The Essential Questions The Redd Flags Every House Sitter Needs to Know (Before It’s Too Late)
House stting can be one of the most rewarding ways to travel the world, care for animals you love, and build meaningful connections with homeowners who become friends.
Over the past 2.5 years across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, I’ve experienced the magic of waking up to caring for beloved dogs and cats, and sheep in rural fields, and living in homes that felt like my own.
But not all house sits are rosy success stories that you may not have heard as not every sits is a dream, and sometimes the warning signs are thre from the very beginning if you know what to look for.
This post isn’t meant to scare you away from house sitting. It’s meant to help you make confident, informed decisions so you can choose sits that align with your values, protect your safety especially if your house sitting solo, and set you up for a magical experience.
Why Red Flags Matter (And Your Gut Instict Is Your Best Tool)
When you’re excited about traveling somewhere new or falling in love with a pet’s photo, it’s easy to overlook the small things that don’t feel quite right. Maybe the homeowner seems a bit disorganised. Maybe their listing as a few inconsistencies. Maybe you feel a tiny hestitation during the video call but talk yourself out of it.
What I have learnt from house sitting for over two and half years now and have also had house sitter taking care of my own home is those small feeling matter.
Your intuition isn’t being paranoid. It is your brain picking up on subtle cues that something might not align with what you need for a safe, enjoyable sit.
The Red Flags I’ve Learned to Watch for
after completing 14 five-star house sits and navigating a few situations that taught me some hard lessons, here are the red flags I now recognise immediately:
The Homeowner Who Treats the Video Call Like a Job Interview
If a homeowner says things like “I have five more people to interview” or threats the conversation like you’re applying for a position rather than entering a mutal exchange of trust, that’s a signal.
House sitting is a partnership. Both parties should feel excited about the match. If it feels transactional or overly formal, trust that feeling.
Green flag alternative: Homeowners who show off their pets during the call, say they are laid back, who are warm and transparent, curious about you, ask throughful questions, and make you feel like you have been friends forever before you’ve even entered into a partnership agreement.
Unrealistic Pet Care Expectations
Some listings read like military schedules: “Peter the dog must go to the toilet at 6:50am sharp, be feed four times per day at 8:15 am, then a snack at 11:22 am, lunch at 12:20 pm, and then at 6:00 pm no later. Sitters can only leave the house for 2 hours because Peter has severe anxiety”.
While some pets do have special needs as I have taken care of a few that needed to go an have emergency treatment due to being older pets, ask yourself: Does this sound like how the owner actually lives their lives and does it work for me?
If a homeowner claiims they never leave their pet alone for more than two hours, it’s worth questioning whether that’s realistic of if you’re being set up for an impossible standard.
What to ask instead: Can you walk me through a typical day wth [pet’s name/s]? What does their routine actually look like when you’re home?
The Photo That Look Too Perfect (Because They Are)
I’ve arrived at two house sits where I discovered the listing photo’s were real estate images from when the home was last sold. The reality? Cluttered, dirty with pet fur everywhere (talking through out the entire home), and nowhere near the standard shown online.
This taught me a crucial lesson, when doing a video chat (don’t recommend doing phone calls) ask pilotely for a video walkthrough of the home before committing and explain why.
Most homeowner’s are happy to do this, plus you can see in the background when in a video chat the condition of the property. If they hestiate or refuse, that’s a possible red flag itself.
What to ask: Would you mind doing a quick video walkthrough of the house so I can get a sense of the space and see where your fur babies sleep, eat, and the areas they are allowed to go? or I’d love to see where I’ll be working and where '[pet/s] likes to hang out.
Indoor Security Cameras (That Aren’t Disclosed)
Privacy matters. Some house-sitting platforms have rules against indoor cameras for good reason. Outdoor cameras are okay!
What to ask: Are there any security cameras inside the home? If so, where are they located?
If a homeowner becomes vague or defensive, that’s your cue to move on.
Chaotic Energy During the In-Person or Video Meeting
This is subtle but powerful. Pay attention to how the homeowner communicates:
are they oversharing personal drama?
do they seem scattered or disorganised?
are they mentioning things casually that should have been discussed eariler (like ex-partners who “sometimes stops”?
Chaos in the initial conversations often translates to chaos during the sit.
Last-Minute Changes or Additions
The sit that sounded simple suddenly includes managing deliveries or handling tasks that were never mentioned in the listing or intial discovery call.
If responsibilities keep expanding after you’ve agreed, it’s okay to re-neogotiate or step back.
What to say: I want to make sure I can give your home and pet/s the best care. Are there any additional tasks beyond what you have mentioned so I can understand what the sit involves? Can we revisit the expectations?
Ensure if ex-partners are mentioned that you meet them as well and re-neogotiate expectations.
No Emergency Contact Information
Every sit should come with clear emergency contacts such as a neighbour, a friend, a local vet, and the homeowner’s reachable number.
If a homeowner does’t provide this upfront, ask for it directly. Most of the time homeowner uses communication channels like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. If they’re dismissive or vague, reconsider the sit.
The Lesson I learnt the Hard Way
I need to share a story that changed how I evaluate every house sit.
