Posting review please

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
1

Hi, We’re new to this site and are having some trouble getting a sitter. We had one lined up but she unexpectedly cancelled our September stay.

We’d appreciate your input on how we can improve our listing.

thank you,

Thomas

(Member’s listing is in their Forum profile)

2

Ok here’s your issue, as soon as I read you had a ‘quiet tenant’ in the Basement I stopped reading…..

3

Basement tenants are extremely common in the Lower Mainland (and many other parts of Canada). I get that it might be odd to some sitters from other countries, but it’s really not a big deal here. No different from an apartment sit.

A month-long sit in the Vancouver area in September is appealing and I’m sure you’ll get some applications again.

4

The tenant has his own separate entrance and washer/dryer facility.

5

Is the tenant unit fully self contained? That is, it has its own kitchen and bathroom? It is there by expectation of shared facilities? Whatever the answers, clarify the situation in your profile. As it reads now, most sitters would run for the hills.

6

Could you possibly re-word it to say:

“The basement of the house is occupied by a long-term tenant, who is very quiet and has his own facilities. But please be assured that during your stay, you’ll have exclusive use of the main living areas and upper floors of the house, along with the garden.”

7

Sounds like a Great sit, but the tenant has to be in a separate self contained unit or it’s not gonna meet THS criteria. So can you use those words… separate self contained unit? That’d help​:blush:. Also, the cat‘s “requests “ for gravy several times in morning and at night sounds like it could be an ongoing meowing situation?! That’s a bit high maintenance, I’d think. Maybe clarify it’s only during the actual Mealtime? Good luck and it’ll be fine once you’re clear about the separate self contained unit I’m sure!

8

I wouldn’t mention it at all, just as you wouldn’t list the details of all the tenants in an apartment building. At most, I would call it a “two-flat” or “duplex” or whatever the term is in your region.

9

I think mentioning it is important, or else you’ll end up with a sitter who feels like it’s a bait-and-switch. There are plenty of sitters who do not do sits in apartments and feel watched by a tenant even when there isn’t any shared space or entrance at all. Better to just get it out there so sitters can go into it informed.

10

Absolutely! I won’t even do basement Airbnbs unless there’s no other option, after staying in a couple that had stompy owners upstairs. (Also Canada.) I think a basement is not necessarily as soundproof as an apartment building, so it definitely needs to be disclosed, which you have.

Otherwise my thoughts were, “walking distance” to town centre… for whom? 20something joggers, or seniors with a bad knee? It would be more helpful to state the actual distance.
Is the litter box outside? “Accessible from the deck” confused me.
Maybe you could make the listing more appealing by stating what there is to do in the area: are there any parks, museums, art galleries, concert venues, cultural stuff, whatever visitors might be interested in. Maybe offer a transit pass if sitters don’t have a car?

Good luck; hope you find a great sitter.

11

@Tallguyvr, welcome to THS Forum.

Prior to full-time housesitting, we lived in the Vancouver area. We think that your month long sit is likely attract some housesitters. We offer listing input as follows-

  • Tenant - Perhaps unlike some comments, we don’t see basement tenant as big issue. In our view, the tenants are not ