If we have left a sit prematurely ( in agreement with the owners and THS app team), due to dangerously poor hygiene of home, what on earth do we say in the review? We don’t want any comeback, they are nice people and pets, but feel incredibly misled by their description of the home and their expectations of what is a normal sanitary environment. Not to mention the hassle and expense of finding alternative accommodation in the area for the rest of our trip
Can you provide a little more detail?
Hi @Jebelcat, welcome to the forum.
The only thing you can do is write an honest review. Be kind and factual, perhaps there are other people who don’t mind living in that environment but they deserve to know what they are facing.
The litter boxes were covered in old faeces, carpets soiled, beds soiled with faeces, bedding soiled when we removed the covers, an unbearable stench of cat urine in every room…
Yes exactly, I can’t let another sitter go through this so I need to be honest. I’m just not sure if the owners may be unaware that their standard of hygiene is sub-par, or they just don’t care about their sitter’s experience?
Stay factual and specific, and mention that THS agreed that you should leave, because of the unhygienic conditions. Leave your opinions and emotions out of the review. That will best serve other sitters.
There’s no need to guess why the hosts left the home in such a state.
If you are Premium members you will may be covered by the Sit Cancellation Plan
They’re not nice people. They left you a house that was so bad you had no choice but to leave.
Write the review accordingly.
Hi @Jebelcat 
I think the advice you’ve already received is spot on. The only thing I’d add is that reviews are there to help future members make informed decisions, not to punish hosts. If THS supported ending the sit because the home was uninhabitable, then that’s a significant factual point.
For example, a review could simply say:
“Unfortunately, we were unable to complete this sit because the condition of the home was not as described. We found multiple areas affected by animal waste and strong urine odours, and after discussing the situation with the hosts and THS Support, it was agreed that ending the sit was the appropriate outcome.”
That explains what happened without assigning blame or speculating about the hosts’ intentions. Future sitters can then make their own assessment.
@Jebelcat, welcome to THS Forum. Shame that it’s on such a difficult message.
Firstly, hope that you are ok, safe and becoming settled.
Second, kudos for recognizing a bad situation and proactively dealing with it.
Third, in response to your question - we agree with prior commenters
Many THS Forum threads discuss reviews. Best practice seems to be brief, factual and specific content. Authentic honesty and simple language is often fantastic … and difficult to contest in a reply. Some people seem to find difficulty - that can backfire - with reviews then they express subjective opinions; spew verbose detail; and/or use offensive language.
Suggest take your time to draft, edit and publish review. You have two weeks and your emotional first version may be raw.
Finally, as @Silversitters noted then if you are a Premium THS Member then Sit Cancellation Insurance may help fund alternative accommodation. Related policy terms are quirky and coverage amount is inflation-eroded. If in doubt, THS Member Services can probably help to assess your eligibility.
Thank you all for your advice. I’ve left a simple, factual review. Lesson learned to not take on sits without previous positive reviews
But is there anything that can be done for the animals not being properly cared for?
As @Maggie8K says there is no need to guess what the root of the problem is. But I love making up hypothesis. I have a theory about the conditions in which the house is left for sitters.
1 - In cases like the one you describe, I think that’s just the way they live, they find it natural and they share what they have. You say
So I don’t think they
They must feel if it’s good enough for them, it’s OK for everyone.
I think this applies to laid back, happy go lucky people who aren’t necessarily bad hosts but don’t pay too much attention to certain conventions.
2- Hosts have a lived in house, where they live comfortably, but make an extra effort of cleaning and tidying up for guests, they want the guests to feel welcome and they also want to show their home in the best possible light.
In my experience, this represents the majority of hosts in THS and in life in general. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always guarantee a positive experience for guests because their standards may vary but I would say that, in general, people tend to appreciate the effort and show some grace, probably out of respect for other people’s lifestyles and the hospitality they show sharing an improved version of their home.
3- Hosts feel sitters are employees and they are the entitled type of employer. No need to be nice or think of employees as people with their own needs. They “pay” to have a job done and they want to get good value for th eir “money”. The kind of employer who would not offer a cleaner or a gardener a cup of coffee or even a glass of water.
These experiences tend to be poor in terms of hospitality and communication style but can vary a lot regarding cleaning. If they have a regular cleaner and the house is cleaned before the sit, then it will be fine but if, for example, the cleaner comes on Thursdays and the sit starts on a Tuesday, the house will probably be in a poor condition, especially if there are kids. Funny thing is that these people tend to expect a spotless house even if the cleaning staff is due the day after the sit ends.
These people act completely different if they have “real” guests.
Anyone else fond of hypothesizing who wants to join join in with more speculations?
Any advice on how to avoid such homeowners from the beginning? What are typical clues in profiles?
I never apply for sits where the entitled tone transpires, they lack a minimum of flexibility. Pets routine and house tasks are timed to the minute, things like that.
Also, there’s no mention of any interest in the sitter’s wellbeing. It sounds like they’re making the sitter a favour and they should be grateful and ready to accept additional tasks.
I’ve also just had to cancel a sit for this reason, I felt like the bedding wasn’t clean and when I stripped it, it was disgusting, the pillows were literally brown. I’d already slept in it one night and felt so yucky, there was also some stained blanket sticking out from under my bed.. the house smells like cat urine, cat is clearly peeing everywhere.. one of the dogs poos inside every night. There’s more but I wont go into everything, this was my first sit and I didn’t know what to do, I also hate confrontation, so I told her someone was unwell and I had to leave.. I contacted THS however and have sent them photos and explained everything. I just don’t understand why people think this is ok.. I had to stay 2 more nights as she couldnt get anyone to replace me, I ended up buying my own bedding so I could sleep.. horrid situation but I couldnt leave her pets alone..
Hi @LeaBeaLu, welcome to the forum!
I am really sorry that your first experience was so unpleasant. It is not at all representative of the typical sit.
I understand that perhaps you didn’t want to get a bad, retaliatory review for your very first sit. It is a situation nobody wants to go through.
Perhaps you could benefit from reading some threads about how to vet sits to try and avoid these situations. The strategies are not 1000% risk free but they are really helpful.
Threads about reviews are also great.
I don’t like confrontation either but I don’t feel being honest and addressing issues directly is being confrontational, it’s not something I choose to do, it is a situation someone else wants to force on me and they will take advantage of me if I just act like this is natural or within their rights.
It doesn’t matter. Please review honestly.
This is a 1 star
Even if they are nice people, they do not deserve to be on a house sitting platform where there should be an equal exchange.
If your health is being compromised that’s a straight 1.