I agree that tolerances vary greatly among us sitters. That is why the ratings are so subjective and you are right, that it is hard to give a really bad review. The worst sit I had was recently and I wanted to be harsher in my review but I felt sorry that the dog wouldn’t get a sitter and I didn’t want them to give up the dog. Then she was harsh because I was not a trainer instead of a house sitter. Even when an HO was harsh due to her own issues, leaving cleaning products out (which she did not me but I just left them there for the duration of the sit.) or criticize me for not taking the garbage bins in (watching the camera) when the garbage truck had not come. Those were my two worst reviews. But I was not as harsh. They were my worst reviews but not terrible.
I grappled with this when rating one sit because the house was not super clean. It was not disgusting either, but giving five stars for cleanliness when it was clear the bathroom hadn’t been cleaned well and there were some greasy pans left in the oven made me ponder what to do. I can’t imagine not only getting off on a trip but having to thoroughly clean the house for a sitter, so I cut people slack on utmost cleanliness. It was a hard decision though because I see plenty of complaints from other sitters in this forum about lack of cleanliness in some cases that just wouldn’t bother me. Ultimately I decided to give five stars across the board (cleanliness was the only category I was indecisive about) because I had no qualms taking a shower when clearly the shower wasn’t cleaned recently, and it wasn’t a big deal to me that some dirty pans hadn’t been cleaned when there were plenty of clean ones to use. I don’t think our standards as sitters should be unreasonable. People who are wealthy enough to pay cleaners to deep clean a house can also afford to hire an overnight sitter, but I love this exchange which makes it more affordable for all of us to travel regardless of our means.
@Treeandcathugger I think you do a disservice to other sitters if you rate 5 for cleanliness when that is not the truth. In my book 5* means super clean. I.e where I don’t feel any need to clean rooms/appliances before use.
“Ultimately I decided to give five stars across the board (cleanliness was the only category I was indecisive about) because I had no qualms taking a shower when clearly the shower wasn’t cleaned recently, and it wasn’t a big deal to me that some dirty pans hadn’t been cleaned when there were plenty of clean ones to use.”
I get that we all have different cleaning standards, and I don’t expect 5* hotel standards, but I do expect the HO to make the effort to clean the basics in their home in (esp kitchen/bathroom/fresh bedsheets etc) before the arrival of their sitter/guest.. It shows respect and a welcoming attitude.
We’ve had a few sits over the years where we felt the need to clean on arrival before being able to settle in properly. I would have prefered a heads up from previous sitters about low cleaning standards so I can avoid applying to such sits.
We aren’t fussy , we often stay in rural sits and older properties where we are not phased to see a cobweb occasionally . We have only once had a sit in a home that wasn’t entirely clean - The bathroom and kitchen were clean .
However, on this sit there were years of accumulated dust in thick velvet curtains , the carpets and lampshades throughout the rest of the home . Including the lampshade that hung above the bed and being low ceilings it dangled just above our heads .
There was much more dust than we could clean during our stay ( the hoover also became blocked in seconds so impossible. )and the curtains and carpets would need a professional cleaning service to get rid of the ingrained dust .
It was summer so we could spend most of the time outside in the garden which was beautiful and had lots of comfortable and relaxing seating areas .
In all other respects the sit , hosts and pets were great and accurately represented in the listing . It was a rural sit in England in an old 15th century property.
For the review we gave five stars for all other aspects but we could not honestly rate cleanliness as a five . It would have been a dis-service to future sitters . Anyone with a dust allergy or asthma sufferer would have had to leave the sit straight away and that situation would also cause a problem for the host. We felt that we would be partly responsible , if we had not brought it to anyone’s attention.
In our opinion there is no point having the categories to rate if people don’t use them to rate accurately and give 5 stars all round no matter what they find on arrival.
It’s not about judging someone’s house keeping standards or lifestyle . The review and rating is to give a fair and honest review for future sitters . The review should inform about anything that negatively impacted the sits ( third parties, dust , anti-social neighbours, traffic noise , dogs that run away ) . An honest review allows future sitters to make an informed choice .
I agree that it is hard to rate cleanliness when it you are dealing with people with less means, both partners could be working, older home, which doesn’t look as clean. But that is why I suggested a rating for the experience of the sit. If I am sitting in a modern, large home with a pool in FL, compared to a small, older, modest furnishings, clean enough home, it is a very different experience. I got feedback “does the listing reflect the sit”, yes. You cannot look inside ovens or fridges, where cleanliness may be lacking. And you could give it a 3. But you feel somewhat sorry for people doing the best they can. They don’t have house cleaners. Like I am on a sit now in Palos Verdes. Spacious, modern home, obviously house cleaner comes. I am walking the puppy along streets where I get a view of the ocean and Redondo Beach/Torrance. I can see the Redondo beach pier in the distance from the kitchen window. That is a whole different experience than the small, modest home that wasn’t the cleanest. Even if it had been spotless, not a great stay. More like extended stay hotel rather than Sonesta suites. Funny, now that I booked sits, there are a lot of last minute great sits in the LA region. I kind of wish I waited. Not for my current sit, but for a few later.