Is House Sitting Safe? 10 Terrifying Risks You Can’t Ignore (2024)
If you’re considering trying house sitting for the first time, you may be wondering about the safety aspects. Is house sitting safe to stay in a stranger’s home while they’re away?
Yes, house sitting can be as safe as hotels or vacation rentals and sometimes even more secure than dormitory-style hostels.
While no type of travel is completely risk-free, being proactive about potential safety concerns can mitigate the risks and allow you to house sit with peace of mind.
Let’s discuss how to address potential safety risks as well as other general tips for how to stay safe while house sitting!
House Sitting Safety Risks
Here’s how to address some of the potential “terrifying safety risks” for house sitters.
- Inadequate home security systems
Mitigated by: Testing/arming the home’s security system upon arrival and keeping it active. Be sure to write down the security system information, including phone numbers and codes. Bring extra door/window alarm sensors if needed. - Intruders entering through unlocked windows/doors
Mitigated by: Ensuring all entry points are locked at all times, keeping ground floor windows covered, and not leaving spare keys outside. - Isolated locations far from neighbors
Mitigated by: Researching the area ahead of time, meeting neighbors to get advice, and avoiding isolated sits if it makes you uncomfortable.
If nothing else, be sure the get the Whatsapp numbers for 1-2 neighbors for emergencies. - Lack of information about neighborhood crime rates
Mitigated by: Thoroughly vetting sits through review sites, asking homeowners about safety, and looking up crime data for that specific area. We always ask about areas to avoid near the neighborhood, just in case. - Homeowners who fail to secure valuables
Mitigated by: Storing your valuables securely out of sight and discussing the home’s valuables/collectibles with the owners beforehand.
We always have owners identify valuables and relocate them to a closet or high shelf, if the owner doesn’t do it themselves before departure. - Easy access for burglars if mail/packages pile up
Mitigated by: If the owner isn’t having mail/packages held, be sure they’re retrieved promptly or sent elsewhere to avoid accumulation outside.
When we need to get mail in, we always keep it in a designated place away from front window or door visibility for when the homeowner returns. - Poorly lit areas around the home’s exterior
Mitigated by: Using exterior lighting, motion sensors, keeping curtains closed at night to avoid being seen from outside. - Issues with the home’s locks/doors being faulty
Mitigated by: Testing all locks/doors upon arrival and having owners repair anything faulty or bring extra locks. - Homeowners who give codes/keys to too many people
Mitigated by: Asking homeowners to change codes/rekey locks if needed and limit access information.
We once had a house sit where the homeowner had given her keys to SEVEN neighbors plus her boyfriend! Thankfully it was a small town without issues, but now we ask how many neighbors have keys. - Unfamiliar surroundings in a new neighborhood
Mitigated by: Studying maps, taking neighborhood walks to get oriented, meeting neighbors, and avoiding isolated/dark areas.
If you don’t have a local SIM card with data for your house sit location, download offline maps in the Google app so you can always get around.
The main idea is to be proactive – research thoroughly, secure the home, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t ignore potential safety lapses. Take the same precautions as you would at home or traveling elsewhere.
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Why House Sitting Can Be Safer Than Other Accommodations
As someone who has been house sitting since 2008, I’ve stayed in dozens of homes, apartments, and condos around the world and have never once felt unsafe while on a house sit.
My experiences have been on par with the level of safety and security I feel when booking hotels or short-term rental properties.
A key safety benefit of house sitting is storing your belongings securely in a private residence, rather than openly in a hostel. You’ll have the whole place to yourself, with lockable doors and windows for added protection.
Residential neighborhoods are typically safer than areas with hotels, hostels, bars, and nightlife districts where crimes like muggings, assaults, and break-ins are more common. Choose quiet communities over bustling nightlife scenes for a safer stay.
When you stay in a hotel, many strangers can access the building and roam the hallways. In contrast, during a house sit, only you and the homeowners should access the property, reducing the risk of opportunistic crimes.
House sitting boosts security by having someone at home, deterring burglars. The presence of a house sitter makes the home less attractive to potential intruders.
General Safety Tips for House Sitters
Of course, no accommodation is 100% risk-free whether you’re house sitting, staying in a hotel, or even just at home. But there are steps you can take to maximize your safety and security while house sitting.
☑️ Research the neighborhood beforehand and request information about areas to avoid, if any. Read reviews of previous house sitters‘ experiences.
☑️ Get a lockbox code or spare key from the homeowner so you can access the property without leaving a key under the mat.
☑️ Make sure all doors and windows lock properly and use them! Keep ground floor windows covered at night.
☑️ Retrieve mail and packages from the mailbox promptly so they don’t accumulate and advertise an empty home.
☑️ Keep curtains/blinds closed at night so people can’t see easily inside the home.
☑️ Consider using a portable door/window alarm or bringing your own security cameras for added peace of mind.
Basic Travel Safety Tips
Beyond house sitting-specific advice, it’s also wise to follow general travel safety best practices.
☑️ Avoid walking alone at night, especially in isolated or poorly lit areas. Take a cab or ride share instead.
☑️ Don’t tell strangers you’ve met details about where you’re staying.
☑️ Keep valuables out of sight and avoid appearing like an obvious tourist target when out and about.
☑️ Research cultural norms and take care not to inadvertently offend or draw unwanted attention.
☑️ Make copies of your IDs/passport and keep them separate from the originals.
☑️ Check in regularly with a trusted friend or family member so they know your whereabouts.
☑️ Trust your instincts! If a situation feels potentially unsafe, remove yourself from it.
Is House Sitting Safe? My Personal Experience
Ever since I started house sitting in 2008, I’ve felt incredibly safe and secure while on house sitting assignments around the world. We’ve been in houses, apartments, condos, you name it – and never experienced any security issues or incidents.
Of course, we always take logical precautions like keeping the home secure and not advertising our activities to random strangers. But beyond that, we’ve felt just as safe as we do staying in hotels, rental homes, etc.
House sitting inherently provides a level of privacy, neighborly security, and homey comforts that you don’t always get with other accommodation styles.
I’m not saying that house sitting is 100% risk-free – that’s an unrealistic expectation for any type of travel. But it’s no more risky than other perfectly normal accommodation options that most of us book without batting an eye.
As long as you exercise the same reasonable precautions and awareness you would anywhere else, house sitting can be an incredibly safe and rewarding experience. It has been for me for over 15 years!
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House Sitting Safety FAQs
Are you still wondering, “is house sitting safe?” or have other questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
What should you not do when house sitting?
When house sitting, you should not invite guests over without the homeowner’s explicit permission or neglect the daily responsibilities and care guidelines provided for the property and any pets.
How do you feel safe when house sitting?
House sitting feels secure through clear communication with homeowners about their expectations and security protocols. Knowing the local area and having emergency contacts on hand adds comfort and readiness.
Is it okay to leave the house when house sitting?
Yes, it is generally okay to leave the house for short periods for sightseeing when housesitting, as long as you fulfill all your responsibilities and ensure the home is secure.
Always communicate with the homeowner about their expectations and any specific guidelines they have regarding leaving the house during your stay.
