The marketing often implies “free Airbnb” and I think some hosts buy into this. I have seen posts saying my house would rent for $$$. Yeah but not with pet care included. This is where fair exchange starts to go out of the window. Honestly I look at so many sits and think what is in this for me, ordinary location, house, demanding list of pet responsibilities, meh move on.
Ok. I’m going to go against the grain here. (100+sits worldwide) I agree the tone sounds harsh. But for central Amsterdam, with an easy pet, for a longer sit, I’d be tempted to apply and get to a video call. English appears to be the second language and perhaps something is lost in translation. They may also have been burnt before by messy sitters or a huge utility bill when they returned. If they sounded difficult on the call, Id simply withdraw from the process. But if we clicked and seemed on the same page, I’d happily pay for the cleaner (more time for me to explore) and MAYBE even the utilities. But I would then want full control of cooling and heating.
That was my thought when I saw they were reviewing, I bet they have already got at least one of those messages.
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Sad to read that this would be ok for some sitters. It would never be ok for me and there is no way I would click with such hosts. If people are not generous in one way they won’t be generous in others either.
(edited by Forum team to remove an off-topic remark in line with our Community Guidelines)
But if we clicked and seemed on the same page, I’d happily pay for the cleaner (more time for me to explore) and MAYBE even the utilities. But I would then want full control of cooling and heating.
Fair enough.
Of course, this is about good matches and it’s up to both parties to decide what’s a good enough match for them. Clearly, the HO can “afford” this kind of tone and attitude because they keep getting sitters in spite of the reviews and what seems an amended listing including requirements. For sitters it would depend on their need or willingness to be in that location and their options to get accommodation otherwise.
For me, it doesn’t make any difference whether they live in a palace, walking distance to all amenities in a great city or they live in a basic studio apartment in a small random village and it’s not about paying for a cleaner, which I consider an excellent option and it’s more than fair to ask for a clean place whether you clean it yourself or have it professionally cleaned. It’s not about the money I would have to pay for utilities either, in financial terms it might still make sense.
The thing is that I don’t get to the point of considering a sit from a financial perspective. If for whatever reason I don’t feel 100% welcome or I feel hesitant that it would be an enjoyable sit, I just don’t apply.
In this case there are plenty of red flags in the listing and reviews. Reviews are not terrible in terms of star ratings but the information given is totally off putting for me. It’s mostly about the entitled attitude.
IMO it’s OK to pay for energy & cleaner in terms of THS T&Cs and in terms of what a sitter considers to be a fair exchange. It would only be fair for me if I felt that the host needed my contribution or that I had made them incur in extra costs. This case sounds as though they want to make you pay and, still, you should be grateful.
Oh I’d love to read what else you said before it was edited…so annoying!
I love this, what a fantastic reply!
I can think of just such a sitter, but she is currently suspended, from the forum, at least.
Contributing towards utilities (or similar) can be discussed and agreed prior to the sit being agreed, this would be more likely for longer term sits. The page below touches on that…
https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360001756278-Am-I-ready-to-confirm-a-sit
“If you are applying to a long-term sit, you may also need to discuss and agree on financial commitments, such as utility bills.”
I do wonder if @Brightlight may be on to something. I’ve known some lovely people from countries across Europe who can come across as very direct when communicating in English.
Listings in a highly desirable location can do almost anything they want. Some of it goes against the rules but doesn’t get flagged. I’ve seen sits with other people who will be in the home during the sit - strictly against the rules - but bc it’s in a place like Hawaii, they still get their 5 applicants immediately.
So clearly these kinds of demands are not off putting to everyone!
I have to say, you do seem to land on your feet rather a lot. What is your secret?
On that note, sitters incur costs, including damaged personal items. A young dog damaged my Scottish clan scarf (parents brought back from Edinburgh), a cat tore a favorite top, etc.
I think they have 5 star reviews too 
My understanding is that homeowners can mention charges for cleaning or utilities upfront in the listing. Many sitters will bypass those listings altogether. It feels completely out of line to add charges later or threaten bad reviews if money isn’t forked over.
I think if you missed some animal (I assume) feces on the balcony – or couldn’t it have happened after you left, or you missed some salt on the countertop, they’d have a right to mention something in a review or take a point off for “clean and tidy” but asking for a cleaner charge in return for not leaving a bad review is a bit rich. I’d live with the review and take responsibility for whatever mistakes you made and I’d very publicly mention the ask for money. I don’t think this will have a bad impact on your getting future sits unless you have other less than stellar ratings for cleanliness. I do think this impact their ability to get future sitters.
That’s what I thought but, apparently, they are getting sitters after that review and have been 5* sits from both sides.
The charge for bills and cleaning service is now mentioned in the listing but it seems it was sprung up on a sitter in the past and they mentioned that in their review.
I sit part time and can afford non-sit travel, so I can easily pass on iffy listings. Being an older woman who telecommutes and sits solo also appeals to many hosts.
