I don’t have the user manuals for any of my appliances. They get tossed in the recycling bin because they are always available online.
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@Lassie I have often looked for instructions online, they are usually easy to find and also YouTube videos which are even better.
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And a hairdryer
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Shampoo and conditioner (can’t fly with these in hand luggage other than trial size)
Soap
Paper towels
Enough Toilet paper
Zip lock bags
A spare key somewhere
coffee & tea
Electric kettle
something to eat in the morning first day (bread and butter?)
cleaning products
extra towels sometimes there is only a bath towel and no hand towel
laundry detergent
enough pet food for the whole time HO is away
Hair dryer
I know I can purchase all these eventually but if I travel without a car it’s not so easy to lug all this back walking back to the home and some are essential on the first day. Also if it’s a short sit why should I buy all these things for the HO only to leave them behind.
Maybe a master list can be set up as a suggestion by THS and sent to HO for the most common requests for essential items.
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Hairdryer? A travel-size hairdryer takes up so little space. I’d never expect a HO to provide one for me!
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I really appreciate a hairdryer as it takes up so much space in my luggage. Otherwise, I am happy to buy everything I need.
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I’ll add flyswatter to the list.
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Our home isn’t perfect but as sitters and homeowners, we got 90% of these suggestions covered. We do not have a tea kettle, for example. That’s what the microwave is for! 
But sitters, when you’re in our home, please text us if you can’t find anything. We do not mind hearing from you. The home orientation is so chock full of details, it’s OK to forget where the cheese grater is.
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I’ve missed having a toaster on the last few house sits! I always bring my own scales with me - my husband thinks I’m crazy but I’m a fitness fanatic.
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Hangers. I’m still surprised every time I open up an empty closet and there’s no hangers.
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Well I disagree, it’s not a big ask if they have a hair dryer in their home already, why not just leave it out. I was not asking them to buy one. Not too many homes don’t already have one. Also Not all hairdryers are global.
Also traveling international with only hand luggage doesn’t usual mean bringing appliances, even travel size. There is enough to fit in that tiny bag already. Like all the other essential things on the list that the HO doesn’t provide.
If a HO think these basic items listed in this discussion are too much to ask for then they should consider what a paid sitter would cost them and maybe go that route instead.
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Hair removal system
Poop bags (if you have a dog)
I sit in a surprising amount of homes without dyers and I have a lot of black clothes. I am always wondering how HOs who have animals get the hair off all their clothes if they do not have dyers or hair removal systems in the house.
I always read the welcome guide but it is a lot of information, especially if it is 24 pages and I might not remember everything
I am reading this thread with amazement and I fear that it could put HOs off having a sitter.
Having been a sitter for over 12 years, my expectations are:
Space for clothes + hangers
Fridge, freezer space
Use of oils herbs and spices
Well documented house/pet instructions
I do not expect anything else even when travelling abroad with limited luggage. It is my responsibility to take/buy sufficient toiletries, food and other items.
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If sitters feel that these need/wish list items will make or break their sitting experience, perhaps they should consider preparing a list of them, and including it in their profile. That way, a HO would be informed prior to beginning the process of engaging in a conversation with the potential sitter. As in all things, this subject matter varies as to each individual’s perspective. Mutual respect and being open to different circumstances is something that goes without saying for both parties of this lifestyle. However, adaptability, reality, and the fact that this is a temporary situation, should also always be taken into consideration. I’m of the mindset that less is more. The less we have to carry, the less I expect a HO to provide for us, the happier we are. If we want/need/require something, we are pretty good at obtaining it for ourselves. For us, this lifestyle is about living during this time period with less, and being very thankful for what has been provided.
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I think a wardrobe/cupboard/drawer space to unpack our clothes is an important one for us. If the sit is long it’s nice not to be living out of a suitcase
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@Itchyfeet I’m the same, I am astounded, and often shocked, at what some sitters expect. I’m obviously easily pleased.
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@Jilly @Itchyfeet Same, as long as I have a comfy bed, nice pets, good wifi and things are as described I’m happy!
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I must admit that I was disheartened when I saw this post started. I try to sit back and quietly watch everyone share their opinions and preferences on the forum, but waking up to so many entries on this post has mentally exhausted me. 
This is exactly as you have said … in your opinion. However, THS members come from all walks of life, all economic levels, and so many countries. I disagree that these items should be in every home. After I’d only done a few sits with THS, I realized how much I had improved my ability to adapt and be flexible. I am also an outlier when it comes to the so-called necessities list that many post, and I’ll spare everyone the details here.
I’m currently on a sit where these homeowners could have written the guide on how to welcome a sitter and make them feel comfortable and appreciated (and they are relatively new to THS). However, I didn’t find a teapot in the kitchen, but there is a fancy coffee machine (and I don’t drink coffee). There’s also a beautiful dining room that may have a teapot, but I choose to not explore those cabinets. A teapot is not something I pack, so instead I improvised. I found the biggest mug in the kitchen, a small shallow dish for my ‘lid’, and I’ve made my teapot. A basic improvisation that is working well. Chances are the homeowners would say ‘Why didn’t you ask?’ and the answer would be because it wasn’t important enough.
If an item is important to me, I ask in advance. If not, I improvise or do without, and be grateful for all that I do have available to me. 
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Thanks for summarizing for us HOs!
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