House Sitting Australia uses Stripe Identity to help verify that members are real people using genuine identity documents.
This is designed to add another layer of trust between homeowners and house sitters.
House sitting involves homes, pets, keys, personal property, travel plans, and real responsibility. Identity verification helps both sides feel more confident before making arrangements.
What Is Identity Verification?
Identity verification is a secure check that confirms a person is who they say they are.
On House Sitting Australia, this process is handled through Stripe Identity.
Stripe is a well-known payment and verification provider. When you complete the identity check, you are sent to Stripe’s secure verification page. Stripe checks your identity documents and returns the result to House Sitting Australia.
House Sitting Australia does not need to store copies of your driver licence, passport, selfie, or other sensitive identity images.
Why We Use It
Trust matters in house sitting.
Homeowners are trusting someone with their home, pets, garden, keys, and personal space.
House sitters are also trusting homeowners to provide accurate information, safe conditions, and fair expectations.
Identity verification helps confirm that a member is a real person using genuine identity information.
It may be used to support:
- verified member badges
- safer messaging
- stronger profiles
- sit applications
- property listings
- sit agreements
A verified badge helps build confidence, but it is not a complete safety guarantee.
The Verified User Badge
Members who complete the identity check may receive a Verified User badge or green tick on their profile.
This badge means the member has completed an identity check through Stripe.
It does not mean HSA guarantees the person’s character, experience, insurance, behaviour, or suitability for a particular sit.
In plain English:
Identity verified does not mean character guaranteed.
It is one useful trust signal, not the whole story.
What You May Need
To complete the identity check, you may need:
- a valid government-issued photo ID
- a driver licence, passport, or similar document
- a mobile phone with a camera
- a selfie
- personal details requested by Stripe
The exact steps may vary depending on your country, device, and Stripe’s requirements.
How the Process Works
The process is fairly simple.
- Go to the Membership section of your HSA account.
- Find the Verified User section.
- Select Start Identity Check.
- You will be taken to Stripe’s secure verification page.
- Stripe will ask you to agree and continue.
- You may be asked to photograph your ID document.
- You may be asked to take a selfie.
- Stripe checks the document and selfie.
- Submit the verification.
- Return to House Sitting Australia.
Once submitted, your profile may show Pending Review while the check is being processed.
This usually takes a few minutes, but it can sometimes take longer.
Why Stripe May Ask You To Use Your Phone
If you start the process on a desktop or laptop, Stripe may ask you to continue on your mobile phone.
This is because your phone camera is usually the easiest way to photograph your ID and take a selfie.
You may see a QR code on your computer screen.
To continue:
- Open the camera app on your phone.
- Scan the QR code.
- Follow the Stripe instructions on your phone.
- Complete the identity check.
- Return to HSA when finished.
What “Pending Review” Means
After you submit your documents, Stripe reviews the information.
During this time, your HSA account may show Pending Review.
This means your documents have been submitted but the verification has not yet been fully completed.
Once Stripe finishes the review, your HSA profile can be updated.
Possible statuses include:
- Unverified: identity check has not been completed
- Pending: submitted and waiting for Stripe review
- Verified: identity check approved
- Requires Input: Stripe needs more information or better images
- Failed: the check could not be completed
What HSA Stores
House Sitting Australia only needs to store the verification result.
HSA may store:
- your verification status
- the date the check was completed
- Stripe’s verification reference
- the type of identity check completed
HSA does not need to store your ID images or selfie.
That is safer for members and better for privacy.
Privacy And Security
Your identity documents are handled through Stripe’s secure system.
Stripe performs the identity check and returns the result to HSA.
This means sensitive identity material is not stored directly inside the HSA app.
That reduces privacy risk and helps protect members.
What Identity Verification Does Not Do
Identity verification is useful, but it has limits.
It does not prove that someone is:
- honest
- experienced
- insured
- reliable
- suitable for your pets
- suitable for your home
- safe in every situation
It only confirms that the person passed an identity check.
You should still use normal care when arranging a house sit.
Use Verification With Other Trust Checks
A verified badge should be used together with other sensible checks.
These may include:
- profile details
- clear messages
- phone or video calls
- reviews
- references
- police checks where appropriate
- written sit agreements
- emergency contacts
- pet care instructions
- common sense
The best protection is not one single check. It is a combination of clear information, good communication, and practical judgement.
A Better Trust Layer For House Sitting
House Sitting Australia is being built around fair, practical trust.
Identity verification is part of that.
It helps homeowners and sitters know they are dealing with a real person. It also gives serious members a way to show they are prepared to be accountable.
The goal is not to make the process complicated.
The goal is to make house sitting safer, clearer, and more reliable for everyone involved.
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