I just checked. I cannot post dates beyond my membership expiration if auto renew is turned off. I presume I can post those dates if auto renew is on and switch it back off after arranging a sitter. So maybe you’re half right.
Thanks for checking. I forgot that the auto renewal adds another wrinkle.
Was it in France by chance?
Lots of sits are “off platform” even ones that originated on there.
One of the big reasons is to avoid the booking fee. Another is repeat sitters that reconnect via a prior off site means of communication and agree to another sit. You may lose some protection but as long as everything is going well it’s nothing to be alarmed about. The word “unauthorized” is so draconian and scary and it overstates what is usually a non issue anyway.
THS contacts all homeowners with cleaning instructions before a sit starts. The email that this HO received would not have been prompted by a complaint by the previous sitters.
Does anyone have a screenshot the cleaning checklist that is sent to (some) hosts before a sit ?
As far as I can recall the cleaning checklist sent out does specifically mention “making sure fresh sheets are on the bed when sitters arrived”( it probably should )
So this sounds more specific and as a result of complaint
@Mervyng please update the forum when you have heard back from MS .
This is from March 2021 so not sure if it has been updated since then.
As you say not all hosts receive it anyway.
Cleanliness checklist
When opening your home to a new guest, it’s important to leave it exactly as you’d like to find it on your return. Here’s a handy 10-point cleaning checklist to get you on your way:
- Dust the house, vacuum the floor, and mop any hard floors
- Clean any dirty laundry or linen, and put it away before you leave
- Empty your rubbish/garbage bins and take out any recycling
- Empty the dishwasher, or wash and put away any dirty dishes
- Give the cooker, microwave and cooking utensils a clean, ready for your sitters to use. And don’t forget to put out some clean tea towels!
- Clean out the fridge and dispose of any open or perishable food items. Why not make some extra space for your sitters to store their food, too?
- Clean the bathrooms and stock up on cleaning or household supplies, such as soap and toilet paper
- Launder your pet beds, blankets and bowls/dishes
- Ensure pet supplies (such as food or litter) are replenished and easily accessible for your sitter
- Lastly, check outside: is the garden, yard and driveway clean and tidy too?
Thanks for sharing. W
w, that explains why my recent homeowners filled up the rubbish bin with food items and the fridge was completely empty. Some items were unopened and not expired, cheese, butter etc. Sounds a bit extreme and in these times of food insecurity should be reworded to:
Dispose of any spoiled or expired food, but feel free to leave fresh or usable items that you’re happy for your sitter to enjoy.
Yes! That is just what I was thinking. Such a waste to throw away good food.
I always say the day before don’t bother to empty the fridge, I hate waste and will use up anything that is left. ( If you do this you can always throw out anything if you don’t like it or need it)
Yes. I hate to see perfectly good food thrown away, such a waste. Definitely don’t agree with that policy.
There are oodles of threads about food, but as a sitter, I always proactively tell the owners that I will use up any misc perishables that would otherwise spoil during their absence, i.e. produce, dairy products. I tell them, “Please do not feel that you have to throw good food away.”
I send this singular message about a week before the sit begins, so that it is not mixed in with other topics.
I agree. I cannot see a problem. I have done a few sits that have been repeats and the homeowners have just contacted me direct and not through THS.
@Silversitters owners get an email about how to prepare for a sitter with a link to a cleaning checklist that goes to here Owner Cleanliness Checklist | TrustedHousesitters.com
I was interested to read this last bit on that Owner Cleanliness Checklist prepared by Angela.
Auntie Angela’s top tip: “At the end of a busy day caring for pets, homes and possibly gardens, what your sitter will look forward to most is a nice hot shower and a comfy bed. Prepare your guest’s bedroom — a chair to put clothes on, a bed with fresh, clean bedding, and clean towels are the extra touches your sitter won’t forget.”
I wouldn’t call “fresh, clean bedding and clean towels” extra touches but rather necessities to make your sitter feel comfortable and welcome!
Just to add to @temba point above . In the Amenities section bedding and pillows can be selected ie it appears that it’s optional rather than a requirement.
@Silversitters Ridiculous that Bedding and Pillows is optional but that’s how it comes across in the Amenities, isn’t it? Nothing about it being clean either!!
Bedding and pillows comes under the “Sitter Favourites” heading, along with other things like Wifi etc.
Hi @Mervyng
Just to add that should there be (or have been) any challenges with the sit, you would still receive all the support and cover as normal. This includes the Sit Cancelation Policy, MS support etc.
Huge difference though between planning it that way vs thinking it is a THS covered sit and then finding out mid-sit that it’s not!!
This is a huge bad on THS’s part. They’ve left this sitter hanging with no support. I find this extremely concerning.
The sit cancellation policy states that you have to pay for the emergency accommodation (nearby) first then apply to see if you are eligible for a rebate not very reassuring and we never heard anything from member services other than an email stating that and then a standard email requesting feedback on how the person handled it on Frankie