I noticed that the wording in this help topic has been revised .
It used to say
“Sitters are not expected to complete any tasks that are considered ‘work’. This includes (and is not limited to) helping a pet parent maintain any business they might have (including managing accommodation rentals) “
Now the part about managing accommodation rentals has been removed.
Has there been a change of policy ?
As you would be running the business, why would anyone offer to do that?
I certainly wouldn’t.
I saw a FB post where a dog boarder was considering joining so the sitter could keep the business running as she ‘didnt have the time for holidays’ and was desperate to have one!
We’ve not been made aware of any policy changes, and I feel something like this would have been communicated in advance!
I do wonder if the mention of managing accommodation rentals was removed as the previous sentence already covered it “… helping a pet parent maintain any business they might have”.
That’s just my understanding though, so I have passed the link to the team with your comments and asked for clarification.
I’ll update here if I get anything back!
Jenny
We would be happy to help run a business whilst the owners were away but we’d want paying for our services.
We have been asked to run B & Bs in their absence (no payment offered)
My comments are that their business could be wrecked if any guests experienced one of my badly fried eggs.
Why would they risk their reputation?
Agreed if it’s optional and sitter would be paid ( as a private arrangement outside of THS ) that’s great .
As long as the sister has a choice - it shouldn’t be a requirement of a THS sit - I have seen listings that state … if the sitter wishes to earn some money by gardening / managing Airbnb there is an opportunity to do so which can be discussed.
I have also seen listing where sitter was expected not only to take care of some pets & livestock ; also be available to greet and check in guests to various holiday lets on the site but was also expected to drive a tractor and trailer at 4pm each day to give guests a ride on tour experience of the property!! ( All unpaid )
Luckily I tried out my idea for a B&B venture on my parents first. Somehow ended up with an egg that escaped the pan and ended up frying directly on the ceramic hob. We decided that hospitality possibly wasn’t my strong point, unless guests were looking for a ‘Fawlty Towers’ experience.
Let the B&B guests walk the dog! 
Yes!!! That would enrich their experience of the property!!
What a risky expectation that someone would volunteer to do that and why would you risk your business and the happiness of your clients to someone you are not Paying, Have not trained or fully vetted? This person is completely unrealistic
That feels like someone who just doesn’t want to pay for labor. They need WorkAway or something like that, if there’s no one local they can pay.
And OMG I cannot even imagine being required to drive a tractor lol…and the liability! You could end up imprisoned if someone fell off and was injured and the authorities thought you were a flight risk.