Everyone assumes the biggest risk in house sitting is the stranger in your home. Or, if you’re the sitter, the stranger whose home you’re in. The narrative is always about rogue sitters, trashed houses, or neglected pets. But the most common fear holding people back isn't based on what usually happens; it's based on the rare, dramatic outlier. The truth is, the system is safer than you think, not because nothing ever goes wrong, but because of how the community handles it when it does.
Just as I sat down to write this, Caro shared a story that would make most people delete their house sitting app. A sitter with over 20 five-star reviews was on a sit when the homeowner's daughter, who had to pop by, stole five pieces of makeup from her bag.
It sounds like a nightmare scenario, confirming every skeptic's deepest fears. Yet, the resolution to this story is precisely why Caro and I feel so secure in this lifestyle. The homeowner, horrified, not only ensured the items were returned the next day but also offered monetary compensation and posted a public, humbling review explaining her mistake and reassuring future sitters it would never happen again.
This incident, in a strange way, answers questions, about "house sitting safety" better than a thousand perfect experiences ever could. It demonstrates that the foundation of trust is so powerful that even when things go sideways, the community's impulse is to self-correct, and do so publicly.
The Real Currency of House Sitting: Reputation Over Everything
As we discussed in our guide on the life-changing perks of house sitting, the exchange isn't just about a free stay. The real transaction is built on trust, and the currency is reputation. I’ve never cared about online reviews as much as I do on our house sitting profile. That collection of five-star ratings is our passport to the world, from Swiss chalets to Tuscan farmhouses. It’s the reason we buy a welcome bottle of wine for our hosts and why we clean more than is strictly necessary.
We’re not alone. I recently saw a sitter with a pristine profile receive a single four-star review. They wrote a detailed, passionate, multi-paragraph response explaining their side of the story. The sheer effort showed how much that one-star dip mattered. This is the ecosystem's built-in security feature. When your ability to travel affordably across the globe depends entirely on your public profile, you don’t do anything to jeopardize it. The stakes are simply too high.
This is why finding a platform that offers verified reviews for housesitting services is non-negotiable. It creates a transparent history that tells a far more accurate story than any single interview can.
The Platform's Guard Rails: More Than Just a Listing Site
A common misconception is that house sitting websites are like Craigslist, a Wild West of unvetted strangers. In reality, the best house sitting platforms are built with layers of security designed to filter out precisely the kind of people you wouldn’t want in your home.
The Financial Filter
Most people get turned off when they see they need to pay a membership fee, which can be upwards of €129. Good. This paywall is one of the most effective, if simple, vetting tools. It instantly weeds out anyone who isn't serious, committed, and invested in the process. It signals that a person values the community and is willing to have some skin in the game. If you're curious about the breakdown, our guide to housesitting fees explains why this is a feature, not a bug.
Identity Verification
The baseline for any reputable platform is a mandatory ID check. This ensures the person messaging you is the same person whose face is on the profile and whose name is tied to the account. It’s a simple step, but it removes the anonymity that allows bad actors to thrive elsewhere online.
The Insurance Backstop
Even with all these precautions, life happens. That's why having insurance provides essential peace of mind. Platforms like TrustedHousesitters offer insurance packages with their premium memberships (the €169 option). On top of that, we personally use travel insurance from N26. In my eleven years of non-stop travel, I’ve never had to file a major claim, but knowing I have that safety net for my gear and my health lets me sleep soundly, whether I'm in a tent or a mansion. For us, it's non-negotiable, especially when we're looking at amazing international housesitting opportunities.
Practical Safety: Your Own Due Diligence
The platform provides the framework, but you build the house. Both sitters and homeowners have a responsibility to take proactive steps to ensure a safe and smooth experience.
For House Sitters
Your safety starts with your selection process. Just as homeowners scrutinize you, you should scrutinize them.
Reviews are a Two-Way Street: We only apply for sits with homeowners who have multiple positive reviews from other sitters. This tells us they are communicative, their home is as-advertised, and their pets are well-behaved.
The Video Call is Mandatory: We never, ever agree to a sit without a video call. It’s a vibe check. You can see the pets, get a feel for the person's personality, and ask detailed questions about their expectations. This is where you clarify everything from what a sitter is usually expected to do to whether you're required to stay overnight.
Start Local: If you're nervous, don't make your first sit a six-week stint in another country. Use the platform filters to find house sitting near you. A weekend sit for a cat in the next town over is a perfect way to build your confidence and your profile.
For Homeowners
Choosing someone to care for your home and pets feels like a monumental decision, but a few key checks can eliminate most potential issues.
Profile Deep Dive: Look for a complete, well-written house sitting profile. Does it show their personality? Does it express a genuine love for animals? An incomplete or generic profile is a pass for us.
Scan for Red Flags: A 4-star review should make you pause and read the details carefully. While not always a dealbreaker, it warrants a direct question during the video call. We've compiled a list of other common red flags in a pet sitter that every homeowner should know.
Trust Your Gut: After the video call, how do you feel? If something feels off, even if you can't put your finger on it, it's okay to move on. There will always be another great sitter.
So, Is House Sitting Safe?
After 14 sits across eight countries, our answer is a resounding yes. The system isn't just safe; it’s resilient. It’s a community built on the powerful incentive of maintaining a stellar public reputation. The combination of platform-level security, the financial barrier to entry, and the critical importance of verified reviews creates an environment where trust is the default setting.
Negative things can happen anywhere, valuables can be stolen by cleaners in five-star hotels. But in the world of house sitting, the accountability is public and the consequences for breaking trust are career-ending. So, yes, house sitting is safe, because everyone involved has a deeply vested interest in keeping it that way.
Stay Safe
Konrad and Caro
What happens if a house sitter cancels at the last minute?
Reputable platforms like TrustedHousesitters have support teams to help you find a replacement sitter. Additionally, a last-minute cancellation severely damages the sitter's profile and review score, making it a very rare occurrence for committed sitters who rely on their reputation.
As a homeowner, what is my liability if a sitter gets injured on my property?
This typically falls under your standard homeowner's insurance policy. It's crucial to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage for guests in your home. Some house sitting platforms also offer insurance plans that can provide additional liability protection.
Can I run my own background check on a potential house sitter?
While platforms perform their own checks, you are free to ask a sitter if they would consent to an additional background check at your expense. However, most experienced sitters see the platform's verification, extensive reviews, and a thorough video interview as sufficient.
Is it safe to leave my car for a house sitter to use?
This adds a layer of complexity. You must contact your auto insurance provider to see if a guest driver is covered under your policy or if you need to add them temporarily. Always create a written agreement outlining rules, mileage limits, and who is responsible for deductibles in case of an accident.
What's the best way to secure my personal documents and valuables during a sit?
While theft is extremely rare, it's always wise to secure sensitive items. Use a locked room, a safe, or a locked filing cabinet for passports, financial documents, and irreplaceable sentimental items. For general valuables, trust is key, but securing highly personal items is a common and sensible precaution.
