Advice to hosts

[WheresBabZ]

I have 5 star ratings from sits. I am regularly invited back or from hosts on platform I don’t know but they saw my experience.

I am finishing what I now realize is too many months of housesitting. I have been doing this for many years in the US and out.

This year was the worst. From previous hosts who invited me back and I was delighted to return except…they failed to share changes/updates until I arrived. To newbies who know how to be a host innately and understand the THS give and take. To sits where I thought I asked all the right questions and was deceived by hosts during the interview.

I also get into precarious positions because I only take 3+ week sits filling in with short ones if I want. This places me in a bad situation for longer if it isn’t right. So here’s my advice to hosts:

-Be honest - brutally. Previous sit in a gorgeous movie quality LA home anyone would move into in a minute. Last year was amazing. This year she invited me back and didn’t tell me till I arrived that the cat (17) stopped using the litter box. Moved it to the great room where the cat pooped in it and all over the carpet. The room smelled to high heaven. I got pee pads and deodorizer and put up with it for 2+ weeks. Another invite I walked in and they said they had an small ant problem and were spraying Raid to keep them “under control”. Next morning I walked into my bathroom to a swarm of ants all over everything on the counter. Went out to my car and all the ants were climbing up the charging cable into my car, charging port and hatch. I was bit my mosquitos in the same home. In the end they thought I was being unreasonable despite the photos and videos I shared.
-Two sits that were unclean. One for 3 weeks THS refused to help “they didn’t deem it a problem” and the second absolutely was a problem but only there 5 days. THS said “it is subjective what is unclean.”
-Air conditioning - I always clarify from the posting there is AC. NOW I need to ask if there is AC in the BEDROOM. One host purposefully deceived me about this. After sleeping for a week on the couch where the AC was, I had to leave and how dirty the house was. THS disagreed. Two weeks in a hotel at my expense. If you think I take leaving a sit lightly you are mistaken.
-House cleaning - a host who has their regular housekeeper or schedules cleaning before and after your sit is heaven. I am a very neat person, but it is so nice to know a professional has cleaned before and after. I know how to clean a house, it should be clean before I arrive.

• Fridge - Don’t fill it or worse leave all your old moldy food in it before a sitter arrives. Leaves no room for our goods or worse cleaning it which is disgusting. And the comment “eat whatever is left in there just replace it.” Shows how little you care about sitters. And you’re in it for cheap animal care.
  -Know how stuff works in your home -knowing how your wifi works, where it is and password; leaving your garage door opener elsewhere, knowing something is “inconvenient but you’ll get over it”, how your HVAC thermostat works. I have no answer to this as we are meeting for the first time to start the sit and have to resist my urge to leave before they get in their ride to the airport.
  -Do not take your animal in for routine vet work or surgery immediately prior to the sit. And if it’s an emergency let the sitter know BEFORE they arrive. Anything can go wrong after you leave, medications can have reactions. This is leaving a sitter in an uncomfortable position they don’t know they are walking into until they arrive.
• If your pet has a health issue disclose it in the listing or at the very least the interview. Sure you probably won’t get a sitter - but telling a sitter on arrival is unfair. I did not learn about the dog’s trauma around pooping until she told me on arrival. Three days without pooping, then the screaming when the poor dog finally gave in was terrifying for me and the dog.

THS platform is a give and take. Sitters are not looking for a Four Seasons experience. We expect to walk into a clean space, be welcomed and no surprises that we can’t walk away from. We have a duty of care to each other - hosts provide a clean safe environment and honesty around their pets needs (that is obviously open to interpretation) and sitters have a duty of care for the animal(s) and home within reason.

For me it has become abundantly clear that hosts who love to travel LOVE THS because its “FREE” animal care.

“They had used boarding or Rover and paid but THS is so much better because it is FREE allowing them to travel more.” We are not (free) help. It is a give and take but sitters are unable to walk away, report, change our minds upon arrival. There is no management to complain to and no exit.

I personally don’t appreciate the attitude and excitement of what hosts are getting for free versus appreciation for the care I take for their furry family and their most expensive asset their home.

Rethinking my sitting strategy in the future. More questions to ask at an interview. More careful in accepting a sit. THS is not sitter supportive, takes too long to respond when in real need. Maybe moving to a professional business model of payment for service rendered is the way to go.

[Garfield]

Thank you for sharing and giving examples of what you have encountered @WheresBabZ .

