Trusted House Sitters, offering free accommodation in exchange for pet care. While many users praise the platform for providing a cost-effective and mutually beneficial solution, others have raised concerns about issues such as fraudulent sitters, poor customer service, and hidden costs.
In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons, explore user experiences, and discuss how Trusted House Sitters handles complaints, helping you decide whether it’s the right option for you.
What is Trusted House Sitters?
Trusted House Sitters is an online platform that connects people with sitters who are willing to look after homes and pets while their owners are away. This exchange offers free accommodation for sitters in return for care of pets, including dogs, cats, and other animals. It’s a popular option for travelers who wish to explore new places while saving money on lodging.
Homeowners benefit by having their pets and homes looked after by someone they can trust. The main service provided is house sitting, where sitters care for pets and homes in exchange for accommodation, offering a win-win arrangement for both parties.
Homeowners can rest easy knowing their pets are taken care of, and sitters get to experience living in a new environment.
How Trusted House Sitters Works
To use Trusted House Sitters, users must first create an account on the website and complete their profile with relevant details about their pets or sitting experience. Sitters can then browse available pet sitting assignments and apply for jobs that match their skills and interests.
Homeowners also browse sitters’ profiles and may invite a sitter to apply for specific jobs based on their travel plans. Once a homeowner and sitter agree on the terms, the sitter is booked to care for the pets and property.
After the sit is completed, both parties leave reviews to help establish the credibility and trustworthiness of each other. The platform operates on a membership basis, and homeowners and sitters are required to pay a subscription fee to access the platform’s full range of services.
Is Trusted House Sitters Legit?
When assessing if Trusted House Sitters is legitimate, it’s essential to weigh both the positives and negatives. The company operates legally and has a fully functional website with clear terms of service, making it an established platform.
However, user experiences show a mixed review: some have had fantastic experiences, while others claim the platform failed to meet their expectations, leading to frustration and disappointment.
Despite these criticisms, the general consensus suggests that while not perfect, Trusted House Sitters is not a scam and remains a legitimate service for both sitters and homeowners.
User Ratings and Reviews
Users often turn to online platforms like Trustpilot to check ratings for Trusted House Sitters, and many have rated it highly for the opportunities it provides. Despite this, the large number of negative reviews posted by users reflect concerns, with an average rating of 2.1/5 as of January 2025.
On Trusted House Sitters’ Official Website, user reviews show a more positive rating of 4.0/5, which creates a favorable impression on potential users. However, a significant portion of reviews express dissatisfaction with customer service, sitter behavior, and issues related to the platform’s policies, leading to mixed perceptions about the service’s overall reliability.
Common Complaints and Issues
Common complaints about Trusted House Sitters shed light on the challenges many users face when using the platform. Issues such as unresponsive customer service, inconsistent sitter behavior, and a lack of accountability for homeowners and sitters have been frequently reported.
These concerns can cause frustration and lead to a sense of dissatisfaction, as some users feel that the platform doesn’t always meet their expectations or address these challenges in a timely and efficient manner.
1. Customer Service Issues
One consistent theme in users’ complaints about Trusted House Sitters is the lack of adequate support from customer service when things go wrong. Many sitters and homeowners have reported that their issues are not addressed satisfactorily, with responses often being generic and unhelpful.
Specifically, complaints about fraudulent sitters and fraudulent behavior have been ignored, even when clear evidence is provided. Additionally, there have been cases where sitters’ profiles were blocked for not meeting the minimum requirement of five photos, despite these being clearly outlined in the platform’s guidelines.
2. Fraudulent Behavior and Deceptive Practices
Trusted House Sitters has been accused of allowing fraudulent sitters to remain on the platform, despite numerous complaints from homeowners. Some sitters have been reported for accepting a shorter sitting opportunity but later abandoning their commitment when a longer sit arose, leading to frustration and distrust.
In these cases, the sitter would often leave homes in disarray and fail to properly care for pets, sometimes even abandoning their responsibilities mid-sit.
Despite clear evidence of misconduct, these issues are often not sufficiently addressed, with the platform accused of siding with sitters and allowing them to continue operating without consequences.
3. Lack of Accountability for Bad Reviews
Many homeowners have voiced concerns regarding the review system on Trusted House Sitters, claiming the platform fails to investigate or enforce accountability when sitters leave homes in poor conditions or fail to follow agreed-upon terms.
In one troubling case, a sitter left a homeowner’s house in filthy conditions and abandoned their pets, yet attempts to leave a negative review were blocked.
