From Panic to Plan B: recovering From a House Sit Cancellation

"I would like to cancel because my son is sick and wants to be back home. Is that okay with you?"

The message popped up on my phone screen. My stomach immediately dropped.

Caro and I had a house sit in the Netherlands ready to go the very next week. We had already cancelled all our other plans. We had cleared our schedule specifically to look after this owner's cats for seven days.

We stared at the screen in silence. What were we supposed to say?

"No, you can't let your sick son stay at your home because it's our house sit?"

Of course not. We’re human. We swallowed our huge disappointment and typed back, "No problem, we hope he feels better."

The very next moment, a cold notification pinged on the app: House Sit Cancelled.

That was it. Just straight-up cancelled.

We were shocked that the platform didn't communicate with us at all. There was no email asking for our side of the story. No support message. Just a robotic notification ending our plans.

Luckily, in this specific case, the house sit was only two hours away from our home base. Besides missing out on a week with a few cute cats, we didn't lose anything financially.

But it got us thinking. What if we had booked non-refundable flights? What if we were already at the airport?

Last-minute cancellations are the nightmare scenario for every sitter. Whether you are doing this full-time like us or just for a holiday, you need a game plan.

Here is exactly how to handle it, prevent it, and survive it without losing your mind (or your money).

The Reality of "Trust-Based" Travel

The first thing you have to accept is that house sitting is built on trust. It isn't a hotel booking.

There is no front desk to complain to. Usually, there is no corporate guarantee that immediately puts a roof over your head if things go south.

When you look at the standard definition of a house sitter, it usually involves a mutual exchange. You provide care, they provide accommodation.

Because no money is changing hands for the nightly rate, the legal contracts are often non-existent or very loose. This means you are vulnerable.

In our Netherlands situation, the owner had a reason that felt valid to her. Her son was a grown man living outside of the house, but he was sick and wanted to be home. That is why she wanted to cancel.

Honestly, what are we as sitters meant to do? Fight with the owners of the house?

If we argue, we risk getting a 1-star review. It’s a delicate balance.

We have read horror stories on Reddit where people purchased flights and hired a car. Then, in the end, the house owners cancelled without speaking another word.

Some even reposted the house sit for the same dates immediately after!

What Actually Counts as a Valid Cancellation?

So, when is it "okay" for a sit to be pulled?

In our experience, and based on community standards, cancellations should only happen in "extraordinary circumstances." We are talking about major life events.

Things that usually qualify include:

If an owner cancels because they "changed their mind" or decided to stay home to watch movies, that is a breach of the unwritten contract.

But here is the hard truth. Technically, they can do it.

It is the homeowner's property. Even though you are there to do house sitting jobs, there is rarely a contract stating they must let you in.

If they want to return home early and end a sit before the agreed date, they can. It’s rude, it’s stressful, but it’s their house.

The "Insurance" Myth

One of the first questions we get asked is, "Doesn't the website cover you?"

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but usually, no. They don't have insurance that covers you in the way you might think.

Platforms like Trusted House Sitters offer what they call "insurance," but it is often more of a goodwill payment.

It isn't a guaranteed payout. It is decided on an individual basis.

If they decide you deserve to get a payout for alternative accommodation, great. But do not bank your entire emergency fund on this.

It is vital to read our guide on insurance coverage for sitters so you know exactly where you stand.

Red Flags: How to Spot a Flake Before It Happens

Since you can't 100% guarantee a sit won't be cancelled, the next best thing is spotting the warning signs early.

Caro and I have become detectives when we apply for sits. We look for specific cues on their house sitting profile.

The biggest red flag? Communication silence.

From reading plenty of posts online and our own experience, the biggest indication that a homeowner will flake is when they stop responding.

If you are weeks away from a sit and the owner takes 5 days to reply to a simple text, be wary. If they ghost you entirely for a week, start making a backup plan.

You should also look closely at their history. This is why we rely on platforms with verified reviews.

If an owner has cancelled before, it will often show up on their profile. Sometimes a previous sitter might have mentioned it in a review.

Step-by-Step: What To Do If You Get Cancelled On

Okay, it happened. You got the notification. The panic is setting in.

Here is your emergency checklist.

1. Keep Your Cool and Communicate
Even if you are angry, do not send a nasty message. You don't want to get banned from the platform for abuse.

Respond professionally. Ask if there is any flexibility or if the cancellation is 100% final.

2. Ask for Proof (Carefully)
Should you ask for proof of the emergency? You can, but it's tricky. There are no legal ramifications for the house owner cancelling the sit last minute.

However, if you are trying to claim that "goodwill payment" from the platform, the platform itself might require proof from the owner. Let the platform handle the investigation.

3. Contact the Platform Support Immediately
While we were shocked the platform didn't communicate with us during our cancellation, you should still reach out to them.

