If you have this in writing I would reconfirm with her that the visitor is a member of THS, as you required. If it was just verbal it will be harder to hold her to it, and not really possible if she’s determined. I agree about having a video chat with both of them so you can feel better about who is in your home, or cancel if the vibe is off. If you cancel, I’d inform Member Services in writing your reason for canceling is that the sitter made a request that breaches your agreement and you’re no longer comfortable.
Smiley, you are correct in saying they do not have to be police checked. Over my 12 years with Trusted Housesitters and over 30 house sitters stay, the very first thing I look at is the reviews and then if they have been police checked. A personal thing for me, as I always try to give sitters starting out, who have only 1 or 2 reviews the chance to build their resume by giving them the sit. This is when I value the police check, because I give the sit to sitters from all over the world. I was therefore beyond annoyed when I offered the house sit at short notice to a sitter who lives only 150 kms away and was police checked with many reviews and asked me to pay her to look after my dogs and home. I decided it’s only a week until I went away, to cancel her, gave my reasons and reported her. I always try to stick to sitters starting out now, who are police checked and just want the opportunity. They always do a brilliant job. Only once has a sitter asked if their son who wasn’t on the site could stay for 2 nights. I agreed after FaceTiming them. The site allows TRUST for both parties.
In fairness to the sitter, there was no indication they were dishonest or sneaky on the first sit. It may just be that they were unaware that THS specifically prohibits sitter guests not approved by the host. Though an obvious common sense behavior, plenty of experienced sitters on this forum have admitted not knowing of this restriction.
On this second sit, the sitter is being upfront and open. Though it might be coercive, it is not dishonest.
No. Simple. The person has not been vetted. It is not only to protect you, but to protect her. You are looking out for her interest as well. In the future-you may want to include for single sitter only or couples where both are vetted through TH in your petsit. The