I saw a Pomeranian dog for pet sit on THS called Biscuit. Cutest wee fella. I think its a perfect name for a pet. And when its bad you can say “OH Crumbs”!!
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Yeah, having a guideline on the Cleanliness rating would be super helpful. 5 - spotless, 4 - clean w/minor dirt, 3 - most rooms weren’t clean but not filthy, 2 - some significant dirt but not unliveable, 1 - almost unliveable. Probably better descriptions than that, but something along those lines.
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@Kbco or 5 being cleanest down to 1 being unliveable. (Edit: I see you’ve updated)
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@Kbco
I agree with you—regardless of how kind the HO might be, it’s disrespectful.
Felt sick to my stomach cleaning up after them; it was bad. Someone with asthma wouldn’t have been able to stay there, so will rate the cleanliness accordingly.
If I ever find myself in a similar situation again, I think I’ll casually ask when their cleaner is booked - as a practical question in terms of keys etc - perhaps even mentioning asthma as an excuse😅
That way it’s not that personal😊
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@Garfield me too! I always take photos of each room when I arrive and when I leave, but THS don’t seem to want to intervene in the case of false reviews.
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Good advice, I have thought of starting with that.
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I love your perspective. Having just lost my very clean and organized mum when she was young, and watching things slip as she aged, yet knowing her hospitality and desire for people to be comfortable even when she wasn’t able to keep her youthful standards, I hold a soft spot for elderly folk who share their homes.
Yes, it can be uncomfortable but what an opportunity to bless them with a clean home when they return. An assignment such as this is not for everyone but those who can rise to the occasion will be blessed (good karma, universal vibes, etc) beyond measure.
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Not all heroes wear capes. Thank you.
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Gentle honesty. Wonderful!!
And that’s the point of the new blind review system, isn’t it? It’s a threefold benefit now, I think: to educate the hosts regarding THS standards; to inform future sitters and to be true to yourself by reflecting on the sit with honesty.
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@Gabba haha, never thought of that😆…could be a cat too, they tend to make tons of biscuits per hour - highly regarded of course🤌
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Hi. I understand that you felt uncomfortable, and I’m glad you didn’t leave the sit.
Personally, I am not a good house keeper and when I had lots of pets, it was messy. Sometimes I felt embarrassed to let people in. However, at the end of the day, the state of the house is my business. Whether I’m house sitting or not, I don’t judge the way people keep their house. That is none of my business. In fact, I don’t mind cleaning up a bit myself (I think it’s easier in other people’s houses rather than my own). Even then, I try to respect their priorities. I’m not Martha Stewart.
There can be many reasons why a house is messy. They can be overwhelmed, have other priorities, too busy, can’t afford help with house cleaning, need renovations they can’t do yet, etc. They probably need a break just as much as anyone else.
On the other hand, I agree with others that a fair review is good for other house-sitters. They need a heads-up if messy (even dirty) homes bother them. But kindness is the best policy. Good luck with your future sits! I am not in any way being down on you – just offering a perspective. Be well.
People can live however they like. But when you’re on THS bartering, offering a messy or dirty house is essentially shortchanging on an exchange. No one wants to be inflicted with someone else’s mess involuntarily. That’s unkind.
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totally agree with Maggie on this one. To have invited guests into your home, it is good manners to clean up prior to their arrival no matter what excuses you can think up not to clean. I’ve absolutely resented turning up to a dirty home because it’s not an equal exchange. It’s unhygienic and disgusting, which isn’t logical in 2024. We all have access to learn how to maintain a home and being hygienic and tidy doesn’t cost money.
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For sitters, the state of another person’s house IS our business when we have to live there.
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@Lassie
It is and it isn’t. I mean to say it’s fair enough to give a heads up in a review that a house may not be comfortable for some people.
But
We trade a service for a place to stay. Some are palatial and some are humble. Some are immaculate and some are… not.
We can choose, and we can evaluate through a fair review.
And as I made clear, I am offering a perspective. 
I don’t see any situation where the state of the house that I’m living in is NOT my business. The reason why it is in that state may not be my business but the fact that it is in that state most definitely is.
Whether the home is acceptable will vary from sitter to sitter. Some prefer humble, lived-in accommodations whereas others want scrupulously clean penthouses. Both are fine, if that is what the sitter prefers.
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@Lassie
I’ll say it again: I’m offering a perspective.
I’m not here to argue.
Thanks for your perspective. I’m finished replying, as we have both stated our positions clearly.
@Happypets I think I just felt sorry for the HO and although I mentioned that the house was untidy I didn’t say how disgusting it really was (I did take photos). In future I will be more blatant.
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@Maggie8K I think sometimes when people live in a dirty untidy home they get so used to it that they don’t realise any more.