Every experienced sitter has a story about “the sit from hell.” The one with the aggressive dog that “just needs redirection.” The spotless home with hidden mould. The homeowner who expected daily deep cleaning.
Looking back, there were always signs. The key is learning to spot them before you commit – not after you're stuck.
A note on perspective: Red flags are somewhat personal. What's a dealbreaker for one sitter might be fine for another. Someone who loves gardening won't mind plant care; someone with a car won't worry about rural isolation. Use this guide as a starting point, then develop your own list based on what matters to you.
This guide focuses on specific sits. For broader issues across the housesitting ecosystem – indoor cameras, review inflation, platform dynamics – see What Platforms Won't Tell You.
Red flags in the listing
Before you even apply, the listing itself can tell you a lot.
Vagueness
- Very brief description
A few sentences about multiple pets and a whole house? Either they're hiding something or don't take it seriously.
- Few or no photos
Especially of the bedroom you'd use. What are they not showing?
- No pet details
Age, breed, temperament should be clear. “Two dogs” tells you nothing.
Excessive demands
- Multiple cleanliness mentions
“We have white carpets...” “Please remove shoes...” “House must be spotless...” Repeated emphasis suggests unrealistic expectations.
- Long lists of responsibilities
Pets + garden + pool + chickens + daily cleaning + errands. At what point does it stop being housesitting?
- “Contribution” to bills
On free-exchange platforms, you're providing a service. Asking sitters to pay towards utilities is a red flag.
Unrealistic pet situations
- “Can't be left alone”
Some pets genuinely can't be alone for more than an hour. That's a lifestyle, not a sit. Know what you're signing up for.
- “Needs 24/7 care”
Unless you're specifically looking for palliative or intensive care, this will consume your entire trip.
- Severe separation anxiety mentioned
At least they're honest. But separation anxiety often means barking, destruction, and zero freedom.
Red flags in their reviews
- No reviews at all
Everyone starts somewhere, but new homeowners need more vetting. Ask extra questions.
- Gaps in review history
Missing reviews can indicate sits that went badly – where sitters chose not to leave feedback. Look for patterns.
- Generic, copy-paste reviews
“Great pets, lovely home” from everyone tells you nothing. Look for specific details.
- Sitters mentioning “challenges”
Even positive reviews sometimes contain warnings. “The dogs were a handful but we managed” is diplomatic code.
- Review from only one friend
Some homeowners get a friend to do their first sit. One review from someone with the same surname? Dig deeper.
Sitter tip: On some platforms, unreviewed sits don't show as gaps in the website view but do show in the app. Check both.
Red flags in conversation
This is where the real warning signs emerge.
About previous sitters
- “Our last sitter was terrible”
Once is understandable. If every previous sitter had problems, the common factor might be them.
- “We've never found anyone good enough”
You won't be either. Perfectionism in homeowners usually means nothing you do will satisfy.
About pet behaviour
- “He just needs a bit of redirection”
Classic understatement for reactive or aggressive behaviour. Ask specific follow-up questions.
- “She's protective”
Often means territorial or aggressive with strangers. How protective, exactly?
- “Fine once he gets to know you”
How long does that take? A week of difficult behaviour while the pet “adjusts” to you?
- Evasive about alone time
If they dodge the question about how long the pet can be left, assume the answer is “not at all.”
Process red flags
- Confirming without a video call
If they confirm you instantly without wanting to talk, ask why. They may be desperate – which raises the question why.
- Slow or unreliable communication
If they take days to respond before the sit, imagine trying to reach them during an emergency.
- Reluctant to show the home
On a video call, a virtual tour is reasonable. Resistance suggests they're hiding something.
- New responsibilities in the welcome guide
If the welcome guide includes tasks not in the listing, they withheld information deliberately.
Surveillance & Micromanagement
This is one of the fastest-growing complaints in housesitting forums. The proliferation of smart home devices has created new ways for homeowners to monitor — and sometimes control — sitters from afar.
