It’s brought up when we chat with applicants.
I’m worried if a HO can’t find something they would think I took it. Not saying this is your case, just saying
I have left items exactly where I found them, and then being asked via text message “where is that”. Even more scared that host does not ask me, but just writes it in the review. I wonder it THS edits a review in case the host does find the item later…
(Also not claiming that this is the case on OPs situation).
So sorry to hear your experience, I think you do need to get this sorted with THS no matter what, send them the evidence they’ve got it
My mum had a crystal cluster that disappeared, and she thought the moving man had stolen it during a house move. After many years, it turned up again, it had been in the house the whole time. For all those years, that man had been accused of stealing, even though he doesn’t know it, I feel sorry for him. My mum is just disorganised. It’s not even a small item that’s hard to find.
I just wanted to note that I’ve reached out to Darren directly to see if the forum team can support.
Use cameras. Lock things up. I keep all bedrooms and office spaces locked except for a bedroom and bathroom the sitter uses when a THS sitter stays in my home, especially if they are first timers. Trust is earned.
I also lock up my router in our glass cabinet until I fully trust them if the sit is a longer one. Ask me why? I once had a sitter shut it off, which disabled the outdoor cameras, and then she had a party. I had told the sitter before I left on my three month trip that she needed to run it by me before having anyone else in my home. My neighbor, who keeps a close eye on my house while I am away, counted six vehicles.
Be careful who you let in your home and run a background check on them yourself before agreeing to the sit if they are unknown. Do not give them access to everything right away. You can never be too careful. Sorry this happened to you.
What do you mean use cameras?
Just for ease, I’m sharing our Camera and Recording device policy.
In essence;
- External camera’s e.g camera doorbell’s (and similar) must be disclosed
- Internal camera’s must be disclosed and disabled for the duration of the sit
And my reply to you was directed at all the hosts (including all of yours) that foolishly did not verify that who they believed they allowed in their home was actually who they claim to be. Somehow, those who object to sharing who they are (ie, their IDs) conveniently skip over the established fact that THS does NOT require anyone to use their actual name on THS (much less where they live). Any host who knows that fact and does not do their own ID verification begs the question whether they’ve lost their minds. .
Why would anyone want to sit for free for you if you are requiring background checks, In the US we had background checks already from THS. Most of us older folks have lovely homes ourselves and can afford nice hotels. I would feel so uncomfortable in your home. Cameras on the outside facing in I bet. I have never stayed in a house as nice as my 1.3 million dollar dream house I owned in the past and bought with my own money from a business I started. . If a PP acts like we should feel so lucky to be chosen instead of a reciprocal arrangement I withdraw my application.
I think it’s important to point out that the THS background checks are superficial and only done for the benefit of THS, likely imposed as a requirement imposed by their liability insurer. For hosts, they’re entirely useless.
Some HO have posted a lot about having problem sitters yet they don’t seem to put two an two together and realize they may be part of the problem.
Some HO have genuinely had difficult sitters and while that’s hard to overcome - implementing the equivalent of martial law is not helpful in attracting the responsible sitters most HOs seek.
Can you elaborate? I assumed when THS did a background check on me (I’m American) any criminal history would have shown up. I certainly hope this is the case, to prevent people with criminal histories from taking advantage of homeowners.
I am a sitter, and before every sit I share my full name with the homeowner - usually a few weeks before the sit. I just know that I would want to have the full name of any person who will be responsible for my pets and home. We all take a leap of faith when making our mutual exchanges, but I would not be offended if a homeowner were to ask to confirm my ID. It hasn’t happened yet, but honestly I wouldn’t be at all put off by that.
I’ve never been asked for ID, as a sitter, but I wouldn’t mind if I was, as I’ve nothing to hide. There’s no way I would let a total stranger live in my house without knowing at least their full name, and where they come from. They might have all 5 star reviews, but hasn’t everyone? I hope @DarrenB gets his valuable item back, but I’m not very optimistic. Please leave an honest review to warn others about this dishonest sitter.
Same here. I always sign my application with my full name.
Also, I do believe that reviews are really helpful. I mean the wording. Nothing is completely risk free but there are several steps that can help.
I always find it amusing when PP complain about bad sitters and want to implement or want THS to implement extensive security checks but continue to use this FREE service. Get a paid sitter as they may have an insensitive ( their livelihood) to allow an extensive background check, cameras watching them like a nanny cam, etc.
The most disturbing review I ever read here is when I first started on THS. A PP wrote a review that her gun was stolen and blamed the sitter. Went into great detail how it was in a certain hidden place that meant the sitter went through things. This older lady sitter had over 35 reviews. The sitter stayed on the platform denying it. (Good for her) Then you see another post where the PP writes and said she found her gun and apologizes. I had just started here and now wonder why wasn’t the review removed.
That’s another thing for my I don’t list, “no guns in the house thanks very much.”
The problem for me in giving PP access to everything they may want as far as security check is that I don’t get the same for them. They can steal my identity and open credit cards in my name as they may have a bad credit score and I have a good one. Why would I give a stranger information that if asked them for the same information they would deny. There is a leap of faith here on both sides. If you’re not comfortable with this then this type of platform is not for you.