I’ve got to bring this subject up again because this has happened twice in the last 6 weeks. How can people be so dirty and think it’s okay to invite someone in?
It’s hard to leave a review for someone no matter how nice they seem when you have to clean the house, silverware, kitchen, floors, toilet for days just so you can feel comfortable. What have others done? I want to say something, but the people involved are friendly and seemingly oblivious. But it’s dirty enough to say something. Wisdom requested! Thanks!
I recently started Googling “a nicer way to say_______.” Here are two suggestions AI came up with:
“The hosts were incredibly welcoming, friendly, and communicative throughout our stay. However, the property required a significant amount of deep cleaning upon arrival—specifically the kitchen, floors, and bathroom—before we felt comfortable. With a bit more attention to cleanliness, this would be a perfect stay.”
“While the hosts are lovely and wonderful to interact with, the cleanliness of the home did not meet standard expectations. We had to spend considerable time cleaning the silverware, kitchen, and bathroom facilities ourselves. Hopefully, this can be addressed for future guests."
They are not very “nice” if they did not clean the house prior to their departure. Period. And you are supposed to leave it clean? Double standard. That is a tough one. Even if people like to live that way, they should clean (or have it cleaned) prior to sitter’s arrival.
I don’t like to clean. I spent a lot of years cleaning a very large house so I’m kinda done. I now clean less than I probably “should”. But it’s my home and I clean what’s important to me. I always clean extra before guests are coming, even if just for dinner. I definitely don’t sit to do someone else’s deep clean. Starting to feel like a minefield out there.
But I make sure when leaving a sit we have cleaned up after ourselves, duh that is just reasonable in case anyone has doubts about me
Yup. I figure, whatever mess you made while sitting, then you clean that and what mess the pets made during your care. I’m not cleaning a mess anyone made before I got there, or any rooms I didn’t use.
@LFM, really sorry to hear that you’ve experienced two recent dirty experiences.
In short, if it’s dirty enough then you should make a brief, objective statement in your review. Unless you expect to return to the ‘dirty’ pet parents then complete the housesit, leave a simple review, and move forwards positively. In next video calls, ask pet parent to show you property on video. If challenged, state honest response that two recent housesits were not clean. If, despite your reasonable request, a future pet declines then your withdraw and apply for other listings. Plenty great listings out there.
We’ve experienced 2-3 housesits (of 70+) that we frankly would describe as dirty. We perceive it as a difficult topic. Standards of cleanliness vary materially. Related THS Terms of Service are [probably pragmatically] unspecific. Current THS enforcement is probably limited to the review process.
On a practical level, in one of our dirty housesits then we quickly advised pet parents that we would limit our property use to specific rooms and not enter other rooms (mind boggles at some stuff). We cleaned ‘used’ rooms at start of sit. We neither entered nor cleaned ‘not used’ dirty rooms.
I agree with both sides. When someone has all your details and you’re going to write something potentially not favourable then it’s a worry. But absolutely, the review system is pointless unless you use it properly. I wish you could do video calls through the app. That would help all round.
I rejected a sitter after offering because they ghosted me a bit and then when they did come back they said they were wanting to have some time to review dates because they wanted to check they could do the dates. I did ask why they applied if they weren’t sure they could do the dates and they went off. I think you’ve got to be careful sometimes. Just made me thoughtful is all.
We send a Zoom link for the initial video chats and all other messages are through the platform, pre-confirmation. I do send WhatsApp or phone number to confirmed sitter but really keep any check-in on the platform until we get close to the sit, then switch over to WhatsApp or text for the duration of a sit. I haven’t had any wierdos but really no one needs my direct contact information unless it’s a confirmed sit.
these are perfect reviews - totally acceptable - I love Gemini AI for that reason it creates the most amazing letters. As well, by pointing out the FACTS about the property and making sure you give a 1-2 star rating on cleanliness then potential future sitters will see that as a heads up and rightly so. BTW were the pictures of the property inside showing a pristine interior? Just curious… when I look at pet sits with cats if I see pictures of cats on kitchen counters I won’t even apply.
No matter how difficult it is to write anything negative, if it’s the truth I write it exactly as I experienced it. I’ve never gone into a house that I felt was disgusting, but if I do, I will write an appropriate review.
.