I’ve been housesitting as a way of life for the last 10 years and apart from sitting for friends all of my sits have been through this site. I am a woman of no fixed abode as I go from one sit to another. By now I must have done at least 100 sits and on ONLY 2 occasions has anyone even asked for my family name. I don’t know if it shows up on the site automatically. I often only find out the HO’s family name when their first piece of mail is delivered during a housesit. It’s been a wonderful revelation to me how incredibly trusting most people are. Some HO’s I’ve met only on a brief phone chat and they’ve left their keys in a lock box or with the concierge if in an apartment. Have I just been lucky as in all that time I have only had one or two sits that I wouldn’t be in a hurry to repeat. I’m now booked through until January 2024 with sits in the US, Australia and Austria and looking forward to another wonderful year meeting new four-legged friends and living like a local in new destinations. The only advice I’d offer is always go with your gut instincts when responding to potential housesits. If something they say or suggest makes you uncomfortable don’t accept or go ahead. There are always other sits out there which will be a better and more comfortable fit for you.
@4Paws, circumstances will vary, but in my case, I’ve had my identity and background checked by THS, share my LinkedIn and Airbnb profiles, which include my full name. Plus, I share my contact info if we pursue a video chat or such. I have strong reviews as well. If all that isn’t enough, that signals to me that the host is distrustful to a degree that I think it signals likely handholding or complications down the line, and I didn’t sign up for THS for that. Why would I volunteer to deal with someone’s distrust, anxiety, entitlement or such? Not worth it, especially when so MANY sits are available with hosts who aren’t like that? YMMV, of course.
I absolutely understand, but not all sitters are US citizens and all of those others none is ID checked, because this isn’t possible. So if someone wants to confirm a sitter, who isn’t checked, I think it’s reasonable to ask a few more questions.
I don’t think that’s correct. Background checks can only be done for US sitters but ID checks are done for all sitters. I’m a UK-based sitter and my ID has been verified by THS.
@4Paws this is incorrect - all sitters are ID checked. US sitters are also background checked in addition.
I think partly misunderstanding on HO side including yourself is what is causing these issues. What are you going to do by me showing you my ID that hasn’t already been performed on your behalf by my subscription to THS?
My ID is verified, my email, phone number, Linked in profile, reviews are all present and verified….
What is the point of me providing you my address? It’s not relevant to our exchange. It’s just an empty box ticking exercise. All important details have been verified by the platform we met through.
Also just to add I don’t think I’ve ever known what the HO surname is unless it’s been their email in the welcome guide or I’ve put away their first bit of mail.
Supplying my last name gives HO’s my children’s last names as well as my ex-husband’s. We are the only four people in the world with our names. In addition, thanks to Florida’s laws about information-sharing, having that name gives anyone more information than they have a right to know about us…certainly not in exchange for watching their home and pets.
I have numerous references and reviews. TH also does a background check (honestly, I didn’t like supplying them with my SS number as opposed to sending fingerprints to the FBI and getting a check, but I did it.) HO’s have more than enough checks and recourse through TH if something goes wrong.
WE are entering into a relationship of mutual trust, not our families or anyone else who may be impacted
Of course, HOs don’t know that giving my name gives information about my children. This HO has specifically asked for information about yours. That’s an intrusion on his privacy. I’d politely and calmly explain that. I’d let them know he’s not part of your agreement with them as well as remind them of all the checks they have about you.
Good luck!
I will say that some countries require one report if a foreigner is stating in their home. That’s obviously my one exception about not supplying my last name. I’m not worried about someone flying from Singapore to the States looking for my kids :-).
@4Paws I just want to point out that not all HOs provide their full name. Often, I might get it just if I’m bringing in mail (although most have mail held) or if there is something in the home with the name on it. But I have done a few sits where I did not know the HOs last name. It did cause an issue on a sit when someone came to the door asking for Mrs. Smith and I couldn’t even tell them if they had the right house. It turns out they had the wrong house, but it probably seemed pretty odd that I didn’t know the name of person whose house I was in. I always ask now if they don’t put it in the welcome guide because it is necessary for sitters.
I always provide my last name and I would not have a problem showing my ID upon arrival (as long as the HO is also going to show me their ID). Providing a copy or a photo is different entirely. I’ve done many sits where I have not even met the HO in person. In the US there have been many cases of identity theft from info that is on the driver’s license (license number, address, date of birth, etc). That’s why we have data protection laws. My ID has already been verified by THS, there is no reason an HO would need a copy. I’ve done 30 sits and I can’t imagine giving 30 strangers a copy of my ID. If that was a requirement, I just wouldn’t sit anymore.
Firstly, I never said anything about giving a home owner a copy of the ID. I even said that I myself never want to see it. I said that I can understand why some people feel better when they can have a look at a sitter’s ID. What are they supposed to do with it by just looking?
Secondly it would never occur to me NOT to give sitters my last name. I usually send all confirmed sitters our full names, home address, email addresses and Facebook names right after they accept the confirmation.
@4Paws You sound like a wonderful HO. However, my point was that not everyone is like you. There have been many posts in the forums about sitters being asked to send copies of ID and/or being asked for other personal information. And as I mentioned, some HOs don’t provide their full name and some are even hesitant to provide their address until right before the sit starts which makes it difficult for sitters to plan. As I said, I have no issue with showing my ID upon arrival (although no one has ever asked), but I would take issue with providing a copy.
Completely understandable.
Ooof. I’m sorry to hear how it turned out, but thankfully Customer Service cancelled it for you.
As to the main topic:
THS and elsewhere:
My profile has both my name and the fact that I’m a nomad for several years in it, so that’s all upfront. People seem crazy to use WhatsApp, so video chats are done over that and that gives us both a direct contact method/number.
I’m willing to give my travels-related-things email (I’ve many email accounts as I’m a hyper-organizer).
Folks can Google as they please lol.
I wouldn’t give third-party personal info, for sure.
I have been offering sittings for years, mostly via another platform from my country. In my country it is a given that sitters and HO exchange addresses. This is a sign of politeness and decency and certainly not of distrust.
Full-time nomads also have an address; they are registered in a municipality somewhere.
The ID that THS have of the sitters is of no use to me, because with the ID you have no idea where the sitter is at home. Some sitters have informations on THS that has nothing to do with their registered place of residence.
What I am describing here is my culture and also the culture of the other platform in my country in which I offer sittings. For this reason, I offer sittings only for my own country and the countries directly adjacent to it to avoid blatant differences in mentality. With two exceptions, I’ve done very well with it so far and I have sitters who come back again many times.
(edited by Forum team to meet Community Guidelines)
Agree! I’m on the same page.
Providing my full name IS providing that of my children. There are four people in the universe with my last name…my ex-husband, my daughters and I. I will not provide it to HOs. They do not need it. TH required a background check, which included providing my SS number, which I honestly did not want to do. It made my financials susceptible. However, I did it to put the minds of HOs at ease. TH also has our info should anything go awry. HOs don’t need it when going through the platform.