Hello, it’s my first time want to share one unpleasant experience about sitting I had recently, most of sitting experience I had was great.
I agree to sit a two cats in a flat. I sent quite a few photos to the cats parents each day when the sitting starts, on the 5th day, I was sick, so rested whole day. At night, I checked message from the host, and then sent her photos of the cats. It’s almost the same the next day. Then, the host sent me messages about she didn’t want to chase me photos and it’s the second time(yesterday and today). I told her I’m not feeling well, and express my discomfort by her demanding attitude. I explained to her she needed to consider sitters scheduled and conditions as well. Anyway, the argument leads to the cat parent asked me to leave her flat. I called the THS, and they said if a host asked sitter to leave, the sitter needs to leave because it’s their home. My question is what if the host is controlling and ending the sitting because of herself, the sitter hasn’t done things wrong only sent her photos a bit late in the day after she asked?! I left the house the next day, and I felt injust during this issue. The sitter’s right was not protected and I’m disappointed with the how the THS mediating this issue.
For whatever reason the Host asks you to leave, EVEN if it feels unfair THS needs to support what the Host wants.
However you have 3 things you can do
Write an honest Review.
Reply with facts to any Review the Host writes.
Open a Member dispute formally so that THS investigates.
Screenshot ALL WhatsApp communications as evidence.
I will make one advisory comment though and it’s about patterns of behaviour that send red flag signals. If a sitter suddenly stops sending photos when they were previously prolific, then yes a Host will become worried and anxious and then maybe even angry. If a sitter is so unwell that they can’t send a photo then the Host might speculate and imagine that the sitter is also too unwell to feed the cats or do basic care…. so in the future if you’re unwell let the Host know why the photos are minimal that day.
As annoying as it is the host is well within their right to ask you to leave and there isn’t anything THS can do to intervene. Sorry this happened, make sure you cancel the sit and see if you can find a new one to fill the gap as you’re in the UK and there are lots available. #onwardsandupwards
If THS have a record of the sitter making the call about the host asking her to leave then they could do it for her is probably best way round that. #swiftsolution
I asked THS, the staffed said if a sitter canceled, need to notice the host first, both agreed, but if the host cancaled, for what ever reason, the sitter has to leave…
Thanks for your advice. When I was not feeling well, I even got up to feed the cat properly, just because of late sending the photo, was accused of not taking well of her cats, I felt unfair. It’s fine if the host asked me to leave, but she said words like "leave my home by the midday next day, then another sitter will come. It’s not like discussed with me first, it is quite forceful, and unkind way… She also got camera there, I did ask her first to disconnect with the camera, but she asked me to put the camera on for the next sitter (i guess she paid her, not through THS…) It’s more like ethical issue…
@Gy101 Even if it’s unfair, THS can’t force a home owner to allow someone to stay in their home if the HO wants them to leave. They also can’t force a sitter to stay at a sit.
Yes, I agree, but I think it is the way of dealing with the ending. The HO just send me tthose words:(I have contacted the company, I am allowed to cancel the sitting. They have been informed, please leave my flat tomorrow by midday. Another sitter will go after you leave.) That is it. She could have done in a more considerable and respectful way. I didn’t know how the THS told her to finish the ending also.
@gy101 I agree the HO should have handled it in a more respectful manner.
Was the sit shortened or canceled? If it was shortened, you will be able to leave a review and indicate how the HO handled things, if it was cancelled entirely, you won’t.
I hope you have a premium membership so you can get reimbursed for lodging.
No matter the circumstances, the HO has full control of the lodging arrangement. Seems unfair, but how else could it be? One reason why a premium membership gives peace of mind. You never want to rely on it, until you have to.
I hope you feel better and that your next sit is wonderful.
I think there is a lot more to this story that is not being shared. Unless a host has severe emotional problems, she will not ask you to leave for a one day missed photo.
We are, of course, only hearing your side of the story and it sounds as if you argued with the owner which led to her asking you to leave. Not sure why you couldn’t have sent photos if you were feeling ill, it’s not exactly a difficult chore.
An idea for the future would be to take lots of photos initially then send a couple each day.
@Gy101, welcome back to THS Forum.
Seems like you’ve already received some great advice.
There’s some aspects of the OP that seem odd (multiple photos per day to HO; HO urgency on your departure based on failure send photos). Housesitter getting ill and not sending bountiful photos seems an unreasonable justification for immediate ejection. And seeming HO transactional mindset of discarding one housesitter and replacing with another seems against ‘trusted’ culture of THS.
But you note prior positive experiences.
So we encourage that you reflect on any aspects from this experience that you can learn from. Or any topics that you can incorporate into future practices for applications, video calls and housesitting execution. Then take a deep breath and move forwards positively. Onwards.
Kinda of, it is just one night of a few long message between the owner and me. I did send her photo every day, just did it after she asked, just twice. I did feel discomfort for her controlling manner and responded to her as well.
It is ended earlier than original dates. The host didn’t give me too much time, so I felt quite stressful to find a proper place to settle. I understand the host cares about her cats, but as sitter we helped each other, should be treated equally, she should not feeling like a boss for me, if I didn’t do things as she expected, would be fired… I’ also disapointed the THS support team not really SUPPORT.
Thanks. I was lying in bed, could not get up even, and woke up till the night, then received the message from the host chasing photo of the day. I need to mention I plan to send her photo later in the day when I feel better…I will make it clear in the future with host the expectation of photos and my expectations as well…
Again, I brought this topic here is want to express my feelings which I didn’t get support from the THS staff, and I’m not saying I was perfect. There is definately some miscommunication (I could not do it well when I’m unwell ), and how the text is understood by another perons. but I do not like the controlling and not trusting from a host, and those think themselves as a boss/or have more power. This cat HO said sitter here is not for holiday, is for looking after her cat) It’s unfair to say words like this: It’s mutual appreciation of helping each other without money (time banking). I’m going to move on, and enjoy my trip today. Thank you all for your attention to my topic from what evern perspective.
This advice is TERRIBLE if you ask me. It is dishonest and disingenuous. Please, if you can’t be bothered to take 1-2 fresh photos per day (if that is the request and you’ve agreed to), don’t take the sit. If something comes up such as illness or other emergency where you cannot meet the agreed-upon communication plan, sending a message with what’s generally going on would be the next best step.