What would be the point of that anyway when you’ve already been verified?
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I do not know exactly what the point is, but it is easy enough for me to do.
Why do so many hotels want to see one’s passport?
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Because the embassy may need to know who is staying there or, if there’s a major incident they have details.
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Funny, I just had my first sit with THS and I was going to post about something similar…there was a camera in my bedroom that they told me was turned off!!! It was an 8 day sit and I was more than uncomfortable but didn’t rock the boat. I had already committed and didn’t find out till I was there when they left. The entire week was basically horrible for a few reasons. I’ll make a post about it, but these owners should be upfront in their listing! Horrible!
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Don’t know about other places, but in Thailand the owner has to report any foreigner who stays in the house overnight, and for that you’ll need the passport information. But of course I always explain the reason when I ask that information.
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“They agreed to meet with me if I provided contact information for previous owners.”
Is this even okay? You’d have to ask the previous sits if they were okay with this, I imagine.
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I think @pietkuip needs to know this
Control of foreigners was also a reason in Europe in some periods.
And that reason about disasters that @smiley mentioned was enforced by ferry companies for some years after Estonia had sunk. Or when camp sites got washed away.
But now in Germany it was very inconsistent. Some hotels wanted me to copy every detail of the passport when I checked in, others did not care and would not have a record of my name if I had payed with cash.
As for HOs: I have also been asked a copy of my liability insurance. I don’t question that kind of thing, I just dig it up and send it in. Actually, it was not difficult to understand the relevance.
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@pietkuip
Its pretty standard practise at hotels everywhere that you show your passport as ID at check in.
But you should not need to send a copy of your passport to an HO as you’ve already been vetted by THS. If they give the reason that its because the country in question requires it for the local authorities then perhaps you could share a copy when you arrive rather than sending a copy via unsecured email. I’d be a little concerned about data protection.
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Isn’t this vetting thing only in the US? Or have I forgotten that I did it?
Oh, and isn’t it entirely @Snowbird’s point that the imposition, with which some of us agree and others don’t, is contrary to their values & principles so the point is valid no matter what the perceived offence?
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@Saltrams good point. I can’t remember exactly what I submitted when I joined- it was 5 yesrs ago- but assume it was probably a copy of my passport plus email & phone number.
Fellow members please correct me if I’m wrong!
US members seem to have a more detailed vetting process but I don’t what it entails or why it should be different for them anyway?
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I’m a US sitter. I had to upload a copy of my driver’s license and undergo a criminal background check. I don’t feel the need to send my ID to individual hosts.
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Snowbird,
That sit sounds like red flags and warning sirens! My first thought on the photo id was that they were looking to steal your identity. Yes on the guard dog theory as well.
I’m curious if you were going to be their first sitter. I can understand some apprehension from a HO new to THS, but that was extreme.
Good call! That sit wasn’t one to decline, it was one to run from!
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Hello @Paljimmy Thank you for raising this with me. It’s a great question!
I could see where you might have spotted this type of moderation before. We have previously stepped in when we see that a member is posting about a direct breach to the T&Cs and passed this on to the MS team.
As this is not a direct breach of the T&Cs, we are more than happy to guide members to get the help they need directly from the Membership Services team and how to find the correct channels to contact them.
Thank you for raising this as it’s very helpful for members to know the process going forward and how to get the help they need.
Please feel free to share the support email and the help desk link on members posts in the future.
Thank you for being such a supportive community.
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I find your story very distressing, and I think such people shouldn’t be part of this community. As far as I understand it, the site provides certain ground rules that everybody should adhere to - sitters and house-owners, and treating us like employees for instance is not the state of mind I expect from home and pet owners. And also I wouldn’t want to take part in keeping dogs in a state that I don’t think is proper for a living creature - dogs that don’t leave the premises are slaves, not pets.
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Thanks for clarifying that Carla.
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I love your clarity, is well put. Simple and clear.
I agree that showing a copy when you arrive at the sit should suffice, seeing as how vetting was thoroughly completed and posted.
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Sad, amazing Sitter here,
I would LOVE to be treated better, with mutual respect and caring, as I show up with a lot to give, and I love giving where I trust I am appreciated, and very welcome, not this:
Is there some way for Hosts to be aware of the TH Policies more fully, as I have done 6 sits, and 2 (3-week-sits) have been truly, and daily, upsetting, uncomfortable and shocking, and, as well, they depended on me confronting a whole lot of “should-not-be-my-job” kinds of things.
Why should I have to ask for loo roll/toilet paper, after I was told before the host departed to, “try to find it, it is somewhere in bulk,” and then when I message that it is nowhere that I can find it, I was told, “There is none, and we are not providing it.”
And, they actually said in their text,
“Trusted Housesitters was very clear we only provide the house.”
But, I read in the list of things Hosts are to prepare for a Sitter, that TP/loo roll is included, and I can replace what I use, …or not, as some places do not mind providing it.
Please clarify your experience and understanding, anyone.
That is simply strangely rude to me for it to become an issue. I can go buy it, but why tell me to look for it, vaguely offering it in bulk, and then deny it being available.
And, further, I was met with push back, and assurance that unacceptable things, like excavation for construction during a Sit, and close-by Air BnB guests are “fine.”
Even after I stated, “These are against TH Policies.”
Hosts should know to not leave filth, grunge and trash.
Hosts should know they need to be respectful of Sitters.
Hosts should know not to excavate next to the kitchen, and where dogs play.
I do not feel welcome being in the home of someone who I do not trust has taken the time necessary to provide a fresh, clean home.
I like to clean every day, my own home, and wherever I am,
but I am not arriving to be the housekeeper for many weeks of past family living.
My trust has been broken by actions that were neglected that are common courtesy as well as Trusted Housesitters’ Policies, and by actions taken that disturb my sense of a mutually caring exchange. I am going to care for home and pet with enthusiasm, no matter what, so it is deflating to have there be a sense of lacking integrity from the host.
I am sensitive. I am strong, and caring, and love to give. But, I am frozen in my tracks by the shocking lack of awareness of two Hosts out of 6, and I am wary to continue TH-Sitting if I can not trust Hosts are responsible and aligned with the values of Trusted Housesitters’ intentions to be a welcoming and amazing community.
I strongly feel Trusted Hosts are rare now, and this needs to be improved.
A clean home is not optional.
My peace and security are not pie-in-the-sky here.
I am a Trusted Housesitter with 30 years experience, integrity, joy in my heart and clear intentions to be a blessing in sacred service here, and
I am going to need help.
I am standing firm, and trusting my principles, and values, and being run over with nonsense that is not passing my notice.
Thank you.
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Were they new to TH? I know when I first joined, in 2017, I did ask people for references I could call or email for additional information. As I got more familiar and experienced with using TH, I stopped taking that extra step.
I agree there were several red flags and you dodged a bullet by declining to sit for them. As a sitter from the U.S., the 3rd party background check that’s required, should give others more comfort than just seeing someone’s Driver’s License.
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