Report the cancellation. Ensure it is logged on the owner's record. This helps ensure it doesn't happen to someone else without consequence.

If you are worried about the rules, check out our article on house sitting legal issues.

4. Find a Last-Minute Replacement
This is where being flexible helps. Jump back on the site. Look for "local" sits.

Many owners have last-minute emergencies where their sitter cancelled on them. You can be the hero who saves the day.

Check out our guide on how to find house sitting near you to find something in the immediate vicinity to save your trip.

Can You (The Sitter) Cancel?

We have talked a lot about owners cancelling, but what about us?

Is it ethical for a sitter to cancel a confirmed sit if they get a "better" offer?

Absolutely not.

Caro and I find that often, we apply to a house sit and then the next minute 10 other perfect house sits pop up. But we never cancel.

On most bigger platforms like Trusted House Sitters, the sitter is actually unable to press a "cancel" button on a confirmed sit. It can usually only be done from the side of the homeowner.

You would have to message the owner and beg them to cancel it.

If your reason is that you "found a better sit," you are damaging the ecosystem. These platforms work on trust.

If people start neglecting that, they will find it impossible to find sits in the future due to the review system.

The only time you should cancel is for those same "extraordinary circumstances", illness, death in the family, or genuine emergencies.

How to Protect Yourself Financially

Since we know insurance is wishy-washy, how do we protect our wallets?

1. Don't Book Travel Too Early
If the sit is months away, hold off on booking non-refundable flights until you have had a video call.

We always try to have a WhatsApp call. If they show us the house, we feel better. If they hide the house? Red flag.

2. Have an Emergency Fund
When people ask about the average pay for house sitters, we tell them the payment is the free rent.

But "free" comes with risks. You need to have enough savings to pay for a hotel or an Airbnb for a few nights if things go wrong.

3. Look for "Sits Within Sits"
If you are travelling long distances, try to have a gap between sits.

Many people ask if they can travel affordably across the US using house sitting. Yes, but only if you are flexible enough to handle a bump in the road.

4. Diversify Your Platforms
Don't rely on just one site. We have profiles on multiple platforms. If a sit falls through on one, we can quickly scan the others.

For options in the USA, check our list of best house sitting platforms in the United States.

If you are travelling abroad, look at platforms for international housesitting.

There are many great sites out there. We like House Sitters America for US travel, and Aussie House Sitters if you are heading down under.

The Emotional Toll (and Why We Still Do It)

Getting cancelled on hurts. It feels personal, even when it isn't.

In our Netherlands case, we were ready to bond with those cats. We had mentally moved in. When the notification came, it felt like a door slamming in our faces.

But we didn't let it stop us.

We realized that for every one cancellation, there are twenty incredible experiences waiting. We have stayed in Swiss chalets and Italian farmhouses. We have lived a life most people wait until retirement to enjoy.

It is worth noting the many benefits of house sitting. The freedom usually outweighs the stress.

If you are worried about safety, it is worth reading up on house sitting safety tips so you feel more empowered. Knowledge is your best defense against anxiety.

Summary: Your "Anti-Cancellation" Toolkit

To wrap this up, here is what Caro and I recommend you do to minimize the pain of cancellations:

House sitting is an adventure, and adventures have twists. Don't let the fear of a cancellation stop you from exploring house sitting opportunities that could change your life.

If you are new to this and wondering what house sitters usually do all day (besides worrying about cancellations!), check out our other guides.

You might also be wondering if house sitters have to stay overnight. Spoiler: usually yes, to keep the pets safe.

And hey, if you ever find yourself stuck with a cancelled sit and nowhere to go, reach out to the community. We are a helpful bunch.

Good luck, and may your notifications always be "Confirmed" rather than "Cancelled."

Caro & Konrad 🐾🚐
DM us @housesittersguide if you have questions — we answer everyone!

• Can a homeowner cancel a house sit last minute?

  Unfortunately, yes. Since it is their property, homeowners can cancel at any time.

• Do house sitting websites offer insurance for cancellations?

  Most platforms offer a "sit cancellation guarantee," but it is not standard insurance. It is often a goodwill gesture decided case-by-case. You usually need to prove the cancellation was within 14 days of the start date to receive any compensation for alternative accommodation.

• Is it okay for me to cancel a confirmed house sit if I find a better one?

  No, this is considered very poor etiquette. Cancelling for a "better offer" damages your reputation and the trust of the community. You should only cancel for genuine emergencies, such as severe illness or family matters.

• How can I spot a homeowner who might cancel on me?

  Watch out for communication gaps. If an owner takes days to reply to simple messages or refuses a video call, these are red flags. Always look for profiles with verified reviews from previous sitters to ensure they are reliable.

• What should I do immediately after a house sit is cancelled?

  First, stay calm and reply professionally. Second, contact the platform's support to log the cancellation. Third, start looking for "local" or last-minute house sits in the area to replace the lost accommodation.