What HouseSit is
HouseSit is operated by Dzmitry Zhur, based in Poland; you can reach us at hello@housesit.world, including for legal, moderation, or authority requests. HouseSit is a peer-to-peer platform where homeowners and sitters arrange free, non-commercial exchanges: a sitter stays in a home and provides pet care, in exchange for free accommodation. No money flows between members through the platform. We facilitate introductions and trust signals; we are not party to the underlying arrangement between members.
Non-commercial nature of housesits
Members agree that the exchange between a homeowner and a sitter is a non-commercial, in-kind arrangement. The sitter is not paid, is not a paying guest, and is not an employee or contractor of the homeowner. Members are responsible for understanding and complying with any local regulations that may apply (short-term rental rules, tax obligations, immigration requirements). HouseSit does not provide legal, tax, or immigration advice.
Member accounts and accurate information
You must be at least 18 years old to use HouseSit. You are responsible for keeping your account details accurate, including identity, contact information, and the listings or profile content you publish. Misrepresentation of identity, location, pets, or home details is grounds for account action.
Listings, applications, and communication
Homeowners must only publish accurate listings for properties they own or are authorized to list. Sitters must only apply for date windows they are genuinely available for. All communication should remain respectful, honest, and directly related to arranging or completing a sit. Discriminatory, harassing, or fraudulent behaviour is grounds for account suspension.
Trust, verification, and reviews
Verification badges, reviews, references, and moderation outcomes form the platform's trust layer. The Verified ID badge confirms a Stripe Identity check (government ID + live selfie) at a single moment in time; it is not a continuing guarantee. HouseSit does not run criminal-background, employment, or reference checks beyond the signals we describe, and we do not vet, endorse, insure, or guarantee any member, home, or pet — a badge, review, or reference is not a guarantee of anyone's identity, honesty, conduct, or safety. You are responsible for using your own judgement (messaging, checking references, and deciding who to trust) before and during any sit. Reviews must reflect actual completed sits and the reviewer's honest experience. We may limit visibility, remove content, or restrict access when behaviour creates safety risks, misrepresents a sit, or attempts to bypass platform safeguards.
Address, identity, and private information
Exact property addresses, arrival instructions, emergency contacts, and other operational details remain restricted until the platform rules allow them to be revealed (typically after a homeowner accepts a sitter). Members must not redistribute private information obtained through the platform, contact other members through unsanctioned channels before acceptance, or scrape platform data.
Optional paid features
Some features are optional and paid: ID verification, Featured Listing, Spotlight, Priority Application. Each purchase is a one-time fee for the specific feature. Payment is processed by Stripe. Refunds are not automatic and follow the policy stated in the relevant feature flow. Paid verification covers the verification workflow itself; it does not guarantee a successful sit, a positive identity outcome, or any specific match.
Limitation of liability
HouseSit is an introductions platform, not a party to any sit. Members arrange, conduct, and are solely responsible for their own sits — including the conduct of the people they meet, the condition of homes and pets, and any agreement between them. We do not supervise sits and are not responsible for members' acts or omissions, including damage to property, injury to pets or people, theft, or disputes between members. To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim arising from your use of the platform is limited to the greater of (a) the amount you paid HouseSit for the specific paid feature giving rise to the claim in the 12 months before the claim, or (b) €50. The platform is provided "as is", except for warranties that cannot be excluded by law. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded — including liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, wilful misconduct, or gross negligence, or any mandatory rights you have as a consumer.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify HouseSit against claims arising from your use of the platform, your behaviour during a sit, or your breach of these terms. This includes claims by other members and by third parties.
Reporting and account action
Use the Report button on any profile or listing to flag concerns; this is our notice-and-action channel for content that may be illegal or against these terms. We review reports and may take action including content removal, warnings, suspensions, or permanent bans. When we restrict, remove, or limit your content or account, we will tell you the reason and how to respond, unless the law or a serious safety risk prevents it. Patterns of bad behaviour, attempted fraud, harassment, or actions that endanger members or pets result in account termination.
Termination and data deletion
You may stop using the service at any time. You can request account deletion through the in-app settings flow; we follow our GDPR cleanup procedure for confirmed deletion requests. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, with or without notice depending on severity.
Governing law and disputes
These terms are governed by the laws of Poland. Any dispute that cannot be resolved through good-faith communication will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Warsaw, Poland. Where local consumer protection laws give you stronger rights, those rights apply notwithstanding the choice of governing law.
Changes to these terms
We may update these terms as the product evolves. The effective date above reflects the last meaningful change. Material changes will be communicated via in-app notice or email. Continued use after a material change constitutes acceptance.