Is trusted house sitters legit? Everything you need to know!

Is trusted house sitters legit?

Yes, Trusted House sitters is a legit platform that connects pet owners with trusted individuals who are willing to care for their pets and homes while they are away.

1. The platform operates on a membership basis, where pet owners can browse through a database of available sitters and choose the one that best fits their needs.
2. While there are some negative reviews of the company’s business practices, most hosts and sitters seem to be fine people.
3. TrustedHousesitters has a 93% excellent rating on Trustpilot.
4. The platform is built on trust and honesty, and real people trust each other with their homes and pets.
5. However, it is important to note that TrustedHousesitters does not personally vet each of the homeowners or house sitters, which is why communication between both parties is so important.
6. Overall, TrustedHousesitters is a legitimate platform that can be used to find house sits and house sitters around the world.

What are the fees for using TrustedHousesitters?

1. TrustedHousesitters operates on a membership basis, and the fees vary depending on the type of membership you choose.
2. Here are the fees for using TrustedHousesitters:

• Basic Pet Parent: This plan costs $129 per year and includes unlimited pet and home care from verified sitters at no extra cost.
• Standard Pet Parent: This plan costs $199 per year and includes everything in the Basic plan, plus a boost in search results and the ability to see who saves your listing.
• Premium Pet Parent: This plan costs $259 per year and includes everything in the Standard plan, plus unlimited pet and home care from verified sitters at no extra cost, a boost in search results, and the ability to see who saves your listing.

1. TrustedHousesitters also offers a combined membership for both sitters and homeowners, which starts at $189 per year.
2. Premium memberships, which come with veterinary video-conferencing, liability, and theft insurance, cost as much as $319 (combined membership).
3. It is important to note that TrustedHousesitters does not charge any additional fees for pet or home care from verified sitters.

What are the requirements to become a housesitter on TrustedHousesitters?

1. To become a house sitter on TrustedHousesitters, you need to sign up and create a sitter profile.
2. Here are the requirements to become a house sitter on TrustedHousesitters:

• Sign up and create a sitter profile: You need to create a profile that showcases your personality, experience, and skills. You can add photos, a description of yourself, and your experience with pets and house sitting.
• Complete verifications: TrustedHousesitters requires sitters to complete verifications to demonstrate that they are reliable and trustworthy. You can find out more about verifications on the Trust & Safety page.
• Be flexible: Consider local sits when you first start out and offer to meet the owner in person as this will give you an instant advantage over other applicants.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully: Stay in touch with the owner and keep them informed of any issues that arise during the house sit.
• Gather information: Gather as much information as possible regarding the nature of the home, pets, and location to ensure you are equipped to fulfill the house sit successfully.
• Have references: References are vital for reassuring homeowners that you are a trustworthy sitter. You can use character, landlord, or employer references if you don’t have previous house sitting experience.

1. Be at least 21 years old: TrustedHousesitters has a minimum age requirement of 21 years old to be able to join the community.
2. Once you have completed these requirements, you can start applying for house sits all around the world and send a message directly to pet parents to find out if it is the right fit.

Top 10 pros and cons of using TrustedHousesitters

Pros:

1. You get to stay somewhere completely new for free.
2. TrustedHousesitters has a large community of verified sitters and homeowners.
3. You can gain experience with pets and house sitting.
4. TrustedHousesitters offers a variety of membership plans to suit different needs.
5. The platform is built on trust and honesty.
6. TrustedHousesitters offers liability and theft insurance for premium members.
7. You can find house sits all around the world.
8. TrustedHousesitters offers a 25% discount for new members.
9. TrustedHousesitters has a 93% excellent rating on Trustpilot.

Cons:

1. There is a mixed bag of experiences, and some house sits may not be as expected.
2. You need to be flexible and willing to travel to find house sits.
3. TrustedHousesitters does not personally vet each of the homeowners or house sitters.
4. TrustedHousesitters is more expensive than other house sitting websites.
5. The platform favors the house sitter, not the house owner.
6. There is a membership fee for both sitters and homeowners.
7. There is a lot of competition for house sits.
8. TrustedHousesitters does not guarantee that you will find a house sit.
9. You need to have good communication skills to ensure a successful house sit.
10. TrustedHousesitters may not be suitable for those who are not animal lovers.

Common issues that pet owners face when using TrustedHousesitters?

1. Fear of making an honest negative review: Some pet owners are afraid to leave negative reviews for sitters for fear of retribution or retaliation.
2. Issues with pet care: Some pet owners have reported issues with pet care, which is the main reason most of them use the platform.
3. Misrepresentation by sitters: Some sitters may misrepresent themselves, which can lead to a bad experience for the pet owner.
4. Difficulty finding sitters: Some pet owners have reported difficulty finding sitters, especially during peak travel seasons.
5. Poor customer service: Some pet owners have reported poor customer service from TrustedHousesitters, especially when trying to resolve disputes.
6. Entitled homeowners: Some homeowners may have unrealistic expectations and may not provide adequate space or amenities for the sitter.
7. Lack of personal vetting: TrustedHousesitters does not personally vet each of the homeowners or house sitters, which can lead to issues with trust and reliability.
8. Competition for house sits: There is a lot of competition for house sits, which can make it difficult for pet owners to find a sitter.
9. Communication issues: Good communication is essential for a successful house sit, and some pet owners have reported issues with communication with their sitters.
10. Membership fees: There is a membership fee for both sitters and homeowners, which can be a barrier for some pet owners.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Trusted House Sitters is a legitimate platform connecting pet owners with house sitters worldwide. It boasts a large and active community with various membership options to suit individual needs. While it offers many advantages, such as free accommodation, verified sitters, and insurance options, it is not without its drawbacks, including potential mixed experiences and the need for clear communication. Pet owners should be aware of their responsibilities and potential challenges when using the platform. Overall, Trusted House Sitters is a viable option, but users should exercise due diligence and maintain realistic expectations.