It is very useful for the rest of us. Deceiving fellow members with factors they must have known and that greatly impact the sit is so serious.

In my opinion it is very important that THS step up on the support of sitter-members. Without sitters they have nothing to offer. I’m a member on a home exchange platform also (and the members there are less frantic about cleaning than pet-owners, which says a lot).

It is not so easy in all circumstances, but one should have a plan B and also think through what it would take to just walk away from a sit on arrival or mid-sit. It is really difficult, but maybe think through scenarios could help in the actual situation.

THS support or lack thereof for sitters is the no. 1 reason why I would consider to not renew my membership.

[WheresBabZ]

I agree with you. Determining my next steps. Walking away from an animal is very hard. And while host is away and may not have a back up. I remember a host here say “you shouldn’t expect the Four Seasons!” My reply was “you’re probably staying somewhere cleaner than what you left for your sitter.” No we don’t expect hospital clean but a place to put our clothes, clean surfaces in bathroom and kitchen and comfortable bed. And no surprises animal care. Honestly not too much to expect. And the deceit is bad. Maybe I need to walk out during the walk thru and let them know this won’t work for me for 3 weeks while you enjoy your vacation on the beach. What shocker that would be taking photos as I go

| Garfield
22 December |

• | - |

Thank you for sharing and giving examples of what you have encountered @WheresBabZ .

It is very useful for the rest of us. Deceiving fellow members with factors they must have known and that greatly impact the sit is so serious.

In my opinion it is very important that THS step up on the support of sitter-members. Without sitters they have nothing to offer. I’m a member on a home exchange platform also (and the members there are less frantic about cleaning than pet-owners, which says a lot).

It is not so easy in all circumstances, but one should have a plan B and also think through what it would take to just walk away from a sit on arrival or mid-sit. It is really difficult, but maybe think through scenarios could help in the actual situation.

THS support or lack thereof for sitters is the no. 1 reason why I would consider to not renew my membership.

[WheresBabZ]

Or call THS during the walk thru!

| Garfield
22 December |

• | - |

Thank you for sharing and giving examples of what you have encountered @WheresBabZ .

It is very useful for the rest of us. Deceiving fellow members with factors they must have known and that greatly impact the sit is so serious.

In my opinion it is very important that THS step up on the support of sitter-members. Without sitters they have nothing to offer. I’m a member on a home exchange platform also (and the members there are less frantic about cleaning than pet-owners, which says a lot).

It is not so easy in all circumstances, but one should have a plan B and also think through what it would take to just walk away from a sit on arrival or mid-sit. It is really difficult, but maybe think through scenarios could help in the actual situation.

THS support or lack thereof for sitters is the no. 1 reason why I would consider to not renew my membership.

Personal information was removed to comply with the Terms of Service

[toreishi]

Thanks for your observations , insight and (…ugh) details of your experiences.

I have been a local sitter for many, many years and have recently begun venturing abroad. I have a pointed question for you :
Have you found that your bad experiences (and for sake of discussion , let’s limit these to owner deception, “side-stepping,” limited disclosure, hubris/entitlement, etc.) increasing in recent years ?
I sense -even locally - that the above are the primary challenges. I believe that I ask myriad detailed questions and listen well. But occasionally a conscious or not omission by the owner creates challenges which could easily have been avoided. The animals , thank goodness, remain fabulous !

[toml]

@WheresBabZ So sorry to read your experiences. I am pretty careful but in 100 or so sits, in the US, UK, Australia, S Korea and Canada have really had only 1 bad experience and it really wasn’t that bad - cluttered house and could have been cleaner. And fortunately in a place where the dog and I could spend lots of time outdoors - sitting in coffee shops, walks, etc.
I’m not sure what I would do if I came on a bad sit.
I’m sure that all along folks have joined to find sitters have wanted to save money. But I wonder if THS is promoting HO memberships too aggressively and not making the exchange element clear enough?

[Garfield]

I get the impression also that often when sitters have a really bad experience and seek advice on forum, more often they will say they don’t have much of an option than to just stay - they don’t have funds or possibilities to find other accommodation/ travel. I fear that one is left more open to be exploited when one have less options. Maybe accept a sit that isn’t optimal, not pushing back to host, or simply that people who take advantage of others pick up on it - an easier target - like bullies will pick someone that can’t get back.

