Everyone has different ideas of cleanliness. She had a previous sitter that did not seem to have an issue with cleanliness but had an issue dealing with the dog. I am very good with dogs, so can handle strong, larger dogs. So we all have different issues. I like things very clean. I like room in the freezer and fridge.
An interesting interpretation. The review from the first sitter (you were only the second) merely described the dog as ‘mostly well behaved’ which syncs with how the HO described the dog in the listing (sometimes too rough with other dogs, poor recall so did not recommend dog parks or letting him off leash). I still wonder what the deficits were for communication and accuracy of listing and whether the cleanliness matter was just that she had lots of stuff in a modestly sized apartment. It was nice that you mentioned that it was conveniently located to public transit though.
It’s tough, we know. We have sat for many sits that may not have met our own standards of cleanliness but understand that people are different. We have had to clean areas of places at the beginning of our sits but we may have higher standards than others so we don’t put too much energy into it. We always leave homes cleaner than we arrived as we want the good reviews but we probably wouldn’t return if invited. We know when we are appreciated and when we are considered “the help”.
Damn I was just in this situation and I couldn’t give them less than 5 stars because if I am honest I would totally return. But the truth is I arrived to an unmopped floor, many children’s hand prints on mirrors and an oil stain on my bedding. They swear it was clean. Also, their dog was barky, which I mention in the review politely as not being suited to sitters who work from home but I absolutely fell in love with the puppy.
I really wish THS would create a digital tick-off process before the sit starts that requires owners to actually tick it off before the sit begins. Then the standards for the sit should be confirmed before we even arrive 
That would mean they actually earn their fees lol
Over the years, my perspective on this has changed.
I always give 5 stars when homeowners communicate openly and are willing to work together to find solutions when unexpected situations arise. With pets and a home, there are always things that come up.
I don’t expect perfection. I assume we’re all human, not robots. There’s a big difference between finding a small piece of lettuce in the sink and opening the fridge to find mould growing inside. One is simply part of everyday life; the other points to a more significant issue.
For each category, I only give a lower rating if something is genuinely and significantly below expectations, not simply because it wasn’t perfect.
Sometimes a situation isn’t ideal because of circumstances beyond anyone’s control. When that’s the case, I mention that too. For me, that’s the best way to be honest, respectful and human at the same time.
That sounds like less than 4 stars earned!
Welp, I did it. It was not easy and my husband disagreed with me saying anything.
To be honest, I should have given 4* for communication (date confirmed changed last minute and we had a flight and hotel booked a day ahead to visit the city - we barely canceled the hotel in time to avoid being charged) and 4 for accuracy of listing (cameras not listed) as well as for cleanliness but couldn’t bring myself to do it bc at the end of the day, it will be one of our most memorable 4 star sits bc of the home and location. I kinda wish there are half stars. Would be less painful.
I listed all the positives (and there were plenty) sandwhiched with just a brief comment that the fridge and drawers could use some sorting and cleaning. My husband did not want to mention it (he is the one who cleaned the fridge) - so he’s one of those who would not be honest. I said it wasn’t fair to all the homes where the kitchen/fridge was clearly meticulously cleaned and that I have to also judge on how I would leave it for others.
But I get it. It is hard to truly be honest in that kind of detail. Feels critical and unfriendly.
Yes I found it hard as well. There were issues which I addressed in the review, but on the whole the sit was fine.
I made allowances (rightly or wrongly), the facilities were great and the owner was already away on her break with a young child leaving the husband and teenage daughter to greet us. I thought 4* was fair.
@carpediem16 Did you mention the indoor cameras as, to me, that was more serious than the state of the fridge?
I mentioned it in my review, yes, but did not dock stars for accuracy of listing. They have been members since before that was required to be posted in the listing. Sitters need to know to ask these questions to those who have been at THS a long time.
But I did make sure to mention it.
Owners are also required to keep their listings updated. Glad you mentioned the cameras in your review.
Interesting how we reason in opposite directions!
Precisely because everyone has different ideas of cleanliness, I think deducting a star with no mention of the reason is not useful, it might just imply that you
but there could be a quite acceptable level of cleanliness, after all, 4* out of 5 is still a good rating.
I need to correct my statement. That should say it was a memorable 5 star sit.
When I see the only review with reduced ratings, I believe that sitter and respect them for being honest. It doesn’t necessarily mean other sitters were lying, could be that different sitters got different treatment or circumstances changed
We are “clean Freaks”. We are not only homeowners, but also Sitters when we/I are available. Our place is, by all standards, kept spotless. Our own profile says: “Please leave our place as you found it when you arrived, Spotless.” I/we, for one, would not have any problem giving a homeowner a rating of 4 for lack of cleanliness if the home was not up to par. If we’re willing to assist you with the health and well-being of your pets AND your home while you’re away, the least you could do for your Sitter is offer us a spotless home. It is all anyone could ask for, … right?
What I have started doing is Googling “a nicer way to say______.” For instance, the phrase I will be using for “the sheets were worn and dirty” is "the bedding appeared worn and needed more thorough laundering."
This is always a question and discussion for we sitters. I just finished a sit, where other sitters had hinted around an issue with the sit. Only one was honest and docked a few specific stars, and the homeowner was able to absolutely trash them in a reply. But with THS, you cannot respond at all to a comment on your review, even if it’s clearly retaliatory. That’s why many of us aren’t 100% honest. Yes, we’re protected by the “review for review” algo, but the drive-reply is where the homeowners can do the damage, if they feel slighted.
The homeowner’s reply isn’t very credible if it doesn’t match the review that they gave for the sitter.
Giving someone 5 stars doesn’t take anything away from another person who also received 5 stars.
The cleaner home isn’t being treated unfairly—they’ll never know how you rated someone else.
If a home wasn’t quite as clean, it can still deserves an overall positive rating/5 stars; include constructive feedback with you rating. That way, you’re recognizing a good experience while still providing useful guidance.
I love the advice in the thread recommending less stars and explaining exactly why, so that future hosts/ sitters have full context. That way it can be discussed in the call for clearing the air & reassurance. Recently I gave 3 stars for cleanliness because on arrival I had to vacuum dust & cobwebs from every corner, and clean the kitchen surfaces and hob. I also gave 4 stars for pet behaviour because they didn’t share the cat hadn’t been spayed; she happened to be on heat during my stay, which was traumatising to say the least and stopped me sleeping. Both resulted in 4 stars for accuracy of listing. Now I’m going to have to review a sit regarding third party violations. Explained several times before the sit & shared the ts & cs and it still happened. Not sure which section to knock stars off for that - should be one for violating the ts and cs!!