Chatting to another sitter, with x18 sits behind them they told me they didn’t realise that builders/trades people weren’t allowed (Edit: only if pre agreed) during a sit as they’d experienced this quite a few times and had to facilitate works being done.
They are permitted if it is disclosed in the listing and agreed with the sitter ahead of time .
Not thrown on the sitter at the last moment - which could be grounds to cancel the sit. This would not be a good outcome for either the hosts or the sitter .
“A pet parent must ensure that their property is vacant and that no other person will be living in the home apart from the sitters. This includes (and is not limited to) no family members, tenants, or employees.
The pet parent should stipulate the potential for any third parties to be present during a sit by putting that information in their listing.”
https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360001881117-Guest-third-party-policy
Of course if there is an emergency during a sit - like a burst pipe or leak then it would be necessary for trades people to come to the property to fix it .
Aha I didn’t know that it might be agreed ahead of time, that wasn’t clear to me. Thank you.
I don’t think many sitters will apply to a listing that says there will be building work going on for the duration of the sit …
But I have seen listings that explain about ongoing building or landscaping projects so at least the potential sitters know what to expect before they apply .
Something that’s not often clear is if the neighbours are having major works done; we have neighbours nearby who’ve moved out for 9 mths due to the house on the other side of theirs being knocked down and built as a small block of flats! They have rented it out…. 
Has everyone here on this forum read all the terms and conditions before they joined THS? Somehow, I strongly doubt that. 
Also THS wants more customers. They use colorful language to hide or misrepresent a lot of things, even in the T&C. “International traveling” says THS, “btw no house sitting without a right/permit to work in the country” says a lot of laws - THS has a strong incentive to let people get away with a lot of things, as that brings them more money.
Do host have to agree to the terms and conditions before posting a listing?
They do, but I bet most just tick the box without reading anything 
Hi everyone!
I think this thread might have run its course now - I’m going to close it to new replies.
If OP does want to open it again, they can let me know via Direct Message. 
Jenny
Hi everyone,
@julianrose has asked me to reopen this topic, so I’m just confirming I’ve done that.
Jenny
I’m glad to hear that @julianrose has reconsidered and realized they’ve made a few mistakes and is seriously considering the well intended advice of the forum members.
There are a few lessons to be learned here, mainly that when a person joins a site that involves a lot of responsibility and trust, they need to fully read and understand the rules of the platform to avoid misunderstandings, and when things don’t work out so well, to not be so quick to blame others.
I have a short sit end of March, in Toronto, where there is a tenant on the third floor but uses the kitchen. It fills a few days, I need to take care of doctor stuff and plan on moving into an apt in Apr, so I took it. But it gives me a little unease. The dog does not have to be walked. A dog walker comes since it is very reactive and the HO doesn’t want me walking it. So it is very easy, in the neighborhood that works for me. But sharing the kitchen is a little unsettling. But it is no different that when I stay with my college roommate in the same neighborhood, actually, probably better as I am not a guest. It is Korean woman on a work visa who is out most of the time working. Anyway, eyes wide open going in. I have had amazing sits. I am lying by the pool on an easy sit in Scottsdale for 3 weeks now. So 5 days sharing a kitchen while I get my knee xrayed etc is not a big deal.
Please come back and let us know how you structured your review… after you’ve done this sit. Please include that you shared kitchen with a lodger, so that other sitters have no surprises.
Sounds very much like a sit I have previously applied to. I cancelled my application after the videochat and reported to THS. Did the HO mention anything about how she had to pay hundreds of dollars for another dog’s vet bills after her dog attacked it? I recall that the lodger had a boyfriend who sometimes visited overnight too. DM me the listing if you want confirmation.
absolutely.
in Toronto?
Yep, Toronto