First: you're not alone. Forums are full of sitters who've had sits go wrong – and most felt isolated, unsure what to do, and afraid of the consequences of speaking up. This guide is the honest conversation those forums have in private.
Types of problems (and how serious they are)
Not all problems warrant the same response. Here's how to calibrate:
Minor issues (annoying but manageable)
Home dirtier than expected, minor inaccuracies in listing, pet quirks not mentioned, less comfortable than photos suggested.
Response: Document, adapt, mention in review if helpful for future sitters. Move on.
Moderate issues (concerning, needs addressing)
Significant pet behaviour issues not disclosed, home conditions below acceptable, unreasonable demands after arrival, undisclosed indoor cameras.
Response: Document thoroughly. Contact homeowner directly. If unresolved, contact platform. Consider early departure.
Serious issues (safety or welfare at stake)
Aggressive pet posing danger, unsafe living conditions, harassment from homeowner, pet medical emergency owner won't address, hidden cameras in private spaces.
Response: Prioritise your safety. Leave if necessary. Document everything. Report to platform immediately. Police if appropriate.
The misleading listing problem
This is the most common complaint in sitter forums. The listing said one thing; reality is another. Sometimes it's innocent oversight. Sometimes it's deliberate misrepresentation.
“The photos showed a beautiful country cottage. What they didn't show was the mould in the bathroom, the broken heating, and the road noise that made sleep impossible.”
— Sitter, THS Forum
“‘Friendly, well-trained dog’ turned out to be reactive to everything – other dogs, bikes, joggers, cars. I spent two weeks unable to walk him properly because I was genuinely afraid.”
— Sitter, Reddit
Common misrepresentations
- Pet behaviour: Reactivity, separation anxiety, aggression described as “sometimes nervous” or “needs reassurance”
- Pet count/type: “Two cats” that are actually semi-feral barn cats plus indoor cats plus a dog
- Home condition: Photos from years ago, significant cleanliness issues, broken amenities
- Time requirements: “Low maintenance” pets that actually need 4+ hours daily attention
- Location reality: “Walking distance to town” meaning a 45-minute hike
The undisclosed camera situation
Indoor cameras are a flashpoint issue. Most platforms require disclosure. Discovering one you weren't told about is a serious breach of trust.
What to do if you find undisclosed cameras
- Document the camera's location – photograph it, note where it's pointing
- Check your platform's listing – was it disclosed anywhere you missed?
- Contact the homeowner immediately – ask directly about it
- If undisclosed, report to platform – this violates most platform policies
- You have the right to leave – undisclosed surveillance is grounds for departure
Know the difference: Outdoor security cameras (doorbell, driveway) are normal and usually don't need explicit disclosure. Indoor cameras watching living spaces should always be disclosed. Cameras in bedrooms or bathrooms are never acceptable.
Document everything (before you need to)
The sitters who navigate problems best are those who documented from day one. Not because they expected trouble, but because they understand protection.
- Photograph the home on arrival – every room, especially any existing issues
- Screenshot all communications – don't rely on platform records alone
- Note pet behaviour early – especially anything that differs from listing
- Keep vet records – if you take pets to vet, get copies of everything
- Log significant events – dates, times, what happened, who was informed
“I took photos of every room when I arrived. The home was dirty. When I left it cleaner than I found it, the owner complained about cleaning. My arrival photos saved me from a bad review.”
— Experienced sitter
When to leave early
This is the question nobody wants to ask: can you leave a sit early? Yes. But it's complicated.
Legitimate reasons to leave
- Safety concerns – aggressive pet, unsafe property, harassment
- Significant misrepresentation – material differences from listing that affect your ability to do the sit
- Health emergency – yours, family, or the pets (if owner won't address)
- Uninhabitable conditions – no working bathroom, dangerous living conditions
Before you leave
- Contact the homeowner first – explain the issue, give them chance to resolve
- Document why – photos, screenshots, written record of issues
- Contact the platform – inform them before leaving if possible
- Don't just disappear – the pets need care. Ensure handover to owner or replacement
- Keep records – you may need to defend your decision later
The review risk
Let's be honest: leaving a sit early, even for valid reasons, often results in a negative review. This is the fear that keeps sitters in untenable situations.
