As a HO I have had a few incidents of disappearing food and empty or open packets left at the back of my cupboards (for me to find later)… as a HO I would expect sitters to buy and use their own food, unless told they can use something (basic etiquette). Often I have things that I will not use and that would go off before returning, so I will call these out to a sitter to say use if you want or bin if you don’t. Often the sitters are good with my pets but i am getting annoyed with sitters that think it’s ok to use stuff and not replace it or use stuff and replace it with a poor substitute - example extra virgin olive oil vs. colza oil. Plus it seems we have some sitters with champagne taste but bucks fizz budgets, who think it’s ok to use my best / expensive stuff when there is everyday stuff available (truffle mayo anyone). Same goes for washing powder and detergent, use of tumble driers - I ask people to be mindful of resources and then come home to no products and clear evidence that the dryer has been on when we have a perfectly good airing room and washing line. Is the self sufficient rating a good way to mark down such abuses? Using my food and stuff isn’t being self sufficient. If this was Airbnb you would get a minimum of stuff and then you are self catering. My home isn’t a hotel, I also had one sitter ask if I had slippers for him! Sitters I would like to hear your thoughts on how to address this… I’m going to make it very explicit in the welcome guide ongoing and then will start marking folks down who eat my stuff and don’t replace it. HO’s have you had similar experiences?
I never take anything of the foods you mention without it being offered (usually not even if offered, actually. Mostly because I don’t need or want it). Behavior like hiding empties sound immature at best.
If you have special items I would simply take them away before sit. For a sitter it could simply be «oil», and not knowing it is anything special.
Drying habits for clothing can be very country specific, so you need to mention it, how one should do it if important to you. In some countries/ types of housing it is important to use the dryer and NOT hang up (much) clothes on the line, as it could form spores of mold and walls and building grow moldy, which is both a health hazard and way more expensive than using the dryer. I have actually handled a case of a big bill for someone renting an apartment where they were «mindful» of electricity, and as a result the apartment needed to be sanitized - much more costly. So your sitter might have been mindful of cost but on different factors than you.
I would recommend being extremely clear about what sitters can use/not use. On almost every sit I’ve done, I’ve been told to help myself to anything (literally anything, including wine, alcohol). However, I never do. I prefer to buy my own food and wine. I’m actually rather picky about my olive oil and don’t use the HOs which is typically much less expensive than mine (some sitters can afford our expensive tastes). Also keep in mind some people may not know which stuff is expensive. On arrival at sits I’m often left with expired food or produce past when I would eat it, all that goes in the bin. I certainly don’t replace things I threw out.
If I’m on a longer sit, I bring my own laundry supplies. However, if it’s a short sit where I might do 1-2 loads of laundry, I don’t feel like I should have to bring my own detergent. When I wash the sheets/towels at the end of a sit, I do use the HOs detergent. If there is a tumble dryer I use it, it would not occur to me not to. Unless you have specifically said not to use the dryer, you should expect it to be used.
Since all sits and HOs are different. It’s best to be extremely clear about your expectations.
Not only do I not eat the host’s food, but I also dislike seeing half-eaten or spoiled food. It’s gross and thoughtless to expect the sitter to eat your leftovers or clean them up for you. I would not think twice about using laundry detergent to do one load of laundry a week, but I would replace it if I dramatically reduced the host’s supply. It would not occur to me to avoid using the dryer (as in an Airbnb). You might want to consider how you have selected your sitters and communicated your demands and restrictions.
As others have suggested, be specific. But I’d also take into account that you don’t want to come across as petty, because that will put off sitters, including ones who wouldn’t take advantage anyway. Like sitters have been turned off on the forum when they’ve heard of other sitters who’ve encountered hosts who put Post-its on various things, warning off sitters.
In my case, I buy my own food and rarely avail myself of hosts’ food or products, even when encouraged to help myself. I even bring laundry detergent in sheet form and buy my own toilet paper, tissues, etc., so I can use what I like. But I’d be wary of any hosts who seem stingy, because then I wonder whether they’ll have exacting expectations otherwise. To me, not worth the risks of such sits.
The kinds of things you mentioned, like olive oil or such, aren’t that expensive unless they’re using multiple bottles of high-end stuff. Given the care your pets receive, such costs are usually minor. Like I’ve definitely been invited to help myself to much more, though I prefer my own purchases/choices.
BTW, I’d always use a dryer, even if they had hanging facilities, because I pack light and don’t want to wait for uncertain drying times. Plus, hanging clothing dry often leaves it stiff and uncomfortable. Using a dryer for a load or two is a minor cost. If a host begrudged me that, I would think them cheap and not worth sitting for. And I had one host who even voluntarily left me quarters for multiple loads on a two-week sit, because the landlord had installed a paid washer and dryer.
Will certainly think about the country specifics but mould certain wouldn’t be an issue here.
