A very recent review is from a new HO who hadn’t yet got a lockbox, so I met her a my local train station to pick up the keys. She mentioned this in the review and I’m wondering whether they keep seeing this and thinking I’ll come to their house. I did this as a one off as she was still learning the ropes and I wanted to be helpful.
Even if that’s it, meeting to pick up the keys to start the sit is drastically different from meeting in advance of the sit. Maybe craft a response to her review to curtail that impression if you think that’s what’s causing it?
1 Like
I’ve added this in the about me section of my profile 
“Unfortunately due to a busy work schedule and being in varying locations I am unable to meet in person as part of the application process.”
Is this suitable?
2 Likes
Just had another new HO cancel our planned call a minute before because they’d changed their mind! I am so close to cancelling my membership.
4 Likes
I think that’s reasonable to add. I’m sorry you’re having such flaky HOs. I’ve never experienced anything to the degree that you’re getting. I know you’re in a different situation due to moving but how flexible are you with location? I think you’re targeting London but maybe less popular destinations may have less flaky HOs?
2 Likes
Me either. I’ve had a flux in HO’s behaviour, but this streak is particularly bad.
I can be about 25 miles out of the city so I’ve widened the search a bit. The most recent one was London suburbs. It’s just the cost of fuel getting to these places for sits that are only 5 days etc, it’s a lot.
Yeah, short term sits have a poor ROI. 
It makes me think THS should add an option where the HO can volunteer to help with reasonable travel expenses. I see sits with no applications that I’d consider, if I didn’t have to fork out for this cost.
They’ll never do it because one of their marketing points is “it’s a free service!”
I hope things look up for you, it’s got to be super annoying!
1 Like
thank you! xx
So sorry you are having such bad luck with home owners. You may have already considered this, but there are excellent transport links to central London from Oxford, Surrey, and Reading (where I used to live and travelled to London fairly often), so that might widen your search further if it’s possible.
2 Likes
I try to avoid going too far out because it’s isolating being so far from anyone you know, but yes I sometimes have a look - still not finding stuff.
Ironically after all these flaky Hos and rejections the sit i just left said they’d love to have me back, same as the last one. So nice to know I’m a good sitter. But losing faith in THS.
4 Likes
I don’t know your particular situation but being far from people you know is part and parcel of house sitting for many of us. It needn’t be isolating but there is also much to do in that part of the UK (Meetup groups etc.) if you are someone who needs a lot of social interaction.
It seems that decent HOs and sitters have been diluted somewhat by entitled members on either side, based on some of these threads. I hope you find what you’re looking for!
@RR12345 if you see a sit in the right location but dates are wrong (eg for 2025 when you need something earlier) - read the listing . There are several hosts who say contact us if you are free for other dates .
We have filled gaps this way . We contact them and say we are available xx( dates ) sometimes hosts plan a trip around a sitter’s availability.
You can only contact them when they have dates listed .
Hope this tip helps . It’s worked for us on occasion.
4 Likes
5th attempt to get a sit…
HO took 3 days to reply then asked if we could have a call at 9.30 the following day. I say yes, is that AM or PM? It’s now the following day and no response.
I’m flabbergasted at how little some HO’s value sitters time.
2 Likes
We have had this experience , the host suggested a video call-we said we were available and provided a selection of times that day and over the next few days . We didn’t hear back for a month at which point we withdrew our application.
@RR12345 have you given them your phone number in your reply so that they can call you - or have they provided their number ?
1 Like
I think people like that behave that way in general, not just with sitting. Because they’re inconsiderate or oblivious naturally. It’s better for you to know that about them sooner than later.
1 Like
No I was waiting for a reply. I had a look at their profile on the app and noticed they’d used a fair few sitters and about 50% hadn’t left a review. I took that as a red flag, coupled with my apprehension around their communication style and decided to withdraw, stating I was sadly no longer available.
2 Likes
Also, there weren’t really any pictures of the house :-/
The pets looked lovely, the location was good, and the description seemed fine - but in hindsight something about that felt a bit off. Like it’s more about what’s in it for them.
5 Likes
Sounds like you just got off the hook easy. 
1 Like