But your safety and wellbeing matter more than a review. If you have documentation of legitimate issues, most future hosts will understand. And platforms do sometimes remove unfair reviews when there's clear evidence of misrepresentation or safety issues.
The reality of platform support
Platform support is... variable. Understanding what they can and can't (or will and won't) do helps set realistic expectations.
They might
- • Mediate communication between parties
- • Help find emergency replacement sitter
- • Remove clearly policy-violating listings
- • Note issues on a homeowner's account
- • Provide limited compensation (premium members)
They probably won't
- • Remove reviews you think are unfair
- • Take sides in he-said-she-said disputes
- • Act quickly (days or weeks, not hours)
- • Guarantee any specific outcome
- • Cover your costs for leaving early
“When sitters try to get assistance from TrustedHousesitters and offer proof that homeowners lied in their reviews, TrustedHousesitters has refused to help or remove reviews, saying reviews cannot be edited even when false statements are made.”
— Compiled from sitter forums
Preventing this next time
Experience teaches you what to look for. Here's what veteran sitters do differently:
Before accepting
- Read between the review lines – “kept us busy!” means exhausting; “unique home” might mean problematic
- Notice missing reviews – if sitters didn't leave reviews, ask yourself why
- Ask hard questions on video call – “What would you say is the hardest part of caring for your pets?”
- Request recent photos – if listing photos look old, ask for current ones
- Ask about alone time – “How long can the pets be left?” Vague answers are warnings
During the video call
- Ask for a home tour – see the actual current state
- Meet the pets on camera – watch their behaviour with the owner
- Ask about indoor cameras – directly, before confirming
- Trust your instincts – if something feels off, it probably is
If this is a paid arrangement
Paid sits have different stakes. When money has changed hands, the dynamic shifts from “will this affect my reviews?” to “what are my contractual obligations?”
What changes with paid work
- You have contractual obligations. If you've agreed to specific dates and been paid, leaving early isn't just about reputation – it's about the agreement you made.
- Refunds become the question. If you leave early, does the homeowner get money back? How is that calculated? This should be in your agreement before you start.
- No platform to mediate. Direct bookings mean you're handling disputes directly. There's no customer service to call. Understanding the insurance gap is essential before taking on paid work.
- Professional reputation matters differently. Word travels. One messy exit from a paid arrangement can affect referrals more than a single bad platform review.
Before you agree to any paid sit
Get these in writing before you accept payment:
- What happens if you need to leave early? Pro-rated refund? Full refund minus a fee? No refund if you leave voluntarily?
- What happens if the homeowner returns early? Do you still get full payment? Partial? Does it depend on notice given?
- What constitutes valid reasons to exit? Safety issues, significant misrepresentation, emergencies – define what qualifies.
- How are disputes resolved? Hopefully never needed, but better to discuss when everyone's calm.
Our housesitting agreement template includes sections for paid arrangements. Use it.
The uncomfortable reality: If a paid sit goes badly wrong and you need to leave, you're in a harder position than with free-exchange. Money creates obligation. This is exactly why thorough vetting and clear agreements matter even more with paid work.
The hard truth about recourse
When things go wrong on a sit, your options are limited. This isn't to discourage you – it's to be honest about the reality:
- Platforms have limited power. They can mediate and note issues, but can't force outcomes.
- Reviews cut both ways. Honest reviews help the community but risk retaliation.
- Legal action is rarely practical. Cross-border, low-value claims are expensive to pursue.
- Prevention is your best protection. Thorough vetting saves heartache later.
This is why experienced sitters become selective. They've learned that saying no to questionable sits is better than dealing with the consequences of a bad one.
Moving forward
If you've had a sit go wrong:
- Process it. Bad sits are stressful. It's okay to feel frustrated, angry, or disillusioned.
- Learn from it. What would you do differently? What red flags did you miss?
- Leave an honest review. Help the next sitter. Stick to facts, not emotions.
- Be more selective. You don't have to accept every sit. Your wellbeing matters.
- Consider your options. Repeat sits with known homeowners, paid arrangements, or direct relationships offer more control.
The bottom line
Housesitting mostly goes well. But when it doesn't, you need to know your options. Document everything, communicate clearly, and don't be afraid to prioritise your safety and wellbeing.
The best protection is prevention: thorough vetting, honest conversations, and the willingness to say no to sits that don't feel right. Your experience and instincts matter. Trust them.