# Dishonest HO listing practices and sitter reviews **URL:** \ **Category:** Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat\ **Created:** [21 May 2026 06:18 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151 "2026-05-21T06:18:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Maggie8K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Maggie8K](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Maggie8K)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 03:08 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/82 "2026-05-26T03:08:10Z")
Have you heard of the expression “no honor among thieves”? Your comment brought that to mind, because people who are complicit can’t realistically expect honesty in return. ---
**Author:** ![Ckone2541](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Ckone2541](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Ckone2541)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 03:21 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/83 "2026-05-26T03:21:55Z")
If she is telling you you agreed to not mention a roommate in a review and you didn’t, that is very gaslighty. Report. Report. Report. The no 3rd party thing is to protect sitters from things like altercations, sexual harassment, etc. Accepting those conditions as a hushed quid pro quo hurts sitters. I’m glad you were honest. ---
**Author:** ![lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/0ea827/32.png) [@lotus](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/lotus)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 06:07 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/84 "2026-05-26T06:07:34Z")
> [@Maggie8K](#): > > This is you complaining. Not about the _third party_. And really, it was just me trying to explain the situation thoroughly so there wouldn’t be endless follow-up posts about what exactly happened or who knew what when. But I guess there will always be people skim, read selectively, misunderstand, or just post what they think sounds good regardless of whether it actually engages with issues at hand! ---
**Author:** ![lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/0ea827/32.png) [@lotus](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/lotus)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 06:07 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/85 "2026-05-26T06:07:52Z")
One of my favorite “client” dogs bites if you approach her wrong. Otherwise she’s great, owners are great, etc. Really don’t understand what all the fuss is about. ---
**Author:** ![lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/0ea827/32.png) [@lotus](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/lotus)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 06:08 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/86 "2026-05-26T06:08:27Z")
Sure, but if you can’t trust the reviews then THS loses a lot of its value. I don’t want to book a sit or a sitter with rave reviews if they might all be fake. Since the blind reviews started I didn’t think there was any reason for inaccurate reviews but it still seems to be a problem, and for me, that’s a bigger problem than a HO trying to use the app beyond its approved scope. ---
**Author:** ![lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/0ea827/32.png) [@lotus](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/lotus)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 06:09 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/87 "2026-05-26T06:09:28Z")
Thanks for you input. I could definitely use better communication skills, but you might as well ask me to run a 3 minute mile 😅 I’m just an anxious, scatter-brained mess when it comes to real-time conversations. I’ve seen enough profiles and reviews mentioning things out of line with the T&Cs that it honestly didn’t occur to me that she would want me to omit the roommate. Live and learn. Everything I knew and agreed to upfront I was ok with and I didn’t rate her down because of it. I did give her overall a five star review, I just took off a star for accuracy of listing because it didn’t mention the tenant (who was sprung on me at arrival, though not against T&Cs) or the roommate (who I did know about, but did not realize was being so intentionally hidden on the app). ---
**Author:** ![lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/0ea827/32.png) [@lotus](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/lotus)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 06:13 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/88 "2026-05-26T06:13:50Z")
I had an airbnb host tell me that they will get removed if they can’t keep their rating above 4.5 stars or something. She knew full well her offered room wasn’t anywhere near a five star stay, but it was cheap in an expensive area with few accommodations. Under that model, you have to give stars based on whether you get exactly what you expect or else lose a lot of listings that are decent, convenient places stay, but not particularly nice. I agree there doesn’t seem much interest by THS or even its members to change the review system, but if you’ve come across a better one I’m curious how it works. ---
**Author:** ![Maerad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Maerad](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Maerad)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 07:43 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/89 "2026-05-26T07:43:29Z")
I really wish THS would get rid of the ‘5 star’ system, as it is pretty useless. Apart from the fact it obviously is a bone of contention if either sitter or pet parent dares to drop a star or more, many things are subjective. I’ve given a 5 star for cleanliness for houses which are show-room pristine but also ones which are lived in by families with several pets, which were as clean as I’d expect in the situation. Actually I prefer the latter as the HOs are less likely to worry if I leave a fingerprint on a glass surface lol One sit, the house was half way through being remodelled, plans had gone awry, but the owner messaged me to explain and gave me the chance to opt out. I still went and had a great time. I told her as long as I had a bed a bathroom and the ability to boil a kettle and heat food I was ok. It was a great sit, fantastic location and lovely dogs. Same with communication - some folk want daily photos and update, others just want to get on with the holiday and leave you to it unless something goes wrong. I sit for folk who go on cruises and can be in time zones many hours in front of, or behind me which can make things a tad difficult. So, I ignore the stars totally. What IS important is the text - the way the review is written. OK THS could give pointers of things to mention. for those who are new. It’s not just what IS written though, it’s the tone of it and most importantly what ISN’T said. I read between the lines over as many reviews as are available. This is FAR more useful and can be more nuanced, gentle and considerate, so as not to cause offence. In any case, if something were amiss, I’d message the HO whilst in situ or make a polite suggestion in person on their return. Of course, I’d expect the same from the HO. So, if anyone from THS is reading these posts, please could we ditch the 5 star system in favour of the written review? ---