I see that some might interpret this as «it is their own fault». No, it isn’t. I believe that if you have insight in your resources and situation that can give a better foundation. For instance having a power shift - they need me more than I need them, can alter the situation.

If you don’t know what to say - don’t. If you are uncomfortable with «conflicts» chances are if you answer quickly, you will just oblige to make the conflict go away. And regret later. Breath and think before you answer. The pause in itself will say you are not a push-over. If you want to take the lead, make a reasonable suggestion for a solution first.

Needy owner? «I will send you updates in the afternoon with our adventures, as I will not be available when Furbie and I are out».

Springing horses on you? «I can’t take that on. maybe you have a neighbor or friend that could take care of them?»

Workers coming over? «I need to know the times they will be here to put it in my schedule». Or «I won’t be able to accommodate that in the afternoon, but if they come before noon I can let them in».

If someone says something that is really entitled, demanding or such - buy yourself a little time, and make them more aware by forcing them to repeat what they said (pretend you didn’t get it):

«I’m sorry - could you repeat that, please?»

Setting boundaries can be difficult if you are not used to it. It gets easier if you practice. When you’re good at it, you don’t need it as much. People will pick up on that you are good at it, so you don’t have to.

[WheresBabZ]

Oh I am very capable of finding an escape route. It’s the animal I feel more beholden to and stuck in a bad situation not of their making. And god knows what THS would do to any of us who call it quits -goodness knows having to sleep on the couch for 3 weeks w AC they didn’t see as an issue. So I did leave. After that I am loathe to call THS for ANYTHING.

Your suggested responses to host overreach are good. Filed those away! Tho not sure I’ll be housesitting much in future. And even those repeats from last year let me down badly and surprisingly.

| Garfield
22 December |

• | - |

I get the impression also that often when sitters have a really bad experience and seek advice on forum, more often they will say they don’t have much of an option than to just stay - they don’t have funds or possibilities to find other accommodation/ travel. I fear that one is left more open to be exploited when one have less options. Maybe accept a sit that isn’t optimal, not pushing back to host, or simply that people who take advantage of others pick up on it - an easier target - like bullies will pick someone that can’t get back.

I see that some might interpret this as «it is their own fault». No, it isn’t. I believe that if you have insight in your resources and situation that can give a better foundation. For instance having a power shift - they need me more than I need them, can alter the situation.

If you don’t know what to say - don’t. If you are uncomfortable with «conflicts» chances are if you answer quickly, you will just oblige to make the conflict go away. And regret later. Breath and think before you answer. The pause in itself will say you are not a push-over. If you want to take the lead, make a reasonable suggestion for a solution first.

Needy owner? «I will send you updates in the afternoon with our adventures, as I will not be available when Furbie and I are out».

Springing horses on you? «I can’t take that on. maybe you have a neighbor or friend that could take care of them?»

Workers coming over? «I need to know the times they will be here to put it in my schedule». Or «I won’t be able to accommodate that in the afternoon, but if they come before noon I can let them in».

If someone says something that is really entitled, demanding or such - buy yourself a little time, and make them more aware by forcing them to repeat what they said (pretend you didn’t get it):

«I’m sorry - could you repeat that, please?»

Setting boundaries can be difficult if you are not used to it. It gets easier if you practice. When you’re good at it, you don’t need it as much. People will pick up on that you are good at it, so you don’t have to.

[WheresBabZ]

Thanks for your kind thoughts. I think you may be onto something about promoting as a free service undercutting and targeting current Rover hosts. Definitely no attention to rules or duty of care.

I too spend lots of time - like all day out of my current sit as there I nowhere to work, dark, dirty and not sleeping well. Counting down too many days and then I am done and starting overseas travel in hotels and cruise ships. Can’t come soon enough after this round of bad sits.

| toml
22 December |

• | - |

@WheresBabZ So sorry to read your experiences. I am pretty careful but in 100 or so sits, in the US, UK, Australia, S Korea and Canada have really had only 1 bad experience and it really wasn’t that bad - cluttered house and could have been cleaner. And fortunately in a place where the dog and I could spend lots of time outdoors - sitting in coffee shops, walks, etc.
I’m not sure what I would do if I came on a bad sit.
I’m sure that all along folks have joined to find sitters have wanted to save money. But I wonder if THS is promoting HO memberships too aggressively and not making the exchange element clear enough?

[WheresBabZ]

Aw thank you and you too! I also started local and the. Went from there.

