Well now you will know to ask, but, adding it to your profile is worthwhile too. Mine says “smoke free sits only please”. I think it’s helpful to have a standard checklist of things to ask in a video call or introductory e-mails so you don’t forget details that are important to you. This would be something to add.
I think you’ve received some good advice here, just mentioning the facts about having had to clean, and where the cat is fed. Not everyone minds that but for those who do, it’s a heads-up. I don’t think it would hurt to mention that you didn’t know it was a smoking house and that your husband had some trouble with that.
I hope you don’t have long to go there and can get out to a healthier environment soon.
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@Niknav, others have provided feedback on smoking topic.
In regards cleanliness then we have had a few housesits that, on arrival, we deemed less clean than expected. Cleanliness is a subjective term and personal standard. On one sit last year - of multiple weeks - then we felt the need to deep clean key rooms of the house, and consciously close doors to rooms that we did not wish to use (and advise host that we had closed doors to rooms X, Y, Z and did not plan to use them).
We ask diligent questions in video calls. But once in a while we simply get surprised by something unexpected. We believe that most THS members - hosts and housesitters - are good people but there are exceptions.
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@Niknav, I’m sorry you’re dealing with this on your current sit.
Lingering smoke indoors can be really uncomfortable, and for anyone with asthma or sensitivities it can quickly become a health concern.
There’s some great advice here around setting expectations early, asking directly about smoking during the initial call, and keeping reviews factual so future sitters can make informed decisions. I’ve also passed the suggestion of a smoking/non-smoking option in listings over to the team - if I hear anything back about this then I’ll update in this post!
If others have wording that’s worked well when raising this with homeowners (either before or during a sit), please share, it may really help sitters facing the same situation!
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Thanks to everyone for the advice. Yes, we should have asked and yes we will ask on future. In our defence it is so unusual these days. This is sit number 16 & we’ve never encountered it before. I will mention it in the review, briefly and factually as suggested. Only 2 more nights then relief.
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i agree with you, but a lot of Hosts will only look at your application, and your reviews, not your profile, so it needs to be mentioned in your application too.
Hi Niknav, In my profile I have mentioned that I am a life long non-smoker. I have never thought to bring the subject up when applying, although a lot of the sits I have applied for have asked for non-smokers only. So far I believe everybody I have sat for has been a non-smoker, as have not met anybody that was smoking and no signs of ashtrays etc. Hope your next sit goes better.
So do I as it’s for the whole of February! It is a b&b (owners going on holiday) so I hope it’s non-smoking 
Now might be a good time to clarify that, @Niknav ? 
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We state in our profile that we’ll only sit in non-smoking homes. There’s absolutely no negotiation on that and we’d leave a sit if we found otherwise (and would know, instantly upon arrival).
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