Personally, I’d really like it (and it’s only fair, and good for them!) if the sits with indoor cameras were made public.
Surely it’s just common courtesy NOT to film people?
It is not normal; it is a significant breach of privacy; against the rules of THS; and if done in the UK could be an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 67 (voyeurism).
It certainly needs to be reported as a dispute to THS and appropriate feedback left. In the mean-time, unplug all the cameras and if he contacts you then you know he has definitely been observing you!
Oooh yesssss, even LADIES!
Hi everyone!!! You guys are awesome!! Your words and advice—they’re so full of support and ‘‘vistadome’’. Thank you! So, here’s what’s going on. I brought up the cameras to the host and the website support team, and I’ve turned them off, not all of them, but specifically the ones that monitor my movements. The host, of course, claimed he knew nothing about the cameras, he suggested that the housekeeping staff must have turned them on while cleaning. What a clown. The only reason I haven’t left yet is that I just swapped out the tires on my car so I could visit some rugged, off-road parks located about an hour’s drive from this house. I really didn’t want to have to scrap my plans. As for the pet I’m looking after.. something the host conveniently glossed over, only speaking in vague hints like, “something like this only happened once last year”—well, if it really only happened once, and way back last year, why even bother emphasizing it? That alone seemed suspicious to me. In short: the little guy loves to poop and pee inside the house. It doesn’t matter if you’ve taken him out for a walk three times a day! you’ll still wake up to the stench of his experiments.
One last thing regarding the cameras: the house has glass doors leading out to the backyard, and there’s a camera out there. When I first arrived, it was facing the backyard, exactly as it should be, but now it’s pointing inside the house. I didn’t even bother trying to get to the bottom of that one, the camera covers the kitchen area, so if someone really wants to watch me cook, fine, just tired of this already! BUT here’s what’s on my mind right now: the host actually has reviews, and they’re good reviews, comments like, “Wonderful dog, thank you!” I figure most people(myself included)simply don’t want to cause a scene or air their dirty laundry in public, especially when they’re counting on getting a good review in return. Most of us are just hoping for positive feedback and try to resolve any issues privately between ourselves. But sometimes… well, sometimes you get surprises like this.
I can’t believe you are still there after all that has happened.
Reviews are blind so please state the facts in yours. Would you want another sitter to walk in to that situation?
Once you’ve spent money on a long journey given current gas prices and shelled out for tire replacements, you’ll think twice before deciding to pack up and move to a hotel. Do you see what I mean?
No, I certainly don’t want the next sitter to end up in the same predicament I did. That is why, firstly, once this assignment is over, I intend to discuss these matters much more scrupulously with THS, and secondly, I’ve had an idea: creating a dedicated section on the website where sitters can openly post photos/videos and details regarding specific issues encountered at various properties. Because, let’s be honest, if a host gives you a one-star rating despite being entirely at fault themselves, what are your chances of securing a new booking in a desirable location and a decent home?
I’d also like to add that, in the past, I was fortunate enough to stay in homes where the hosts became my friends. We still correspond with them from time to time. Three such homes, I simply cannot stop thanking those people in my heart! So, naturally, you usually don’t expect any catch.
I thought the issue here is the review that you are going to write, not the review they are going to give you. That is out of your control and has nothing to do with your review. Even if you want to
That doesn’t guarantee you a good, honest review. The host probably expects a negative review from you and he might “retaliate” preventively. He doesn’t sound like an honest person.
Irrespective of what past sitters have said in their reviews (how experienced were they?), this has not been a good sit where the host has violated your privacy, ignored the T & C and not been honest re the dog’s habits. You would not have raised your concerns on the forum or indeed with THS had it been smooth sailing. Therefore, to even think about not giving an honest review and docking stars, is hard to fathom. Do not concern yourself about what the host may write as that is out of your hands. A factual, unemotional review is what is always recommended when there are issues. Be true to yourself.
I suppose it’s possible the previous good reviewers didn’t know about or notice the cameras? Or maybe he didn’t have as many then. Maybe he’s decided to add them since previous sits for the “entertainment” of watching sitters. Then he’s possibly lying to you about not knowing they’re on. And maybe remote-control moving one? This is creepy AF.
I’m certain THS’s privacy policy would never allow a section where people can post photos of problem properties. Even if they did, not all sitters are on this forum to see it. How would they be warned? If a property is bad enough to deserve posting there, it should be removed from the site. Period. The concept makes no sense.
