Cleanliness and other stuff

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
1

Hello,

I have just started a sitting where I’ve been experiencing some issues.

I think that the “Organised” review should be valid for the HOs too like in this case.

Just three days before the sitting I received a message from the HO saying that the dog has behavioural issues when meeting other dogs (he barks excessively), he pulls the lead a lot and gets mental when he sees motorbikes. I was recommended to have treats with me to distract him.

I said no problem and that I always bring treats with me when I go for a walk regardless. I was then answered that they were running out of treats which puzzled me. I replied that every time I do a sitting I find plenty of treats in the house and that I normally never have to enquire about those. According to last information, I should find these in the house. I had to suggest to buy those treats which they eventually did on the departure day.

The dog barks indeed excessively at other dogs, but by attaching the lead to the front chest it helps a lot. We’ve also familiarised after a couple of days and he’s much calmer now. I’d say the pet is the least of the problems now and outside the barking issue, he is a very affectionate and loving doggy.

The day I arrived they still had a lot to prepare for the departure. I was asked if I could deal with their last minute laundry, I had to transfer the wet washing into the drier machine so it was ok and then to load the dishwasher, that it was also ok as I was going to have lunch later and will have to wash my stuff up. However, I had also to deal with a not very clean kitchen, table, kitchen counter, all the bins were completely full. The fridge was particularly dirty, I found a lot of food including many jars of items that were expired, some of these for years!

The rest of the house is clean, there are many things everywhere, but after some arrangement I managed somehow to fit my stuff in. There is still a lot of decluttering needed, but I’m not going down that road.

When we met a couple of weeks ago for going through the pet, the house and other stuff, there was a lot of conversation about the alarm that I was advised to use, but despite I asked to do a test before departure, we didn’t do it. Instead I received long distance instructions which didn’t work, the alarm went off this morning and I had to call the HO and ask her to turn it off. Eventually, apparently there is no need now to use the alarm anymore.

A parcel arrived for them this morning for which I wasn’t notified at all. When I informed them, I was then informed that there’ll be others coming in the next days. Beside the communication matter, more stuff to put in! :grinning_face:

They’ve completed four sittings so far and all with 5 stars. One sitter pointed the clutter matter, but still he gave a 5 star review. The HO replied saying that they were going to improve on that.

In 25 sittings I’ve done so far, I’ve dropped a star only once and not for the same issues. On my very first sitting the house and especially the kitchen was really very dirty, but being the first sitting I decided to just look at the positive sides and to go ahead.

At the moment I feel like dropping a star on Communication and cleanliness, but in some way I feel the same for Hospitality. I wouldn’t leave the kitchen in those conditions if I know that someone is expected to stay in the house.

I think that they didn’t mean to do it. I could see that there was a lot of effort in doing many things on the last minute. The husband was ending renovating the bathroom and the whole family left 45 minute later than their scheduled time and they were possibly going to miss the flight. The father in law said that they always do that, so I guess that it’s mostly about organization skills.

2

Ooof, these HOs did not time their departure right - and it’s their 5th THS sit?!? I have my preparations down to a science now - some of the last of it is VERY last-minute, but that’s by design and it also does not make me late. How embarrassing they asked you to help with their laundry and dishes!!

I know juggling the categories can be complicated - sounds like you have a good idea for it. You can balance out the overall rating depending on how the rest of the sit is.

The parcels are annoying but I wouldn’t bother with that (unless it impacts your timing, like you have to wait for the delivery).

I hope the rest of the sit goes smoothly.

3

I think being expected to take in parcels would be very annoying when not disclosed in the listing. I’ve seen it in listings and have wondered why people would order stuff when they know they’re going to be away. Just seems really odd to me. I would not apply for such a sit and if this was landed on me after arrival I would say that they needed to make alternative arrangements.

4

I am fine with taking in a package or even a few of them unless perhaps it was a large heavy item because I won’t want the strain! To me it’s really not a big chore! But I can understand why some people don’t want to handle some boxes or envelopes would pass on such a sit if the host refuses to get a friend or neighbor to retrieve the mail from the box or the front porch.