Yes in 10+ years more dishonesty post covid. They want to travel have this animal not enough money for both. So I am finding more bad actors and questions not answered honestly.

They are not getting the give and take of the arrangement without money. This is not ALL but more than previous.

Be fabulous yourself. Happy holidays.

| toreishi
22 December |

• | - |

Thanks for your observations , insight and (…ugh) details of your experiences.

I have been a local sitter for many, many years and have recently begun venturing abroad. I have a pointed question for you :
Have you found that your bad experiences (and for sake of discussion , let’s limit these to owner deception, “side-stepping,” limited disclosure, hubris/entitlement, etc.) increasing in recent years ?
I sense -even locally - that the above are the primary challenges. I believe that I ask myriad detailed questions and listen well. But occasionally a conscious or not omission by the owner creates challenges which could easily have been avoided. The animals , thank goodness, remain fabulous !

[rosie8]

Thanks for sharing your experiences WheresBabZ.
I’ve had much less experience and no awful sits, but relate to the ‘not as clean as advertised’ spirit of your post, and the fridge especially.

However I had an interesting experience recently that may be useful.
I’m no longer on THS as I don’t have time to sit now, but was cruising through my local neighbourhood FB page.

There was a request for a short-notice local house-sitter as an ongoing arrangement for the odd weekend or up to a week away at fairly short notice. I thought, if it’s close by that would be fun, I miss the animals!

Also said, willing to pay.
My niece is on a payment sitting site and is regularly booked; so checked out her site, made up a $ number ($77 per night) and applied; got the job, it’s literally round the corner. The owner was totally fine with paying and with my amount; she wanted a short trial run of several hours, it went well, she paid me $35 for that without a blink.

It’s made me realise that the right people PREFER to pay sitters; they find it more professional, and still way better service and cheaper than animals in kennels.

So have a ponder about switching to paid sites. I was personally surprised how busy they are, how busy my niece is and the whole possibility of ‘worst case, at least you get paid.’. Check them out.

[WheresBabZ]

@Garfield And not seeking advice sharing experience. I am
Old and wise enough to get myself out of any situation.

[WheresBabZ]

Thanks Rosie sent you a message.

[WheresBabZ]

Yes worse in the last two years.

[Explorer]

I had considered the same. However, I was concerned that by being on my own I would not at least have reviews to see. Additionally, theoretically, HOs have some concern for consistent last-minute sits.

Unfortunately, I have seen a significant decline in the quality of sits since I began in 2018. There’s definitely a more selfish attitude on both sides of the relationship. Is this any surprise? The world, as a whole, has become so much more selfish.

I’m considering no lingering sitting, unfortunately. I started sitting to get my fix of cuddles occasionally in my travels as I now travel too much to have my own pets. I’m seeing the same as you and am no longer sure it’s worth the trouble.

[WheresBabZ]

Yep we’re in the same boat. I’m ok with it. Figuring out next steps for 25 and 26. Many places I want to go don’t have “sits”. But US dollar is strong so it works out. I’m over the cuddles with high maintenance pets.
Happy holidays. All the best.

[Thelawyer]

you are absolutely right and that is why my house rules have been updated sitting after sitting. You found dirty houses, I found dirty sitters who did not respect the minimum house rules, who brought unauthorized guests, who moved furniture, hammered nails, even changed the light bulbs with others of a different color and put their hands on my boxes where there were personal documents. They emptied my closets, moved all my things, left the house dirty and smelly. Crazy people. Now my interview are like police interview Lots of sitter doesn’t read the guide and are very big liars.

[WheresBabZ]

This door definitely swings both ways. Best compliments I get from hosts is “It looks like you’ve never been here.” And all they have is lots of happy pet photos. But I am
Over the host who does not care enough to prep their home for a sitter let alone a guest of any kind.

[Whirld-Traveller]

Oh, my—that IS a lot of terrible experiences!

[cmalexan]

I fear that any good idea, over time, lends itself to abusers. That is both hosts and sitters. If THS is to remain successful and not lose their best hosts and sitters, they will need to address this situation. Altho “cleanliness” etc. may be subjective, other things such as honesty is not. If hosts had to fill out a form from THS that specified some of the grievances listed, they might be avoided. Dishonesty, proven by the sitter, would have to be followed up with removal from the site. The review process does not work well enough to eliminate problems. Dates for sits need to be listed when no review is given. The responsibility for good experiences rests with THS making necessary changes as the company evolves.