No secrets. I just do useful things consistently:
• Being very selective with listings and looking closely at tone and content, with a focus on reciprocity, generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness. I automatically skip any listings that lack such.
• Paying close attention to red or yellow flags and not talking myself into things. I have consistent boundaries for any sit — doesn’t matter how great a location or such.
• Not looking at photos unless the listing/host sounds right. That’s because it’s easy to be swayed by images. To me, the No. 1 potential deal-breaker for any sit are the hosts.
• Reading reviews written for and by hosts and looking for red or yellow flags. Avoiding hosts with repeated missing reviews.
• Cleanliness matters to me, so I look for written references to that. That’s more telling than star ratings, because some sitters withhold the truth, but it’s much less likely that they’ll outright lie and write that a home was clean when it wasn’t.
• Writing my sitter bio and applications (and choosing my photos) to address hosts’ key concerns and questions, without them needing to ask. That meant even when I was starting out — without reviews or references — I immediately began getting unsolicited invitations. It helps that I’ve owned homes of various sorts over decades and have taken good care of them. I also have road tripped cross country over decades, which I mention in my profile. That means some hosts will offer me use of cars, unsolicited, even when they don’t do that for other sitters.
• I now have dozens of top-notch reviews across the board, because I adore pets and live cleanly and tidily. Though I do limited repeat sits, my reviews often mention that hosts want me back, which helps convince other hosts.
• Including my LinkedIn and Airbnb links. Airbnb reviews mention how clean I leave places, even when I’m paying. LinkedIn shows that I’ve carried a lot of career responsibilities. People who’ve done a lot of hiring and/or managing know that people who are responsible tend to be consistently that way. Many of my hosts’ careers have overlapped mine and/or they’ve been executives. Like my host-wife in Manhattan said she saw my LinkedIn and immediately contacted me, because she managed a nonprofit during semi-retirement and she respected the company I helped build, which helped many of her nonprofit’s clients.
• Including a friendly heads up in my sitter profile about THS deal-breakers (like no internal cameras, no third parties staying, no aggressive animals). I want iffy hosts to avoid me. I get good hosts, who I know have read my profile, because they ask about or mention such elements.
• In a friendly way, my sitter profile also mentions what I need (high-speed internet) and what I appreciate (like hosts who’ve nailed down their travel plans, cleanliness, fridge and freezer space). I can tell that hosts are aware, because they mention such when we video chat.
• My sitter profile and application both mention looking for a mutual fit. That helps set the dynamic that we’re equals. Hosts who think they’re solely doing the choosing probably will be put off by that, which is my intent.
• I avoid problems that a number of sitters struggle with, like not getting welcome guides or being messed with on the hosts’ departure and return times. During video chats, I let hosts know that I’ll make travel plans after I get their WGs (I don’t care on what platform or format) and their departure and return times in writing (so I can arrange travel logistics with less room for mistakes). That means hosts are automatically incentivized to send me WGs and travel times. I have never been surprised by a host’s late departure or early return. And I immediately read WGs when they arrive, to avoid surprises and to ask Qs, if needed. Like I promptly withdrew from a sit when I read that a host’s dog needed letting out overnight and another was prone to diarrhea.
• On principle, I won’t pay hosts a penny to sit, whether in utility costs or otherwise.
• I always have a backup plan. And I won’t apply for any sits where I can’t afford a fallback. To me, that’s a part of adulting and self-care.
Pretty certain I do all those things - sorry skim read as it’s so long. I have over 100 x 5 star reviews but have rarely had the treats and extras you receive. I think Americans are more generous, certainly very generous with their tips!
I’ve sat in the U.S. and U.K./Scotland and have found hosts typically hospitable.
Sit just outside of Cambridge: Volunteered to pick me up at the train station. Brought me a tray of tea in the guest room even though I had to rush right in (barely meeting the wife) and jump on a video meeting for work. Then we had a cream tea together after. And then later treated me to dinner. Introduced me to friends and neighbors, who invited me to afternoon tea and a lecture. Gifted me with different rums on their return from the Caribbean. They had a weekly cleaner, who came twice while they were away.
London sit: Made a welcome lunch for us and invited me to a thank-you dinner after the sit.
Sit in Stratford-upon-Avon: Volunteered to pick me up at the train station. Showed me around on walks. Left me wine. On their return, offered me more wine to take with me. Dropped me off at the train station.
When I repeat-sat in Stratford-upon-Avon, they again picked me up at the train station and gifted me with wine. Asked whether I wanted to stay extra days to sightsee. And after their return, they drove me to Warwick, where I planned to stay over and sightsee.
Sit in Glasgow: Host invited me to stay two days early and encouraged me to sightsee before she left. Took me to Waitrose for a shop. Said she normally offered to let sitters stay extra days after sits, but couldn’t this time, because a loved one was coming for the holiday season. Later offered me two repeat sits, though I couldn’t make it.
Ok, nice to see that Brits are generous too.
How come all Ive gotten extra was K pods on a London sit? What gives?