Thank you! Looks like it’s updated now 
Let’s see how I get on with a new angle…
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My husband and I housesit and occasionally with our kids, sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. Its really up to the home owner. As a home owner, we are ok with family but friends would be a no go for us unless they have an account with THS.
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I had similar experiences with UK applications as long I was still in Sweden. And hosts had had problems with cancellations by sitters from abroad.
That’s interesting, do you mind me asking why family is ok but not friends?
I’m a solo person and I don’t have a lot of family, so my friends are like my family to me. So maybe that’s why I’m struggling to see the difference if the person isn’t officially on THS, as they’re still an additional stranger no matter the relation.
Family have a permanent legal connection to the sitter whereas friends do not.
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I agree with Bonnie and even as a family member, we only go with those that mention them on their profile. Not typically like a random aunt or something. I mean we have even had boyfriend/girlfriends stay but only if they are both in the profile.
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Can you update your profile to give more info about your friend & her experience just for the period you are looking to go as a duo. Do you think its because HOs are thinking we’ll need 2 bedrooms??? I would have thought 2 pairs of hands were better on a multi pet sit.
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Yes I have updated my profile
I’d have thought two people is better than one too, more attention for the pets. Plus they’re rural sits so be pretty lonely for a solo person. My friend is almost 40 and a hard working professional, ironically probably one of the most organised people you’d meet so is great to have around… so it’s a shame I’m not getting responses.
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I’m mid 30’s so the only thing I can think is the HO’s all want someone older but aren’t specifying it on their profiles. I’ve never been ignored this much.
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How about flagging the “we’re a two and here’s why it works so well” right up front in the application @RR12345 & see if that deals with the blocker? #elephantintheroom
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I think you should add your friend to your profile and have them vetted by the platform.
The worst horror story we have heard came from a wonderful homeowner couple that allowed a single female sitter in their house who then brought their friend.
The place was trashed. The bedroom bed linen, and mattress soaked in coffee stains, everything sticky, door handles, backs of chairs, kitchen counter tops, just filthy and dirty throughout, wine drunk, underwear left under the rug.
The special needs cat, was not fed enough, and the person left 7am to 7pm some days… not what was agreed.
After seeing photos of the now skinny underfed cat, and devastation to their beautiful property they returned to, (they called us as trusted previous sitters for help), I would as a homeowner be cautious too.
Register your friend the correct way. It is one thing having permission for someone to visit, and quite another for someone to do the sit with you, on repeated sits.
These guys had no knowledge of who the friend was who went into their things, and trashed the place. They felt violated .
The idea of THS is for a TRUST based exchange, so make that happen and have your friend go through the correct channels as all sitters have to do.
You can’t have the partner vetted @RoseC, THS don’t do it. It’s just for the main member. Even my husband who sits all the time with me and has done since we started 3 years ago has had no actual ID checks from start to finish. #bonkers
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I sit solo and have never asked to bring a guest to stay. I did once ask to have a friend over for lunch, so I wouldn’t have to leave a year-old rescue dog with separation anxiety alone. My hosts said yes.
Otherwise, I’ve had four or five hosts out of 15 voluntarily offer to let me bring a guest, without my ever raising it. The latest one is for a sit I’ll be doing in a resort-like community. That host also volunteered to let me drive their car, an offer not mentioned in the listing, but extended over our video chat.
I wonder whether it’s because I’m an older sitter and hosts give me benefit of doubt. All 15 of my reviews are strong, but I started getting offers to bring guests or use hosts’ cars pretty early on while sitting, all unasked.
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@Cuttlefish
This makes no sense at all. Years ago, we did the highest security background check on THS and now they let people be added with nothing? (We were in USA at the time and did enhanced security).
As a sitter and previous homeowner, I find this disturbing.
Not you and your husband as we have seen you around for some time!
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You can’t add someone like that.
To be honest I have a lot of good reviews that span several years, I’d hope it’s evident I’m an animal lover and would take care of someone’s home, and never neglect their pet.
Totally agree! And yes we are relatively well known with reviews now but it’s not a great system for peace of mind. #ludicrousismywordoftheday
Perhaps you could offer a video chat with your friend present? As an HO with a bit of a rural sit I’m open to idea of a friend joining, but it would be nice to “meet” the friend too. When couples have sat for us we’ve always video chatted with both. It’s helped establish a nice rapport and comfortable sits all around.
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I’d totally offer that! And say in the messages let me know if you want to arrange one.
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@RoseC When my husband and I joined 6 years ago only I, as main account holder, was ID checked. Also all messaging on THS only uses my name, not hubbies as well, including the review request etc. This means hosts frequently address only me which we don’t like. We asked several times for my husbands name to be added to the messaging etc but THS insists only one person can be the official account holder and only that person is named on the messaging etc. And yet our profile itself has both names on it and our whole profile and all reviews include my husband. We’d happily provide my hubbies ID as well but they don’t want it…
All very strange!
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