**Author:** ![anon52083843](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@anon52083843](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon52083843)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 07:55 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/90 "2026-05-26T07:55:52Z")
One unintended consequence of a review system based purely on text is that some will write content with no real value e.g. the dogs were easy to look after and we had a lovely time. How do you make hosts and sitters write a review that includes categories such as communication? I don’t think it’s possible and the star system may be the least worst option. Do you have any ideas or suggestions for how written reviews might be made to work? ---
**Author:** ![BonnyinBrighton](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/bonnyinbrighton/32/30452_2.png) [@BonnyinBrighton](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/BonnyinBrighton)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 07:55 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/91 "2026-05-26T07:55:56Z")
My 5\* rating isn’t necessarily your 5\* rating…. that’s the problem right there. Sitters aren’t dishonest they simply have variable standards. If I give 5\* for cleanliness, then that home is spotless….. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie8K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Maggie8K](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Maggie8K)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 08:05 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/92 "2026-05-26T08:05:28Z")
> [@Maerad](#): > > I sit for folk who go on cruises and can be in time zones many hours in front of, or behind me which can make things a tad difficult. I’ve sat for folks on cruises, in different time zones, on sailing boats, etc. Hasn’t mattered, as far as my updates — I tell hosts I’ll update them every morning my time and they’ll get those messages and photos when they get them. That’s worked fine even when hosts haven’t known when they’d be in range of satellite signals. I’m not about to adjust my update times according to their travels or time zones. ---
**Author:** ![Maerad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Maerad](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Maerad)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 08:06 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/93 "2026-05-26T08:06:25Z")
Maybe instead of the star rating have a box for each category that has to be filled in with text? A meaningless comment is no help with or without the 5 stars that we all now take with a pinch of salt. ---
**Author:** ![anon30676025](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c5a1d2/32.png) [@anon30676025](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon30676025)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 08:52 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/94 "2026-05-26T08:52:46Z")
> [@anon52083843](#): > > One unintended consequence of a review system based purely on text is that some will write content with no real value e.g. the dogs were easy to look after and we had a lovely time. The review is saying it was a wonderful sit and the dogs weren’t any problem. That’s valuable. ---
**Author:** ![anon30676025](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c5a1d2/32.png) [@anon30676025](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon30676025)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 08:53 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/95 "2026-05-26T08:53:44Z")
> [@Maerad](#): > > So, if anyone from THS is reading these posts, please could we ditch the 5 star system in favour of the written review? I LoL’d. We’re going to put an astronaut on Mars before that happens. ---
**Author:** ![anon52083843](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@anon52083843](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon52083843)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 08:54 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/96 "2026-05-26T08:54:29Z")
That would be nice, but getting members to complete those boxes might be difficult! ---
**Author:** ![anon52083843](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@anon52083843](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon52083843)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 08:58 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/97 "2026-05-26T08:58:05Z")
True, what I should have said was that’s all that gets written i.e. they missed out that the house was a filthy hovel, the heating went off during a cold snap and the HO didn’t respond to any messages.🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Maerad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Maerad](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Maerad)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 09:55 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/98 "2026-05-26T09:55:31Z")
But as they did NOT say it was a clean and comfortable home and did NOT mention excellent communication, this is where reading between the lines and reading lots of reviews comes in. A bit of detective work on our part. ---
**Author:** ![DieFledermaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@DieFledermaus](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/DieFledermaus)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 13:28 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/99 "2026-05-26T13:28:08Z")
Actually, the expression is “There’s honour among thieves”. I won’t insult you by trying to spell out what it means. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie8K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Maggie8K](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Maggie8K)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 13:34 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/100 "2026-05-26T13:34:24Z")
![IMG1748](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/trustedhousesitters/original/3X/1/9/19c318a09580e697507a505155acd4bb25ef8fa1.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![DMcat](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/dmcat/32/5089_2.png) [@DMcat](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/DMcat)\ **Post date:** [26 May 2026 14:28 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151/101 "2026-05-26T14:28:28Z")
You absolutely 100% did the right thing! The HO is trying to deceive THS about her eligibility as a homeowner. As someone with a roommate she’s ineligible. Thank you for doing the right thing. [Previous page](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151.md?page=4) [Next page](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/dishonest-ho-listing-practices-and-sitter-reviews/77151.md?page=6)