OMG I sure hope you leave an honest review. I wouldn’t dream of inviting guests without approval. How entitled. (We often ask about 2 bedrooms during the video call as we are sleep incompatible 95% of the time when traveling.)
Please mention these things in your review.
Everyone’s already said pretty much what I would too – get them out. I hope you have a backup person that can cover for you.
I’d have fits if that was in my house.
I’m very curious to know if they had other reviews?
The rules all members sign up to are clear- guest are not approved without the hosts permission and even if a host does permit guests they must be approved in advance .
“Sitters must remember that they are staying in a pet parent’s home and be respectful to not allow unauthorised third parties to be present on the sit unless they say it is okay to do so.
A sitter must not allow any guests or third parties to attend the sit or enter a pet parent’s property without prior consent from the pet parent.”
Future hosts need to be warned about this -
What if something is accidentally broken there will be no cover for this - and what if something is stolen the sitter may not even have contact details for these strangers in your home .
The sitter maybe taking care of the cat but she is not being responsible about taking care of your privacy or security of your home . This is the main responsibility of a house sitter .
Because of pet sitters like that, trust between HO and PS is being ruined, and cameras are being installed more and more. They should be banned from THS.
I know some HOs who would simply leave the THS platform because of this bad experience.
Those people are ruining the pet-sitting model.
Yes it’s very sad. She maintains it was a mistake that she “forgot” to tell me even though when asked I was told by both of them they were friends and then when I found out about the course asked them again and they told me the truth They have over 30 5 star reviews but my worry is that maybe others ( where she held the courses) never really knew what was going on
@suea22264 That’s even worse, knowing they are experienced sitters and have completely disregarded the trust you have placed in them and been so dishonest.
People think they are going to their house. I doubt if they tell them they are pet sitting. How did you find out they were holding a course?
What kind of Art course is it, that they needed another bedroom for it?
also, report to THS, give them a 1 star and let it be a lesson that just because they are allowed to stay in someone’s home, doesn’t mean they are allowed to treat it like they own it.
My personal opinion, make them give you 1/2 of whatever they’re making from the course. Asking for that $ doesn’t violate any THS T&Cs, right?
Also, who knows, maybe these sitters have set up a traveling brothel under the guise of pet sitting.
Anyway, your review and dispute should hopefully get them tossed from THS.
This beyond belief what they are doing.
Your sitters are completely wrong, but with all of those great reviews, your home and pets are probably going to be fine. As annoying as it is, perhaps it is easier to enjoy your time away and not worry about it. Tough decision. I hope it all works out! 
When I have zoom meetings while I’m on a sit, I use a virtual background out of respect for the homeowners privacy, I can’t imagine bringing strangers in to their home. They should 100% know this was not their decision to make.
I saw it on Instagram. They were advertising the venue with the village name and time saying that it was 85 GB pounds or euros which included snacks and coffee , refreshments and booking was for up to 4 people . It was also advertised on Facebook . The previous housesit was also advertised for the end of August so not sure if they knew. Think it is difficult for homeowners to contact each other on the app/ website
The bedroom wasn’t being used for the course - the couple are sleeping separately because of different sleep / rising habits I believe. I’m not sure where the course took place but definitely in the house
Take screenshots of the Facebook / instagram adverts and raise a member dispute with THS - (member services don’t read or respond to posts on the forum)
Only then will THS investigate this sitter for breaching the third party policy -and potentially ban them from the platform.
https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/pages/member-dispute-resolution-procedure/
They absolutely should be booted off! Previous good reviews or no (and that’s quite surprising). The art course might be something that wasn’t held at other sits, who knows, but it makes you wonder. And is not OK now. They outright lied to you about “friends” visiting. Are they serving the “friends” your snacks and coffee too?? 
Really feel for you – hope you can get it sorted and that THS member services will communicate with you and help.
I think the key thing here is they have betrayed my trust so however you look at it that’s the issue. Of course I will have a good break but I think it’s important to realise what’s happening for now they have acted inappropriately on many levels and it’s important to act upon instead of brushing is under the carpet which is an option I am not prepared to carry out!
Thanks so much - this is really helpful information
They have held the courses at other housesits. I have seen the advertisements
@suea22264 Have you actually got proof the course is being run in your home or only the advertising of the village as that will be what THS will want? Could they have hired the village hall if there is one? Can you check this? Have the sitters stated it in their messages when you have asked them? That would be proof too. Photograph all of these to raise a dispute.
