We got to our sit last night and there was poop all over the kitchen, the house reeks of dog smell (there are three doggies here,which we knew, but it is unbearable), they leave the back door wide open for the dogs to go potty on the patio during the day, so flies and bugs are swarming all over the kitchen, the couch is filled with pet fur and dirt and you can’t sit on it, there is a room filled to the brim like a hoarders house that has bedding with dog poop on them, the list goes on. Beyond that, the dogs are wild wont listen at all, snap at you, one peed on my foot this morning…we just don’t feel safe here BUT we can’t afford a hotel for the rest of the week because it’s so expensive where we are.
The homeowner is so very nice, but she’s gone on vacation and just keeps saying “Sorry”.
Welcome to the forum @denellostravel sorry that these conditions have brought you here.
Take photos of everything as evidence/ proof of the conditions . Screenshots of the listing and welcome guide - where (I assume )these pet behaviours were not disclosed
I don’t think that leaving the home in this state for you as her guests is “so very nice “ However, if you have a good rapport with the owner state firmly that you you don’t want to involve THS initially but you can’t stay a day longer unless the house has a deep clean , ( send photos of areas that need cleaning ) request that she arranges (and pays) for cleaners to do this immediately or that either she returns home immediately or makes arrangements for alternative care of her dogs as you can’t stay living in the house in these unsanitary conditions and you will be leaving in 24 hours.
Unless you are a Premium member, you will need your own “Plan B “ for alternative accommodation for the week or to return home . If you want to apply for an alternative sit for these dates you will first need to contact member services to cancel this sit .
Did you know that can speak to member services for advice on the Urgent Support phone line which is available 24/7 ? The number shown on your dashboard.
This recent thread about a similar situation is worth reading
In this case THS supported the sitter’s decision to leave and did not expect them to stay in unsanitary conditions . However they have not removed the homeowners negative review of the sitter.
You may also decide to raise a member dispute to protect future sitters .
Hello @denellostravel
You have been given good advice & I would urge you to follow it.
I have never had such a sit so wonder if you had a proper look at the photos, if you read any previous reviews, received the Welcome Guide in advance of the sit and, if so, if it was honest. Also, did you have a video call with the owner? If so, were you able to get a good look at the home & its condition? It sounds like this is the way the owner lives so she probably doesn’t notice the issues.
This sounds like a horrible situation, and not something that any sitter should have to deal with. Was the homeowner there for the handover? I realise that every situation is different, and sometimes sitters may be left with limited alternative options due to finances, but if the home owner had been there to show me around and conditions were as you’ve described, I honestly don’t think I would have stayed. Yes, that would have ruined her holiday plans, and yes she would probably open a dispute via THS, but nobody should feel obliged to give their time caring for a stranger’s pets in unsanitary conditions just because they’ve said they will. The dogs may not be house-trained, and the home owner may be ok with living like that, but it would have been nice to at least make the effort to start off with a clean house. There are two sides to a THS exchange, and both need to be upheld to a decent standard for it to be fair.
@Silversitters give excellent advice. Make sure you document everything, including screenshotting all relevant on your TH-account, as you might be blocked if the owner raises a member dispute. Contact memberservices. If you get your sit cancelled you will be able to apply for something else for your dates.
I am very sorry for you. Hope the good advice already given will help you.
When you decide to leave the housesit, you could try a couch surfing group, or holiday for help group on FB.
(I don’t know in which area/ country you are, but they have them f.e. in Germany, France and Spain)
Just very curious:
Is this a new homeowner?
Or did (s)he already had good reviews?
Thank you @Silversitters all of this is so helpful! We contacted her today to start all this and she feels horrible and is getting on someone coming to clean. We spent all day cleaning yesterday….
Hi THS community…you’re amazing. Thank you! So I have done as you say, but we are feeling trapped because we can’t afford to stay in Dublin this time of year and our flight doesn’t leave until Saturday. The average hotel here is $1600 for the week! Anyway, we cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and are having a groomer come clean them because they have diarrea crusted onto their behinds. We have opened windows and aired things out. We are going to make lemonade out of these rotten lemons….
She had one other review that was 5 stars (HOW), we did a video chat, but not a tour! I am learning the hard way on that one. She had already left by the time we arrived, so she did not meet us. Blahhhhhh. I am learning a hard lesson, but I feel so much better with your support/advice.
That sounds horrendous. Please leave an honest review to spare future sitters from this experience.
I know how expensive Dublin hotels can be. Maybe you can find a better deal a little further out of the city. Also, I see a sit available in Limerick for the rest of the week, if you wanted to try a different location.