The Camera Problem
Indoor cameras are a major red flag when undisclosed — and sitters are discovering them more often than you might think:
“I belatedly noticed after a sit reading the fine print that the home owner had internal security cameras which made me feel very uncomfortable in retrospect.”
— Sitter, THS Forum
“I noticed cameras at the front and service door that were NOT disclosed at all, despite already having concerns about the homeowner's controlling and belittling behavior during the video interview.”
— Sitter, THS Forum
“I was walking around the house in a state of undress at various times en route to pool or shower.”
— Sitter who discovered hidden cameras after sit concluded, THS Forum
Smart Home Monitoring
Even without cameras, smart doorbells and home devices create a surveillance dynamic that many sitters find uncomfortable:
“I received a message from homeowners after opening a window, asking me not to do so due to an antique lamp. When I asked how they knew, the owners explained they get notifications from Ring on their phone.”
— Sitter, THS Forum
“Being in a big brotherish environment where my every move is being spied on. Seems creepy to me.”
— Sitter, THS Forum
“If the pet owner is monitoring comings and goings while away, they can't be having a fantastic holiday if they are getting their kicks watching their ring app.”
— Sitter, THS Forum
What to Ask Before Accepting
- Are there any cameras inside the home? Ask directly, not as an afterthought.
- What smart home devices are active? Ring doorbells, smart speakers, motion sensors.
- Will you receive notifications about the home while away? Some monitoring is reasonable; constant tracking isn't.
- If there are cameras, can they be turned off or covered? Reasonable homeowners will agree to this.
Co-Habiting Surprises
Another pattern that emerges in forum discussions: situations that aren't quite what they seemed from the listing.
- Family members appearing during the sit
The “whole house” turns out to have a teenager in the basement, or a parent who “might pop by occasionally.”
- Shared spaces not mentioned
“Your room” was advertised, but the kitchen, bathroom, and living areas are shared with residents.
- Children remaining in the property
The housesit subtly becomes childcare. This should always be explicit and agreed upfront.
The Micromanagement Dynamic
Cameras and constant checking often correlate with micromanagement. One compilation of common issues described it this way:
“Disproportionate expectations and micromanagement, expecting daily detailed updates and frequent communication, which creates an unpaid supervisor-employee dynamic.”
If the video call felt like a job interview with someone who seemed controlling — trust that instinct. The sit will likely feel the same way.
What the photos tell you
- Visible clutter or mess
If this is how they present their home to attract sitters, how is it normally?
- No bedroom photo
Where will you sleep? On a sofa bed? A children's room? Request to see it.
- All exterior shots
Beautiful garden, but you'll be living inside. What aren't they showing?
- Only photos of pets
Cute, but tells you nothing about living conditions.
The saying goes: “Clean enough to be healthy, messy enough to be happy” – but if the listing photos look messy, the reality is usually worse.
Orange flags: worth discussing
Not everything is a dealbreaker. Some things just need clarification:
New to the platform
Ask more questions, check references outside the platform
Elderly or unwell pets
Clarify expectations and emergency protocols
Rural location
Confirm you'll have transport or don't need it
Multiple pets
Understand the workload before committing
Long sits
Ensure you can genuinely commit to the full period
Unusual pet types
Confirm you have relevant experience
When to walk away
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Walking away before confirming is always better than:
- • Being stuck in an awful situation for weeks
- • Cancelling later (which hurts your reputation)
- • Leaving a sit early (awkward for everyone)
- • Damaging your review history
Remember: There are always more sits. If this one has too many red flags, the next one might be perfect. Experienced sitters learn to be selective – that's how they build their track record of successful sits.
The bottom line
Red flags aren't about being suspicious of everyone. They're about protecting your time, energy, and reputation. The best sits happen when both sides are honest about what they need.
Learn to spot the warnings, ask the right questions, and trust your gut. Your future self – happily enjoying a genuine dream sit – will thank you.
Printable Red Flag Checklists
Two versions: one for homeowners evaluating sitters, one for sitters evaluating sits. Circle your concerns, rate their severity, and make informed decisions.