I get it, the cost of gas and hotels sucks, and you want to keep your park visit plans. So if you are willing to exchange your privacy and personal security, and the possibility of someone having videos of you to do whatever they want with, for some dollars saved, then it seems you have accepted your trade and answered your own question, whether or not anyone agrees with you about it. I guess that’s your choice.
But please don’t leave this unreported in the end, to possibly place another sitter in this environment unaware.
Maybe this is a little far-fetched, but what about doing a google-lens search of yourself? See if there are any images of you on the web. If you don’t find anything now, repeat in the future. If you find something suspect, go after the guy.
I guess if this guy is publishing the images, they would be in the dark web, not accessible by google.
I think this case is particularly creepy. There are other posts about cameras where owners may have forgotten to turn them off or they might even have thought it’s Ok to check on their pets. Not nice at all but it can be dealt with. This is clearly not the case, why would he blame the housekeeping staff? How can the camera outside the kitchen be moved if not remotely?
That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to use the images but it shows a great break of trust and invasion of privacy.
I sincerely hope you are going to leave an honest, detailed and factual review. You have a moral responsibility to do so. The fact that the outside camera is now pointing inside the house when it wasn’t before beggars belief. As others have said, I think you should have got out of there days ago.
I know a woman who was a CS host, and she stated “no men” and used to receive lots of abusive messages.
Thankfully, I only received one really angry message from a guy who was clearly SO put out that anyone would deny him something based on his gender. I just replied that that approach was certainly not going to change my mind, and to take his higher wage-earning and every other privilege to a hostel.
I know lots of other women more in line with the CS demographic got bombarded with either come ons or just other nastiness.
I’m glad to hear that you’ve taken some steps to get some semblance of privacy and hope that the rest of your sit is fulfilling (albeit filled with indoor pee …UGH ! That guy needs to be removed).
In response to your general comments about resolving issues privately and your concerns about potential negative review affecting your future sitting potential :
- Given the HO’s denial, minimising and …face it…outright LYING about these cameras, it seems safe to assume that he has used them with previous sitters.
Had those sitters described the cameras and the HO’s response to their bringing them to his attention in their reviews , would you have taken the sit ?
I’m guessing not. My point is that “trying to resolve” these issues privately is exactly what led you to be filmed, watched and …whatever else he did. Had previous sitters addressed this serious concern, either the HO would have been banned from THS (in a perfect world) or, at the very least, you would have had info which would have let you know that your privacy and potential safety were in peril.
Of course you can review as you please. And, depending how you do so, you are either contributing to a system of honesty, responsiblity and care for your fellow sitters (and yourself) OR you are contributing to the flaws and potential dangers of this system (which again, affect you).
- We ALL- myself included - fear negative reviews be they retaliatory, outright lies or otherwise potentially damaging to our “THS cv”.
That said, I would posit that any future HO considering you as a sitter would look at all of your reviews including those written by yourself and those written by the HO’s in context. In other words, while a negative review is not a good thing, when taken in context the unfavourable aspect(s) lessen their impact in the presence of positve reviews. A poor review - even a horrible one - does NOT stand alone.
I hope that your review is honest, fair, objectively descriptive and includes the details necessary for sitter(s) who are thinking about following you to this disgusting - literally and figureatively - situation.
Reviews now are blind reviews. The HO cannot see the sitter’s review of him until after he has submitted his review. Nobody should be afraid of retaliatory reviews now.
We all must be honest and ethical in this process, so that none of us end up in unsafe, dangerous, unsanitary or other awful situations. We all need to be honest to help protect ourselves and each other.
You can reply to the one star with the information otter sitters need to know… also please write an honest review!! Other sitters shouldn’t have to land in this awful sit. Avoidance isn’t honourable.
NO, this is not normal at all – and is seriously prohibited by THS. And is illegal in some countries/states. You have a right to leave because of the cameras.
Be SURE you document that the cameras are there. For your own proof, in case of any issues later… Take photos showing the cameras. Also document any convos you have through screenshots of texts or on the THS app. Take screenshots in case THS conversations are deleted, which can happen if he leaves THS, etc.
Please stay safe and stay in touch with a friend/family member. How much longer is this sit? If you stay at all, you need to be very careful about your safety. PLEASE plan to leave long before he arrives, so you do not cross paths with him. BUT – It would be much much safer to leave and end this sit.