Got to say I read all of these posts with interest and some concern. I’ve only been an HO so I found plenty to think about for my next trip and the sitter that comes to help me out. Little things and hopefully not big things will be on my mind in prepping for my next trip. Thank you so much!
There is “something” to learn, every day. 
I’m sorry. This is so unfair!
Thanks for sharing your experience and updating.
Good luck.
It sounds like you acted in exactly the appropriate way. That sounds like a difficult one and you seemed to deal with it well.
We’ve had this situation too, where older folks just don’t see the dirt and mess any more, and we’re more wary of situations like this now.
Can I ask about the “blind review” system. We’re very new to THS and our first sit was great but the house was a bit dirtier than we would have liked and we did have to do a couple more things than we expected i.e. cleaning out the chickens - we were there for a month so couldn’t have left it even though we weren’t asked to do it etc. But I left 5 stars because we hadn’t had any reviews yet ourselves. So what can the HO see by way of our reviews? I now feel guilty for not being a bit more honest in my review, but I think they went on a trip of a lifetime, so might not even need to use THS again!
Welcome I absolutely relate!!.. In amazing Caribbean paradise done two faultless, so enjoyable excellent sits prior, references on THS site.
Now arrived to current sit…I too honestly contemplated leaving sit once physically viewed, but not wishing to complicate issue for last sitters and dogs so adorable I resisted leaving?? wrong move?.. OMG no respect previous sitters prior to July 2024 shown to Owners as apparently H/O been overseas for many months for family/medical reasons. so not aware of situation… through-by one sitter taking over from last sitter scenario - not recommended!!..So I started off sit on a strong unfavourable voice tone, as a sitter complainer, all mellowed since as Home Owner now aware of situation…
I question my lovely helpful previous July sitters re car state - basically undriveable as front bumper fell off on each trip, back bumper fell off occasionally too unless taped on with very Strong indestructible tape - an ‘Eagle-eye observance’ done prior to any drive!, garden overgrown I unable to find driveway? It took a professional gardener 2 weeks for driveway clearance…, and work ongoing on remain garden/grounds to try any likeliness or establishment as previously left by Owners, exasperated me when Home Owner sent me photos of garden when they left to now overgrown shambolic uncontrollable weeds… itienery check non existing, kitchen I felt unused, tho I do honestly believe my previous July sitters so dedicated, work hard in garden and within house washing shelves, cleaning etc. absolute shame No ‘before/After’ photos taken??? or this ongoing proof at each sit end date?? enabling new sitter to ascertain all.
Opening windows I found stuck, now opening, many items missing, then finding in strange locations…
Now weeds/garden clearance ongoing, one dog in her element as finding holes in fences etc… so joyfully escapes at first opportunity, so detective work ongoing watching, ascertaining her escape routes?? - normally crawling below fences etc. she very sly, professional within this field of expertism!!! … Bless her at 13 yrs old so active, agile and positive I admire her positivity!!! may I be likewise at her age???..
Rest assured, I absolutely admire you voicing your experience as I do…
*Anyway, I guess this is more of a vent than anything else because I feel incredibly guilty as it’ll likely impact their chance of getting future sitters but I just couldn’t let another sitter walk into that without warning them, regardless of how kind the owners are and how cuddly the creature was. Thanks for letting me vent.
Absolutely totally agree hence why I so often voice my thought to THS of all my concerns… 'Flagged under carpet/Too hard basket/… why? it the adorable pet that suffer consequences
As I have voiced umpteen times to THS which constantly falls on THS ‘deaf ears’ - it’s THS recent change criteria, past 3 years especially, legality monitoring of acceptable sitters creating these issues, so sooner THS realise this, their recruiting system upgraded to qualified interested sitters on board, there will be only minimum ‘hick-ups’- to THS?? Less of the ‘Grab Membership Fees what may as is now, More quality recruiting’ please will benefit with quality sitters and happy home owners/pets…
Hi @JoJoRichardson
Welcome to this wonderful world.
Well, it’s difficult to absorb everything when you’re new so don’t worry. Before the blind review system came in some months ago, everyone would be giving everyone 5 stars because, if not, there would sometimes be retaliation. We asked for a blind review system like Airbnb has so sitters & owners can be more honest. There is a 14 day window for you to write your review and score the owner/sitter in various categories as you’ll know. The other person can’t see that review until they’ve done theirs or, after 14 days if they don’t get round to it. It means there is no retaliation, although after the reviews are published you can respond. So, once your owner’s review is available for you to read I recommend you mention, as diplomatically as you can, about the cleaning you had to do but that, overall, it was a good experience. It’s sometimes hard even with the blind review system to be honest especially when the owners are lovely people (as most of mine have been) but it’s only fair for prospective future sitters to know what they might be letting themselves in for. Also, on a positive note, it can be a wake up call for the owners to clean up!
