Have a. Couple of issues with my current sitters who are a married couple. When they arrived at our home and I showed them their bedroom which is a large bedroom with king sized bed they asked for two rooms ( there are no mention of it before ). I was a bit taken aback and didn’t say anything and luckily we had another bedroom next to that one made up . We were leaving the following morning to catch h our flight. I have noticed today from our gates which rings my phone if someone can’t get in that the wife has invited two visitors . She didn’t ask and when I messaged her she said that they would be the only two visitors in the 3 week period and sorry but she forgot. I vent believe that someone has forgotten to ask for two bedrooms prior to the sit and also forgotten to ask permission if visitors can come over. Of course I would have said yes on both accounts but it’s the cheekiness and the lack of thought that has left me with a lack of trust .
Yes, they’re taking advantage and rude. If you want to boot them out, that’s within your rights. If you’d rather suck it up, then don’t let on while they’re in your home. You can write a factual review and lodge a formal complaint against them later.
Hi @suea22264,
Welcome to the forum.
I’m sorry that you have to face this situation, which is not at all representative of most sitters’ attitude. Both requests should have been discussed in advance, preferably before confirmation. I understand that you are concerned this could go on.
@Maggie8K already said exactly what I think. I would probably wait and see if this stops but I would definitely write an honest, factual review.
FWIW, I have had sitters ask if there’s a second bedroom that can be prepared, because of possible snoring etc. But I’m very leery of visitors they “forgot” showing up at the same time. Not cool, but if you aren’t concerned for your pets or your home, I’d wait and just leave a factual review.
I have just found out that the two “guests” who were invited over were actually strangers who had come on an art course that my sitter was holding in my home ! Not sure what else I am going to find out
Whoa. That’s a nonstarter.
We’re glad you found the Forum and that @Newpetlover has welcomed you and others have jumped in to offer support. I’ll be dropping you a DM now.
Hi @suea22264 
I agree with you that the second bedroom, on its own, probably isn’t the biggest issue. If they wanted separate rooms, that should have been discussed before the sit, but I can see how that could have been sorted.
It’s the art course that really gets me. And there lies the trust issue for me. How on earth did the sitter think it was OK to turn your home into an art course without even discussing it with you?
They’re bringing people into your home, using your space, for an activity that was never agreed to. That’s a pretty big leap from having a couple of visitors drop by.
Even if you would have been happy to allow it, surely that should have been your decision to make. For me, once a sitter feels they can make decisions about how your home is used without asking, the issue becomes much bigger than the extra bedroom. That’s where the trust really breaks down.
If the strangers get hurt in your house they can go after you. I would not allow it. I am sure they are charging money for this course and maybe renting out the 2nd bedroom. I would have them leave immediately even if you have to return home. Art class, maybe paints that can stain your floor.
Oh wow, that is incredibly rude of the sitters. I would go so far as to say they have completely misrepresented themselves, and lied to you. It’s an egregious abuse of trust in my opinion. If they are busy hosting an art course, then I doubt that your pets would be getting the attention they require. As SeniorSitter also mentioned, you have the additional risk of liability should any accidents happen. If this were my home, I would be contacting THS and cancelling the sit asap.
Yes exactly and I think it is against the Terms and Conditions of THS to be using people’s homes in this way. The people had paid for an art course which she has advertised on social media !
It’s a difficult one as they seem to be looking after my cat and the house ok and we are away for another two weeks. So yes a real breach of trust with the excuse of forgetting to ask me. I think she is missing the point though- if I had known that she was running a course from my house and not just on zoom I wouldn’t have been happy even if I had been asked
That is unbelievable! Please make sure you write an honest review. They might even be charging those people to stay in your house!
This isn’t difficult please boot them out, open a formal member dispute, and book a private cat sitter. If you can write a 1* Review please do. I’m shocked beyond words.
She “forgot” to ask you that she’s hosting a PAID art course in YOUR house, a course that she put together and advertised, allowing random strangers access to your private home? Nah, there is no way that she simply “forgot”. This is a straight up lie. Please report these grifters to THS and get them out. If they’re lying about that, I’d hate to think what else they “forgot” to tell you.
Shonky and deceitful as all get out. Breaking so many rules. I can’t actually believe people are like this, makes me feel very naive.
Have THS terminate this sit asap. There is no way you have proof they are looking after your home and cats well. They have violated the Code of Conduct and T & C in numerous ways. They have completely destroyed any trust you have in them and disregarded your privacy. They do not know the people they have invited into your home to this paid art course so cannot vouch for them. If anything happened to your home or cats or to anyone on the course, your insurance company would not cover it.
You need to get your emergency contact to step in and take over, even if means boarding your cats and you having to pay for that. These sitters do not warrant your kind consideration. Get them out of your home.
@suea22264 that is appalling behaviour. I would tell them to leave. Will your insurance cover any damage?
No way did she simply forget. The audacity!
How arrogant and entitled !
If this was so important to them, they should have asked during the application process.
They need to be reported NOW .
Further, if you have neighbours, friends, etc. who can care for your animals, eviction would be appropriate.
She didn’t ask because she assumed that you’d say, “No,” and didn’t want to roll the dice. No way that she , “forgot.” None
And she has probably done this on previous sits.
PLEASE note this in your review and I hope that you, your home and your cat are ok…Again, you would not be wrong to tell her to leave.