@barbsun54 @Angela_L @Vanessa_A as a sitter i appreciate you making this comment and of course there must be some kind of middle ground where a HO has peace of mind when they go away while at the same time the sitters right to reasonable privacy is maintained. I doubt that many sitters would take issue with outside cameras as we are all against such things as dog theft and there is reassurance for a sitter within that arrangement. When it comes to indoor cameras (and I note you do not have them) it raises a whole different and complex set of problems. Wishing you lots of happy sits.
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I am finding this discussion quite unnerving. I was recently told as an afterthought in a note I got on arrival at a sit that a camera was plugged in to monitor the cat when they were away, which I could switch off when I was home. I did that, and this little device was obvious once I knew. But what do these cameras look like that are sophisticated and programmed? Is it something I can see by looking around?
Also - I am unclear where to insert my reply in these long threads. At the very end, whoever is talking?
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Hi @Lauraa having discussions on all subjects relevant to our pet and house sitting lifestyle is provides important and helpful feedback for both members and the TrustedHousesitters Team. Having open discussions like this creates awareness for both owners and sitters and helps facilitate open and honest communication.
When posting your reply, if you wish to reply to a specific comment/member you hit reply in that comment box, as I have done to reply directly to you and it will tag the author of the comment
To post a comment in the thread use the Green Reply box
I hope that is clear …
But if one wants to reply to the topic overall, not to a specific person, where does one do it? I’d like to hear the answer to my question of how to recognise these cameras.
The second screen shot in the reply which shows the green reply box is how you post your comment and question.
Owners are responsible for declaring any cameras they have in their home prior to a sitter accepting a sit and we are looking at this situation regarding the technology to put the responsibility on owners to be transparent about any placement and use in their homes.
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There’s been so many responses on this topic, and I’m probably repeating something others have said. I didn’t see anyone mentioning in my scan that it is illegal - at least in United Sates and especially in California, to film or record someone without their permission. I am all for cameras that monitor exterior doors and grounds, but it is an invasion of privacy to monitor me as a sitter inside, unless I agree to it. I wouldn’t accept a sit that has an indoor monitoring system anyway.
I’ve probably done around 50 sits through TH by now and no one has disclosed indoor monitoring. And I feel awkward asking during the interview and it would make me look less attractive for the sit in spite of my perfect 5 star rating and clean background check badge. I hope the owners are upfront about it.
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What do the cameras look like, these sophisticated programmed ones? I only have been told about a little object sitting on a shelf I was told I could unplug while I was there. I didn’t like the idea of it at all and wouldn’t apply for a sit that mentioned cameras.
It is illegal in many jurisdictions. I suggest looking into that before accepting any sit.
I believe some insurance companies now insist in their installation. Plus if you are house sitting for a government official or someone working in a sensitive area I believe this is the norm. As are non disclosure agreements. So although this may not be welcome I think you’ll find it becoming the norm…
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@Phillc You are correct. We’ve done a sit in the UK (large remote property) where they had an attempted break-in and the insurance company insisted on a surveillance system with cameras pointed at a few strategic places on the property. The cameras were outside but covered vulnerable entry points. As you say, they are becoming much more common (and inexpensive to install). Disclosure is key (and in case of TrustedHousesitters, included in the terms and conditions).
We always ask as part of our questions about home security… is there an alarm system, (if yes) have you ever had a break-in, and are there any cameras inside or out? We make our assessment based on the answers 
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@Loplop @Lauraa yes you are right, I don’t apply to sits that mention cameras but I am sure I have stayed in homes where they are in use and I would not know where to start looking for them…I can barely operate a toaster! It is a worry and does anybody know @Angela_L what the law around this is in the UK? I would be interested to know.
I’m accustomed to burglar alarms with cameras at ceiling-level in strategic corners indoors required by insurance policies. But cameras turn off when the alarm is shut down with a code. I can see the lights are off on the cameras. I understood people were talking about another system not connected to that panel by the door that is turned on and off when leaving and entering.
@1gypsygurl This is a very interesting topic. I too am fairly new to THS and on my 2nd pet sit, I noticed on my second day of sitting for 2 dogs that there were inside security cameras everywhere. I noticed it one day while I was having lunch in the dining room, I just happened to look around and the camera was staring me in the face. Then I went to the pool–security camera, went to watch TV–security camera, getting ready to walk the dogs–noticed a security camera by the front entrance. Needless to say, while I loved being with the dogs, I felt uncomfortable for the duration of the sit. The sit was for 4 days. I arrived 30 minutes early for the sit to do a walk-through and not once did the homeowners disclose that security cameras were present. My thought is that they should have disclosed cameras within their home…whether they would be on or off. For all I know, they were on the entire time I was there.
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Hi @anon49809275 this is actually a breach of THS terms. HOs are required to disclose cameras inside the house. I’d recommend flagging this with @Angela_L and the THS team.
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Hi @CanadianSitter , how do I flag the sit with @Angela_L and the THS team?
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I think @Angela_L is really good about monitoring her mentions, so she’ll probably follow up with you
@CanadianSitter , ok, thank you!
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@anon49809275 as @CanadianSitter says, you really should take this to @Angela_L ; its only by doing this that thes type of HOs hopefully will be taken to task
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This made me think as we have a security camera outside the house and I didn’t tell our recent housesitters. If I’m honest we don’t even check the app but should have let them know. We just forgot.
No house sitter should be in a house with cameras, hidden or otherwise, unless they are happy with that. We aren’t house sitters but that would make me uncomfortable. We choose to trust the sitters who come to our home.
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I have no objection to outdoor cameras for surveillance of the property and grounds but under no circumstances would I go to a house sit with cameras inside the house it is a question of being spied on and the feeling of distrust and as the optimum word in TRUSTED house sitters it just doesn’t make sense to me.
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