In many countries, people take their shoes off at the door and wear slippers kept at the entrance. Perhaps thats what he was asking for, not a new pair of ugg boots.
Normal usage is fine and defo rotten food is a no no, only fresh and in date 
Hi @Nrgeec I can understand your annoyance, but also wanted to share a really positive THS experience as food for thought:
I’ve just read a lovely review left for a friend of mine who is a home owner, following her first experience using a sitter via THS. They both gave each other 5 star reviews, and the review from the sitter mentions that my friend picked her up from the station, dropped her off again, left her wine and snacks along with the offer to help herself to whatever else she wanted, and also shared a meal with the sitter the evening before she travelled. My friend also let the sitter stay on for an extra night when her next sit fell through. She didn’t ask my advice as to whether any of this would be expected of her – she just did it, probably because she’d do the same for a friend.
In return, my friend was able to enjoy her time away, with regular updates, and happy in the knowledge that her pets were being well cared for. She came home to a clean home, and apparently her dog fell in love with the sitter and is still sulking now that her new bestie has gone! It sounds as though the sit was an all round success and I’m sure they will keep in touch and both be happy to repeat the experience in the future.
I suppose my point is that, in life as well as house-sitting, we can either choose to count the cost, or make a conscious decision to extend a bit more generosity. Unfortunately there will always be people that take the Mickey given half a chance, but most of the time, a little generosity goes a long way and tends to come back to you at some point too. I’m also guessing that it probably results in a more fun overall experience than fretting over the illicit consumption of a bit of truffle mayo.
Yes. I have had even white hosts in the U.S. who’ve adopted such practices. They keep about a dozen pairs of house slippers for guests. They showed them to me on arrival and offered me a pair, but I have my own, which I always pack.
Yes, I read petty. Free pet care and complains about the use of olive oil which providing spices and oils is standard here.
As a homeowner, I am always surprised people can be so stingy. I always offer any food that is in the house and one bottle of wine of their choice. Condiments, spices and other basics should definitely be able to be used.
I think basic etiquette is being kind to those that watch your beloved pets for free! It is standard here to offer oils and spices. Yes I do know some olive oils are quite pricy but you can just put those away and buy a less expensive one for the sitter. Most of the sits I am on tell me to help myself to anything in the pantry. I have taken a few chips or a delicious looking sweet treat I won’t have in my cabinet at home. I take so few they probably wouldn’t even notice it was missing. I wouldn’t leave them with an empty pantry. Have one cabinet and say help yourself to the oils and spices in this cabinet only. You can even put on it sitter cabinet. Surprised you would want them to buy their own laundry detergent for a load or two. At the end they wash your towels and sheets.
I’m sorry but I think you sound mean. We sitters are saving you a fortune in pet care and you’re upset because they’ve used your olive oil and washing powder.
Help yourself to my leftovers but don’t even think about touching anything fresh is not the way to treat guests in your home.
..and we are guests, please stop equating the stay as us staying in an Airbnb - it’s starting to grate on my nerves. You placed a listing inviting someone to stay because you want your pets cared for whilst you are away - It is literally impossible for us to do that if we do not stay in your home.
The alternative is to employ a paid ‘professional’ sitter. They will charge you a considerable amount of cash AND stay in your home.
Clean socks is just fine, or pack some hotel slippers.
That’s fine and by the way I always cook meals when I invite sitters to welcome them to my home, it is the mickey I’m not keen on when I am being generous to start with.
You are missing the point, it is a service exchange free rent, bills paid, meal / drinks on arrival, things provided, in fact I give a lot and expect some courtesy in return. I have had some great sitters just wanted to call out when you have a guest in your home they also need to be mindful of others belongings. That’s all that is normal.
FYI free housing in return by the way not just pet care? Where I come from i ask before using someone’s stuff.
@Nrgeec
I think you simply need to be much clearer on your expectations of sitters. The clearer you are on what is/is not OK to eat/use etc the better all round. Some hosts offer everything and others offer nothing. As a sitter- if in doubt I don’t use/consume items or I replace them. We use olive oil exclusively, and with abandon!, so always bring our own and don’t use the HOs at all. In fact when on the road, like now, we have ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ on board so are extremely self sufficient! We always make a point of mentioning that when an HO is showing us what we can use. I’m sure they find it reassuring to know we are not planning to eat them out of house and home! Re-washing- i would always use some of the HOs products- if they have any- but don’t run the supply out completely without replacing. I therefore usually use a mix of our stuff and theirs. Most sitters are sensitive to use of HOs food and other products regardless of what is/is not offered.
We had one HO who left a note for us- please feel free to eat/drink anything from fridge or pantry that is already open. But do not open new packages and do not touch my alcohol. The tone felt rather unfriendly & unwelcoming. There is always a way to set boundaries in a friendly & respectful way.
Good advice thank you! 