If the homeowner significantly has changed the sitters responsibilities or failed to disclose a pet’s behaviour /aggression/ medical condition . These are a breach of the T&Cs .Or if there are third parties or cameras then the sitter can ask the Homeowner to unconfirm them as sitters Or raise a member dispute about them with member services .
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So glad I’m not the only one to question S/G!!
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I expect THS to not punish me for effectively canceling a sit if the hosts change key expectations or if they’ve misled me in significant ways.
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Even if THS did try to force me to do X or go through with a sit for a host who’d made significant changes or misled me, I’d rather quit THS than do any such sit.
Why: THS is voluntary, and I pay and expect to make mutually beneficial exchanges. Why would I voluntarily allow myself to be exploited by weasels and pay for that? That would stick in my craw.
And BTW, I think it’s insane for anyone to try to trick or coerce a sitter to do anything. They are in your home with your pets and belongings. Do you really want to anger someone in those circumstances? Personally, I sure wouldn’t.
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@Lokstar I completely agree that a change in what was agreed to is a valid reason to cancel the sit. But, based on my experiences, I just don’t think MS would support the sitter.
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There is no way I’d take a sit like this unless it was a luxury home, in a location that I desperately wanted to visit, and there were no pets in the home.
I’m new at this and already surprised to see sits where the expectation is that you only leave the home for short errands and maybe an occasional dinner out. Paying even more that the trip already costs is way over the line for me.
I signed up for this because it was presented as a barter system. Either party charging fees like this negates that in my mind. But like some have already said, if sitters just say no, it will stop.
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We’ve done a few sits where we’ve paid for utilities. They’ve all been longer-term (months) and I’m OK with it; if it’s a condition of the sit one can take it or leave it. I prefer to whack on the aircon when I want and not have to be concerned about what it might cost the HO.
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I am a little late to the party here, and have read a lot of these responses. I think this request posted by the OP & other similar ones are absolutely ridiculous. Yes, it’s easy to wave it away & say “just don’t apply” or “plenty of sits,” (not so true), but it’s the audacity of edicts like this one from a HO that really ticks me off. I’m definitely not one who gouges, takes advantage or otherwise a scofflaw when in someone’s home, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to compromise my comfort for these inane requests. I’m a hot person in general. I must have A/C in warm/hot climates, but I wouldn’t run it 24/7 and would treat it just as I would in my own home. I’m already paying a membership fee, a potentially expensive flight, and many other costs — only to be told to watch the utilities usage, don’t leave the pup longer than an hour a day, take care of the horses, dogs, cats, poultry, gardens, indoor plants, and, in one case, bison (all at one place, I’ve seen). Yes, I would bypass those, but the point is I am not your slave and these requests shouldn’t even be permitted or expected. C’mon; this format is not that difficult (mostly). Keeping things simple, straightforward, pragmatic is my motto.
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Even if a sitter is thoughtful about using utilities, the bills might end up higher, because of rising costs, weather variability, individual body temp, hygiene and preferences. Hosts should expect that within reason.
This is distinctly different from irresponsible or careless sitters, who abuse utilities.
To me, in life in general, better to not punish everyone or nonguilty people by treating everyone as potentially guilty. With hospitality in particular, that’s inhospitable behavior. Better to screen sitters more effectively. Like if you’re concerned about utility bills, consider asking sitters how they handle utility usage when doing video chats. Later in welcome guides, specify how you try to maintain costs.
Note: I hire many people professionally and take a similar approach — screen carefully, but don’t treat everyone as potentially guilty or bad. Why: I don’t want to scare off or turn off the good people just because there are bad apples out there.
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We looked after two lovely pugs last winter. The owner asked us to cover the gas and electricity bills, a first for us. Uncertain about THS’s expectations, we agreed, but it’s the last time we’ll do so. The house, a spacious four-bedroom semi-detached, was plagued with black mold and rising damp, issues we weren’t informed about. by the HO. We had left our lovely warm home, which was mold-free to pay for this environment was unacceptable. I regret paying the HO for such conditions, which shouldn’t have been approved by THS.