Also remember everyone has different standards, and that has been discussed a lot here on the forum 
@Wildcolonialgirl Speak for yourself.
For most of us there’s more to the exchange than enjoying time with animals, otherwise we could volunteer with animals locally without all the travel expenses and having to be responsible for a house as well.
We aren’t just looking after pets. We are looking after their home. That part also needs to be a fair exchange.
I wish there was a rating system that was only visible to sitters, and a feedback system to communicate with homeowners. So that we don’t have to be worried about retaliation, or hurting feelings, and can be completely transparent with each other as sitters (while providing helpful feedback to homeowners on how to improve).
Great idea, I usually avoid AI, but when a person’s n is at a Los for words, this might be a good use of the technology.
But some sitters are HO as well.
I admire your tenacity, I would not have been able to cope with the smell or the dirtiness and as for the mildew on pillows and mattress that would have finished me off no matter how sweet the kitties were. I would have ended up in a hotel with an offer to the host that I would feed and play with the cats. We are so lucky that in our 10 years of sits we have only ever really had two grubby places and even those I managed to clean so we could stay there. We have started taking spare bed linen, cleaning kit and towels with us but have rarely had to use them. We always travel by car so at least we have the luxury of space. Well done for sticking it out.
It is indeed luxury! In one sit I thought of buying linen just for a week (the remaining 6 days) and just leave it behind but then I realized it wouldn’t make much difference as the mattress, pillows, furniture and the house itself was beyond spring cleaning.
For those following along with the story, I have heard back from Member Services after my response to them. I’d not had time to open a dispute of my own because I’ve been doing long driving days to get across Europe ASAP (and let me tell you, driving for 6+ hours a day in 90+/30+ heat and no Aircon is not enjoyable!).
MS has closed the case with no action against my account after reviewing the information I provided. They thanked me for leaving an honest review and the fact that I’ve been a member for years. I’m truly sorry it came to this as I really did like the home owners and loved the kitty that hung out with me and I wouldn’t have been averse to saying hi while passing through the area. But clearly that won’t be an option.
I’m definitely glad for the blind review system as I did get a (rightly earned) 5* review from them and I’m glad that I didn’t say anything face to face as who knows what would have happened at that point. The HO had mentioned that they’re having a cold war with their neighbors and now I have a greater understanding as to why that’s likely the case. 
Thankfully I have an upcoming 6 month sit with a gorgeous Maine Coon in a lovely house for a kind couple to look forward to. This 6 months will be the longest I’ve stayed in one location in well over a decade and I’m quite looking forward to it. 
Thanks for your support everyone. It was nice to have somewhere to talk it all through as it’s been a bit of a roller coaster.
I love the suggestion to use an AI tool. I have just tried it for a slightly challenging sit I recently finished and the proposed text was much better than the review that I left.
I’m glad THS have been effective and have soon realized what the situation is.
Thanks for the update and enjoy your long sit. I love Maine Coons and I am sure you are going to be in good company 
I’m glad you have another tool now!
To clarify for others how I made a prompt to the AI I used for an idea to the review: I simply copied in the actual description and asked AI to make a factual, truthful review that was also kind. One can add limits in lenght in the prompt, for instance «in max 500 characters including spaces».
I find that AI has great shortcomings. It can be very untruthful if it need to find facts (it would rather lie than admit it doesn’t know, so to speak) and the creativity and way with words in especially longer texts is often very lacking, I find. So be very careful using it for school, work and important tasks. It will also keep the info you give it. So I don’t give AI information I don’t want «out». Then I make the prompt neutral and add sensitive info to the text in my document after AI-input.
I find in smaller matters or if I need to get some ideas to start with it can be useful. Or as you say - when one is in loss for words. It can be easy to write a glowing review and difficult to write something that is quite negative and still be kind (which one should try, if for nothing else so just to give a good impression of oneself). Then AI can be one option to consider to get new ideas.
Thanks for the update @CreatureCuddler ! So glad it worked out for you, I have been thinking of you and the possible outcome of your case. Love to hear that you have a long-term sit coming up - 6 months and a Maine Coon sounds like what the doctor ordered! Enjoy your stay!
Glad this was the outcome for you.
Sounds like the HO has shot themselves in the foot. Clearly THS haven’t put any stock in the allegations, but have hopefully marked HOs card for future…
Is this an open recourse? I’ve never used AI.