5

To me, bringing in parcels is the same as collecting the mail from the mailbox. Not a big deal at all. Sometimes items are ordered and delayed, so the owner does not really know exactly when it will be delivered. Out of the owner’s control.

6

For me it would be the expectation that I would stay in to receive parcels. Even for sitters working remotely it would be an imposition - they couldn’t be expected to break off a call or a meeting because a delivery had arrived.

7

Would you do this sit again? In your review, perhaps state whether or not you would repeat this sit. That says a lot to future potential sitters.

If you would not return to this sit anyway, you will probably never see these people again, so please leave a thorough and honest review. Future potential sitters will thank you. Just state the facts. They sound like a busy family, nice but disorganized. For some sitters, it might be ok? It sounds like you were very helpful during their exit, and some people thrive on helping others!

8

Yes, absolutely. Sitters cannot be expected to be available for any task, all day long. That would be an unreasonable expectation.

9

They always tell you the problems 3 days before the sit starts, don’t they? I have experience about these before, I cancelled. They might though I wouldn’t but I did

10

Thank you for your messages.

Well, regarding the laundry I had no choice or they would have missed the flight for sure. For the dishwasher I just said leave it, if they had launched the program I should have then had to wait to let them dry before being able to use it myself.

I was aware of just one delivery which is the dog’s food and is scheduled to arrive on a specific day in August. I wasn’t informed about other orders. I’ve been told that today’s parcel was due to arrive on Saturday, but got delayed. At least this is what they said. However, when I told them about this parcel, I’ve been informed about other ones on the way. Yes, I don’t understand why they make orders when they’re going to be away, for three weeks.

Anyway, now the main dilemma is about all this expired food which I’ve discarded. It is around 20 jars and other food packages which I didn’t count.

I’ve binned them all, but now I have a doubt. Was I supposed to let them know first? Like what am I doing with this? Would have they seen it negatively and thinking about what to write on the review?

Or, now that all has been thrashed, there’s no point for me in saying anything. The review that I’ll leave will be probably be out of the blue for them and they could ask why didn’t you say anything to us? (like there was need to say it) :grinning_face: Maybe they won’t even notice that some of their food has vanished…

To be honest I couldn’t wait a second to get rid of them. Besides the expired food and some was moldy or had malodour, the fridge itself like the shelves are very dirty and I’m cleaning one by one.

I’m doing this just for the space where I’m putting my food. Honestly, I can’t do it all and I don’t think it’s fair. I’ll close an eye in the other parts as much as I can.

Last, there are many plants all around in and out. Most plants inside the greenhouse had an awful amount of dry leaves. I was recommended to water them on the first day I arrived. I think half of the leaves if not more were dry. I wasn’t asked to, but I don’t like seeing animals suffering same for the plants. Besides what’s the point in watering dry plants? I then cleaned them as much as I could and now the poor little things can breath.

Just something more I had to deal with. I hope finally I’ll be able to relax on this sitting :woozy_face:

11

OMG I can only imagine! Since it sounds like you rightly threw away old food and generously cleaned their fridge for them, they will probably be happy! Ugh. Seriously, people. How ridiculous, but this is how some households operate…I wish that I had a crystal ball!

You sound very reasonable and level-headed. Continue to stay calm and carry on. And leave an honest review!!

12

Hi @Mokina :slightly_smiling_face:

I think you’re looking at this very fairly. You’ve acknowledged that the hosts were under pressure, you’ve recognised the positives, and you’ve also separated the dog’s behaviour from the condition of the home.

For me, reviews should reflect the actual experience, not the hosts’ intentions. A rushed departure might explain why the kitchen, bins and fridge weren’t left in a reasonable condition, but it doesn’t change the impact on the sitter. Likewise, if important information about the dog, alarm and incoming parcels only emerged at the last minute, that’s relevant to Communication.