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I think the point of your post is primarily in regard to electricity costs. In the past I have requested that the sitter pay for extra costs (the terms were discussed with the sitter and agreed so please don’t shoot me for writing what happened). In the summer it is possible for a sitter to keep an air con unit running 24/7 and in the colder season to keep electric heaters running in each room. The bills could run into the 100’s of euros and extremely excessive over what the animals need or are used to.
The sitters that agreed to these terms used the same mount of electricity that I would have used and they paid nothing. I paid all bills as to be expected so there was no need to refund them as someone here posted. Its a reasonable agreement when you are living in a country with potentially VERY high electrical costs and extreme weather patterns (and long sits).
I do not understand why this topic keeps coming up. If a sitter doesn’t want to agree to the terms of the sit they can just pass it by. However I get it that some people just like to be incensed that the world does not work on their terms solely.
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I had similar experience, except learned about the potential need to contribute to paying for AC/Heater bill if it exceed their “typical (monthly) rate”, however, this was disclosed after I’d agreed and I was not aware of their typical monthly rate. Therefore, I was worried about using heater, despite cold weather. That being said, was concerned about whether or not this is something I should mention in my review. Would appreciate thoughts/recommndations, as I’m still fairly new to TH. Thank you!
@Stellaluna part of the review is a section
accurate listing - if you feel that not mentioning additional charges to the sitter in the listing and during conversation you had before agreeing to sit was not accurate you can deduct a star in this category and mention the reason for this in your review .
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@Stellaluna i agree with @Silversitters you should mention this and drop a star. The host misled you by not disclosing the requirement to pay any excess utility cost therefore causing you unnecessary anxiety during the sit about potential costs.
This is not OK. Extra utility costs have to be discussed and agreed before confirming a sit so you have the opportunity to agree or withdraw.
This is actually sneaky & unethical behaviour- to trap you in the sit agreement and then spring it on you later. If such a situation occurs in future you have every right to refuse to pay extra or to cancel the sit.
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Absolutely include this in the review @Stellaluna (if it is not too late). That was a very underhanded tactic by the HO.
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@Stellaluna I agree…mention it and drop a star for accurate listing.
You could say something like:
“All things considered this was a fine sitting experience but would not return, as I prefer not to accept listings that require sitters to pitch in for utilities, which was disclosed to me after the sit was confirmed.”
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@MaggieUU; @Lokstar ; @Silversitters
Thank you for your feedback and suggestions! I’ve felt conflicted because the host was nice friendly, and encouraged me to turn on heater (2 days in) via text when she checked in to inquire about how things were going. *However, I was a bit taken a back when I learned this after the fact (literally reading through the “Welcome Guide” after they left). 
I’d also wasn’t aware of the “Welcome Guide” via TH inbox, since all previous sits only provided hard copy of care instructions (or via text).
However, she also failed to mention (in post) that senior dog is deaf, likely has urinary incontinence, and experiences seizures!! 
I was mortified thinking it was a medical emergency, until I sent text & it was normalized (“He does get a bit stiff in his old age & then gets over it”). 
Again she was very nice, so didn’t know how to incorporate these concerns in my review.
Don’t know whether you’re under the impression that THS screens each home, but they definitely don’t. They wouldn’t be aware of mold at the home unless it had been reported to them by a sitter.
@Stellaluna future potential sitters need to know about this. Had you not been able to get in contact with the owner you might have taken the dog to the vet thinking it was a medical emergency and incurred vet bills . Would the owner have reimbursed you ? All health information should be disclosed in order for a sitter to be able to take proper care of the pets . So include this sentence or similar in your review . I wish I had been told that xx
This serves 2 purposes
1)preparing future sitters
2) notifying the owner that sitters need this information and it should be included in the listing and welcome guide - they may then decide to adjust their listing to avoid similar reviews in future.
It’s up to you how you rate the sit overall . However there are a couple of sections in the review where you should give an accurate rating about the important information that’s missing from the listing and welcome guide .
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As well as the 2 categories @Silversitters has mentioned, you could also take off a star for Accuracy of Listing @Stellaluna. The owners may be lovely but they have omitted important information in their listing or pre-confirmation chat which is not right. With reviews being ‘blind’ now, you can leave an honest, factual review.
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