That’s exactly what I thought when I started sitting. I really felt I got the best end of the deal. As I gained more experience and started reading the forum I now see sitting as an equal exchange and I only choose sits that I really think I can enjoy and, more importantly, HOs I feel I can trust and that they trust me. I don’t need full, blind trust, as they don’t know me and I fully understand them taking their precautions.
It’s true that property wise HOs take significant additional risks but, on the personal side, sitters are more vulnerable. We can’t know if people who have access to the home are going to turn up, the use of cameras and all sorts of recording devices are becoming really common.
I do prefer HOs to lock their valuables. I don’t need that kind of proof of trust, I will never know if I have access to them because l never try to open doors or drawers other than the ones giving me access to my stuff and the pets’ and I don’t want to be held accountable for misplaced items or property that other people can access too. I’d rather not have access at all.
Regarding information, I don’t mind sharing lots of information about myself but I prefer it to be in a casual, conversational exchange or if it’s something more formal, I would rather have it offered as an exchange.
I have had a couple of situations where it would have been helpful to have that information:
The police rang my bell when I was sitting in a home in Australia, it’s was a rather awkward situation, trying to explain I knew nothing about the owners.
I was sitting in a house that was permanently unlocked. There were so many strange things that I even thought the “owner” might be squatting. I then remembered the situation with the police and thought thanks God I am in my own country!
They walk in, you physically assault them, it sure is much more hassle to get your personal data that to have a photo of your ID on file. It is possible in most cases (what if you listed a fake house? Promised to pick them up from the train stations instead of giving an exact address/gave a false address?) After being assaulted a human is not usually at their best, what comes to choices and actions. They might not want to make a court case because of numerous of reasons, and addition hassle about the identity of the assaulter will hold them back even more. I would say no host joins THS in order to assault sitters. However, if one has background in assaults, they have strong motivations to hide their identity. THS makes this very easy and possible. So for the same reasons you want a copy of ID, you should automatically offer yours.
The same goes for having an indoor security camera and filming the sitter: the first thought sitter has in that situation is not “let me dig out information about them”, and even if it is, the second is “I better not do anything that could result in a counter lawsuit”.
You think that having non-consenting access to something (your private data) means that a sitter will for sure also choose to access it if they want to, which is false assumption. The vast majority of sitters respect boundaries. You thinking that we dont explains both, why you want a copy of an ID, and why people are reluctant to give it to you.
I’ve just had a series of emails from my elderly Uncle who is nearly 90 asking me what I did with the step ladder in his flat, and did I take it home with me after my last THS local sit? As I fly home from Jersey (Channel Islands) after visiting/sitting nearby that would be tricky! Meanwhile the mystery of the missing step ladder now involves the cleaner, the carers, the various neighbours who pop in, and the caretaker and balcony window cleaner. We’re ALL under suspicion, it’s a HUGE Case to solve alongside the ‘still missing’ Christmas automaton Saxophone playing gnome….
Just seen THS latest ad on Facebook. They’re saying that sitters have rigorous ID and background checks, hmmm, AND there’s a global network of vetted pet parents! Are pet parents being vetted now? That’s a new one on me.
applaud your diligence. you clearly have some evidence and have tried to reasonably engage with THS staff
encourage further engagement. note @MarkB related post
encourage read relevant sections terms of service (url below). appreciate very few people read small print. multiple references to ‘home and contents plan’ insurance coverage but this (like other benefits) may apply only to some membership tiers. fyi, we had to read THS small print two years ago when two pet parents cancelled sits at last minute.
if you deem appropriate, raise THS Member Dispute. This is the formal investigation protocol to which you refer.
OP - I am truly sorry this happened to you, and not trying to make light of your experience with what I’m about to say.
But it’s occurred to me that if you asked me what the most expensive thing in my home is, it would be my dog! Unfortunately I cannot lock her away for a sit…sooooo….
They’re sitting for you for free in exchange for free accommodation. If you believe paying someone removes risk & changes behaviour then you shouldn’t be on THS at all! The poor behaviour of the occasional sitter (or host) on this platform is not a widespread reflection of the community as a whole. Sweeping generalisations about sitter behaviour are both unhelpful and untrue yet you keep posting about them. You’re clearly choosing badly if it’s a repeat pattern and that is the issue. #strategyrethink
I agree that the background checks are not in depth ones thus not really a good gauge of the HO nor Sitter. when I used to sell real estate, we did a much more comprehensive background check on tenants that we were renting to to ensure that they truly had clean backgrounds.
I agree that the reviews are important. That being said, some people speak with few words and other others with many. I do wish that people would be more in depth with their reviews, making it easier for us to make an informed decision after reading them.
I had a similar experience from the opposite side of the fence and wished there was a way that “troubling” HOs and sitters, both, could be recorded. Other people had been in the HO’s home, as well as I, but she felt that the missing items were likely my doing. I am creating my own list of information and requests to share with HOs, and I will request that they put away anything of significant value. That said, it’s pretty hard to do in most cases. And I’d never had any issues with homeowners before, so perhaps it’s overkill to request people put things away because of one tricky client. It really is an act of trust on all parts.