I completed a video chat with a homeowner that went well. Because I was already nearby on another sit, I arranged an in-person visit. During that visit, the homeowner seemed chaotic and casually mentioned her ex-partner that wasn’t present to sometimes stop by to walk the dog.
I should have trusted my gut right then. But I didn’t.
Myself and a friend accepted the sit. And within the first few weeks, her ex-partner began showing up unannounced, demanding to collect parcels with only five minutes notice, and eventually insisting on walking the dog while I was about to go into a client meeting.
One day, I heard screeching tires and a loud knock at the door. It was the homeowner’s ex-partner. I was terrified. My house sitting partner was with me, thankfully, but we were both threatened. When we called the homeowner, we were accused of being unreasonable.
I ended up filing a compliant with the platform that the house sit was promoted on. My partner stayed to finish the sit while I moved on to ensure we had a safe place to stay and that I wouldn’t be left alone if the ex-partner returned.
What I learned:
If someone isn’t present during both the video call and in-person visit, don’t accept the sit.
If a homeowner mentions an ex or any third party who will have access to the home, get clarity immediately about boundaries and expectations.
Trust you instincts. If something feels off during the intial conversations, it probably is.
The house sitting platform confirmed they had addressed the situation with the homeowner and removed their ability to advertise. But, we also removed ourselves off the platform too and only use house sitting platforms where both parties have to pay and be verified.
Green Flags: What Great House Sits Look Like
Not every story is a cautionary tale. The vast majority of my sits have been incredible, and here’s what the best one have in common:
Homeowners who make you feel welcome. Some have cooked me a meal before leaving. Others have sent gift baskets as thank you. One even left a handwritten note saying they wouldn’t have been able to take their trip without my help.
Clear communication and realistic expectations. They provide detailed instructions, emergency contacts, and a tidy, well-maintained home.
Respect for your time and space. They offer access to streaming services, loan you their car (which I always return with a full tank of gas and cleaned inside and out), andd give youroom to settle in.
Mutal care. I always leave staples in the fridge for their return, restock items I’ve used like cleaning supplies and toilet paper, and ensure their home is left in exceptional condition.
These sits often turn into repeat arrangements and genuine friendships. That’s the magic of house sitting when it’s done right and in partnership.
Little Louis the cat enjoying hugs with my friend on a house sit in Australia.
Trust Your Gut. Ask the Right Questions. Say No When You Need To.
House sitting is a beautiful way to live, travel, and connect with animals and people around the world. But it’s also a responsibility that requires clear boundaries, honest communication, and the confidence to walk away when something dosn’t feel right.
You’re not being difficult by asking questions. You’re being professional.
And you’re not obligated to accept a sit that dosn’t align with your needs, safety, or values.
Your Checklist: Questions to Ask Every Time
Here’s what I now ask before accepting any sit:
ABOUT THE PET:
What’s their daily routine?
Any health conditions, medications, or behavioral issues?
How do they behave around other animals or strangers especilly on walks?
Where do they sleep? (Ensure you are okay if pets are allowed to sleep on any bed even with you)
Is the vet aware you are going away and have you made arrangements with them in case something happens while you are away? - food, medications, treaments
Will anyone from your family or associates be wanting to visit and/or take your pet for walks? (Ensure you are okay for this to happen as the pet will be your responsibility once the owner has left. If someone does come and walk the day or take them out for the day please send a message to the homeowner straight away in case something does happen.)
Does your pet make use of a doggie daycare?
ABOUT THE HOME:
If you’re okay, could we please do a video walkthrough so I get an understanding of where your pet/s like to hang out, where I could be working, and where I am to sleep?
Are there any security cameras inside the home?
What household tasks do you expect (mail, bins, plants, etc)
Do I pay for the internet, electricity, etc? (I have personally never paid for any items such as these)
Do you have Wi-Fi and what is it like as I heavily rely on it for my work?
ABOUT LOGISTICS:
Who are the emergency contacts (neighbour, vet, friend, electrican, plumber)?
Will there be any visitors during my stay like a cleaner, window cleaner, gardner, etc? (This one is important. If a homeowner’s has not informed me I contact them straight away and will not let the visitor in the house unless otherwise for my own safety, but also ensuring the visitor isn’t scoping out the property)
ABOUT EXPECTATIONS:
How often would you like updates? (I normally offer once a week where I share photos, videos’, a brief description of their pet’s adventures with me, and an update on the property.)
What’s the best way to reach each other while you’re away?
Is there anything else I should know that hasn’t been covered?
Mr Hardy carrying his favourite ball when walking around the local farms on a house sit in the UK.
Final Thought
The best house sits are built on trust, clarity, and mutual respect. When those elements are in place, you’ll care for homes and pets you love, explore incredible places, and build relationships that last far beyond the sit itself.
But if something feel off, give yourself permission to say no. Your safety, your peace of mind, and your abliity to provide excellent care all depend on choosing sits that are the right fit for both parties.
Trust your instincts. They’re there for a reason.
P.s….If the homeowner has left staples for you to eat, please replace and provide a little more as this is how I get great reviews and feedback, and make sure any furniture you move is moved back to where you found it, and ensure the property is super clean including outside too. Most important tip….ensure the pet is having a great time with you and you are having a great time too.