This lack of action from the platform continues to frustrate users who feel their complaints are not taken seriously, leaving them without a means to hold sitters accountable.
4. Limited Support for Sitters
Sitters often feel neglected by Trusted House Sitters, as the platform generally fails to provide adequate support when problems arise.
Homeowners can cancel a sit last minute, leaving sitters to fend for themselves without compensation or help finding alternative accommodations. For example, when issues with sitters or homes occur, there is a lack of favorable policies to assist, leaving them to report concerns without receiving the necessary help.
5. Hidden Costs and Issues with Membership
Many users have raised concerns about the membership fee for Trusted House Sitters, with some highlighting a lack of transparency regarding additional costs. A common complaint is the absence of a cooling-off period, making it difficult to cancel and get a refund if users change their mind within 14 days.
Dates for a sit may also be voided unexpectedly, which some believe goes against consumer protection laws, causing frustration among both homeowners and sitters.
How Does Trusted House Sitters Handle Complaints?
Complaints about Trusted House Sitters often revolve around disputes between sitters and homeowners, with the platform generally encouraging open communication. However, when serious issues such as poor conditions or abandoned pets arise, many users feel that the platform fails to adequately intervene.
In some instances, despite thorough evidence of misconduct, Trusted House Sitters took little or no action, which has led to frustration.
Homeowners and sitters have expressed that their ability to leave feedback and reviews is sometimes manipulated, with negative comments ignored or even removed altogether, causing a sense of injustice for those who feel their concerns are not being heard.
Alternatives to Trusted House Sitters
For those concerned about the shortcomings of Trusted House Sitters, there are several alternative platforms that offer similar services. Rover, for example, connects pet owners with sitters and walkers, providing a wide range of care options, including overnight stays and dog walking.
HouseCarers is another trustworthy platform that allows users to exchange accommodation for house sitting. Additionally, MindMyHouse helps those looking for house sitting opportunities, providing a place for people to find homes in need of care, and vice versa.
These platforms can be great options for those seeking a more personalized or different experience than what Trusted House Sitters provides.
Conclusion: Is Trusted House Sitters Legit?
In conclusion, Trusted House Sitters is a legitimate platform that offers valuable house-sitting and pet care opportunities, but user feedback reveals a mix of positive and negative experiences. While many enjoy the chance to travel while caring for pets, others have faced issues with poor customer service, fraudulent behavior, and hidden costs.
It’s important to approach the platform with a clear understanding of its potential challenges and to be prepared for possible frustrations. Ultimately, whether Trusted House Sitters is the right choice depends on individual expectations and willingness to navigate any issues that arise.
Check Similar Platform Review: Is PropertyRecs.com Legit?
Frequently asked Questions
Is Trusted House Sitters a scam?
No, Trusted House Sitters is not a scam. It is a legitimate platform connecting homeowners with sitters offering pet and house care in exchange for accommodation, though some users report issues.
How does Trusted House Sitters work?
Sitters care for pets and homes in exchange for free accommodation. Both sitters and homeowners create profiles, and once matched, the sitter is booked. Reviews are left after the sit to build trust.
Are there hidden fees with Trusted House Sitters?
Some users have raised concerns about unclear membership fees and additional costs. It’s recommended to review the terms carefully before joining.
What are the common complaints about Trusted House Sitters?
Complaints include poor customer service, fraudulent sitters, inconsistent behavior, and lack of accountability for negative reviews or problems during sits.
Can I trust the reviews on Trusted House Sitters?
While most reviews are positive, some users report that negative reviews may be blocked or removed. It’s best to read reviews critically.
What happens if something goes wrong during a sitting?
Though Trusted House Sitters encourages communication, many users report inadequate intervention from the platform when issues arise, leading to frustration.
Is Trusted House Sitters safe for both homeowners and sitters?
While generally safe, some risks exist, such as fraudulent sitters and poor sitter behavior. Thoroughly vetting sitters and reviewing profiles is essential for safety.
How do I cancel my Trusted House Sitters membership?
You can cancel through your account settings, but be aware that there is no cooling-off period for refunds, which has been a point of complaint.
Are there alternatives to Trusted House Sitters?
Yes, platforms like Rover, HouseCarers, and MindMyHouse offer similar house-sitting and pet care services.
Is Trusted House Sitters worth it?
Trusted House Sitters can be worth it for those seeking affordable travel and pet care, but users should be prepared for potential frustrations due to customer service issues and hidden costs.
