification process helps filter out the bad apples, and the sheer volume of sits means you can afford to be picky.
2. Read Between the Lines
Look for listings that talk about the pet’s personality rather than the tasks. A listing that says, "We are looking for someone to cuddle our anxious rescue dog" is usually better than "Need someone to secure premises and maintain grounds."
3. Check Verified Reviews
Never ignore the reviews of previous sitters. If you see a review that is short, vague, or mentions "miscommunication," that is a red flag. Knowing which companies provide verified reviews for housesitting services is crucial for vetting. If a platform allows homeowners to delete bad reviews, you aren't getting the full picture.
4. The Interview is for YOU too
Don't just let the owner interview you. Interview them. Ask: "What does a typical day look like?" "How long can the pets be left alone?" "Do you have a gardener/cleaner, or is that expected of us?" Learning what to ask a homeowner before you house sit is the single best skill you can develop to avoid exploitation.
Knowing Your Worth
When Caro and I started, we felt like imposters. We couldn't believe we were staying in mansions. We felt we had to do more to earn it. But with experience, we realized that we bring a lot to the table. We are reliable, we are insured, and you should be too, so check the ultimate guide to insurance coverage with house sitters, and we genuinely love animals.
As a new house sitter, it is easy to let owners take advantage of your generosity. But remember: You are enabling their lifestyle just as much as they are enabling yours. If a homeowner presents you with a list of demands that makes you feel like a servant rather than a guest, walk away. There are thousands of beautiful homes, kind owners, and loving pets out there waiting for you.
Don't settle for the farm hand gig when you could be sipping wine on a terrace in Tuscany with a sleeping Labrador at your feet. If you are ready to start your journey and want to avoid the rookie mistakes, check out our guide on how to get started in house sitting for a step-by-step roadmap.
Safe travels and happy sitting!
Caro & Konrad 🐾🚐
Is it normal for house sitters to do gardening work?
Light watering of indoor plants or a small patio garden is standard. However, heavy landscaping, mowing large lawns, or weeding for hours is considered manual labor and should not be expected of an unpaid sitter.
Should I accept a house sit that requires 24/7 pet care?
Unless you are a homebody who rarely leaves, 24/7 care is a professional service. Most house sitters expect to be able to leave the home for 4-6 hours a day to explore or run errands.
What should I do if a homeowner adds tasks after I arrive?
This is called scope creep. Politely refer them to the original listing or agreement. If the tasks are minor, you might accept them, but for significant labor, it is appropriate to decline or ask for compensation.
Do house sitters get paid?
Generally, house sitting is a cashless exchange: free accommodation for pet care. However, for high-needs pets, commercial properties, or excessive labor, professional paid sitters are the industry standard.
How can I tell if a listing is exploitative?
Look for keywords like "farm hand," "renovation," or strict hourly schedules. Also, check if they ask for tasks that would normally require a paid professional, like deep cleaning or horse care.
