@carpediem16 Thank you for bringing this point to the forum in such a way that is most likely relatable for both sitters and homeowners. The conversation you’ve sparked will certainly help others. Hopefully even the thoughtful answers you’ve already received will help with your decision. Provided you address it respectfully, and don’t resort to feeling pressured to ignore it, you will have done the right thing. Also, the ripple effect of your post is likely to help so many members going forward. Thank you. 
Omitting internal cameras in the listing is huge. Internal cameras are against THS policies and even external cameras must be disclosed. I would dock a star, maybe 2 stars, for this from the"accuracy of listing" category.
Ugh, I feel your pain. I’m always touting honesty in reviews have been furious at prior sitters who obviously omitted ( not the word I used in my private rant) the facts of grimy cabinets, etc… BUT. I’ve not mentioned cleanliness and gone about cleaning the grimy cabinets instead because I became fond of the HO and grateful for the fabulous sits. So. But again, I did give a 4 star overall when the poor old dog ( who died 2 months after my sit) was so messed up that it was 24/7 total care needed…. And explained exactly what the situation was in my review. That sit, BTW, resulted in the most glowing review I’ve ever gotten, and the HO wrote me a sad note when the old dog finally died…no hard feelings, thankfully. What a tough spot, I understand completely. I love the advice above about explaining diplomatically what was not good and sandwiching this with the better parts to soften the blow. And the indirect comments describing spiders and such were perfect…
I noticed a couple of people mentioned being grateful for the sits.
I have never felt grateful as I see it as an equal exchange.
It doesn’t matter to me if the hosts live in a mansion or a flat, for me it is about showing mutual respect.
Gratitude is such a good feeling, and I feel it every single day! It’s good to be alive and I’m lucky for this amazing opportunity to slow travel and step into the lives of others. Not to mention being given the opportunity to love on their treasured pets! So lucky.!
I’ve left 4 stars for cleanliness a few times with a brief note on the problem. I don’t think four stars for cleanliness hurts a homeowner. Cleanliness is not a priority for plenty of sitters. But it is important for those who do care about it. My note on the issue helps other sitters decide if this particular cleanliness issue is a deal breaker for them. Plus, cleanliness is very easy for a homeowner to address. If they feel the less than 5 stars hurts them, they can fix it.
just reduce the cleanliness to 4 and explain in the review why.
Also, the home owners knew they were leaving you with the mess. So they knowingly expected you just to deal with it.
Kind of like with dangerous dogs, dirty homes, hidden cameras. The homeowners are not stupid. They created that environment and expect you just to put up with it. I think that is disrespectful in a way.
I use that mindframe to make sure to word my reviews correctly and fairly.
You can still have gratitude for the experience, even if it is an equal exchange. Gratitude is a skill many people are losing unfortunately, because these days more people are expecting more and more, without actually giving anything in return
I have gratitude for many things but not for the opportunity to stay in someone’s house. They are not doing me a favour.
I am grateful for my own home, family, friends and health and much more.
I have gratitude for many things but not for the opportunity to stay in someone’s house. They are not doing me a favour.
I am grateful for my own home, family, friends and health and much more.
Why do house sitting then? Seems like you have everything well worked out in life, if you are not grateful for the experience why even do it? Maybe I’m misunderstanding you.
Yes, 4/5 stars for cleanliness. I reviewed a sit that way and the HO immediately invited me to another sit! I accepted and found her whole place to be twice as clean. 
Thanks for the feedback and encouragement, everyone.
It’s easy to tell ppl “just put 4 stars” bc I’ve said it. But dang it is hard bc we would be the FIRST in over 2 dozen reviews to do so in ANY category (and there have been other minor issues). Again, I think it’s bc this particular sit is extraordinary in terms of home and location and we really are truly grateful for having this opportunity. I think all the other sitters felt the same way. Sometimes the pros SO outweigh the cons you just dismiss the cons and ignore them bc why…why be that person. 
My husband is of the mind to leave 5 stars across all boards and not mention the fridge or cameras…he feels like we very nearly won the pet-sit lottery - but I feel like a hypocrite if I do this.
in the past I have before left 4 stars for cleanliness without being specific bc it would have been so disheartening to go into detail and it is hard to feel like you’re offending the HO and their housekeeping skills. I feel like it’s “look the place is not pristine, just FYI” when leaving less than 5 and not saying why. In that case (this was a few years ago), the fridge (which were both weird drawers and a separate normal fridge) were PACKED full and gross. The litter in the basement had not been cleaned in IDK how long and stunk to high heaven - the counters had not been wiped down and there was all kinds of dog toys in bits and pieces all over the floor…It’s so hard to feel like you’re criticizing someone’s housekeeping (when we walked into that one I was sure they were not ready for us…but they were! lol) so how to go into detail as to why the 4 stars is also very tough.
This is why I do wish sitters could connect with other sitters “hey, I saw you did this sit, can you tell me why the 4 stars on cleanliness” bc lets face it, some sitters also live that way and would never think anything of it.
You can be grateful and still give constructive feedback.
I mean if you mention all the amazing things you had during the sit and just weave in, the only downside to the whole thing was the fridge was “Nastey” (don’t actually quote me) and then wrap it up with, but besides that it was really lovely, and I am totally grateful for the experience.
Then it’s wrapped up nicely, you weren’t being mean and you actually provided solid feedback so that maybe next time they think about the fridge too. and also it’s a good warning for other sitters.
Either way,
All the besto’s
I think it might be worse than
It seems they actually said
You do you and I will do me.
They are not incompatible. Both sitters and hosts can be grateful to each other. I always exchange gratitude messages with hosts at the end of a sit. I am honest and I think they are too, not just empty politeness.
Team 4 * here.
Yes you are “the one” but not the one you think that you are : You are the one who has the integrity, the sense of responsibility and the strength to name the truth.
As others have noted, a clearly worded review detailing why you dropped a star here lets the HO’s understand why a star was dropped and, in a perfect world, gives them a head’s up so that the next sitter can give them all of the stars.
In the context of an otherwise wonderful review (I’m assuming), it may not be taken as badly as you believe.
Thank you for doing this as it IS hard !
@toreishi is right I think, your integrity counts and that is why you are struggling to give less than 5 stars but clearly it’s warranted.
I have to say due to all the fridge discussions on many threads I’m now in the habit of wiping over my fridge each shopping day, so that’s a good thing 
.
Unless the refrigerator was extremely gross, with rotten food etc. I would still give a 5 star review.