I’d suggest reviewing each category on its own merits and explaining why, with factual examples rather than emotion. Future sitters benefit most from balanced, specific feedback. If you feel Cleanliness and Communication fell short of five stars, it’s perfectly reasonable to reflect that in your ratings while also mentioning the things the hosts did well and that the dog settled nicely once you got to know him.

An honest, balanced review is more helpful than either a glowing review that glosses over issues or an overly harsh one.

:paw_prints::heart:

13

Like others have said, just review however you see fit.

One thing I will say though is that I have no issue with hosts receiving packages in general…it is very simple to just bring them inside. There are lots of reasons they may have something delivered while they are gone.

It is another matter however if these multiple deliveries required you to sit around waiting because they needed a signature or the hosts wanted you to bring them inside as soon as they were delivered.

In my personal opinion, if it is just a matter of bringing in something as I would the mail, I would not find it fair to mark them down for something like that if that is the only issue that would cause you to give the reduced rating in whatever category.

14

You really should make sure you clarify before confirming a sit whether the HO expects you to bring parcels inside. Many believe that is within the normal scope of a housesitter.

If a sitter told me on arrival to make alternative arrangements for bringing parcels inside I would say fine, my alternative arrangements are to cancel the sit and calling our paid sitter in to do the job. So that would leave you finding alternative arrangements for lodging, so best to clarify upfront.

15

Wow, I view a few orders from Amazon not a big deal. Like collecting the mail. But I don’t order items if I’m going to be away.

16

That wouldn’t be a problem for me, I’d simply drive home or have a few days holiday. But I really don’t think it’s reasonable to expect a sitter to be available all day to receive a parcel which may (or may not) arrive at some point. The main issue I think is when this task is sprung on sitters on arrival, not if it is stated in the listing or in discussions prior to the sit because obviously then the sitter can decide whether to apply for/accept the sit or not. There is also a difference I think between ‘receiving’ parcels where they have to be handed over/signed for and simply bringing in a parcel which has been left on the doorstep which I would have no problem with (as long as it wasn’t too heavy!)

17

I don’t think anyone expects a sitter to wait for a parcel. Most are dropped off at the door and can be brought inside whenever you get home.

In either case, please clarify upfront as again most people would expect any reasonable sitter to be able to open a door, bring a package inside, and close a door. 2 minutes at most.

18

Please drop two stars not one star!
The HOs need to take notice and change their ways, and future sitters like us need this information.
Possibly in the same situation I might’ve suggested that I leave until the house is correctly prepared…. if they miss their flight that’s a consequence for them not for me. This is how people learn by suffering consequences of their own making.

19

Agree that bringing in mail is a normal part of housesitting, and yes, sometimes things take longer to arrive than buyers hope/expect. Sitting around waiting for deliveries is a very different matter. Don’t they leave a card if no one is home?
I wouldn’t toss expired food unless it was actually rotten and in the way. It’s their affair to sort out jars of expired stuff. Not our responsibility to make decisions about their food. I had a fridge/pantry of expired stuff on a sit… I did toss the green “ham”(??) but put the rest back after disinfecting the entire fridge.
I would definitely mention the laundry & dishwasher, and perhaps suggest that they weren’t very organized and expected you to finish their pre-trip tidying for them. That seems a bit much. Sitters aren’t paid cleaning people.
You should definitely mention the dog behaviour too, so other sitters are warned. My first thought upon reading that he “barks excessively, pulls the lead a lot and gets mental when he sees motorbikes” is that giving him treats is not so much distracting as rewarding him for the behaviour. The owners are encouraging him to act that way and could maybe benefit from reading Karen Pryor’s “Don’t Shoot the Dog” about training and rewarding desired behaviour.

20

I’m very much with you @ABGM on not throwing out unopened out of date tins and jars. It’s not our business what hosts keep in their cupboards and a lot of tinned goods are still fine to eat way past their ‘best before’ date.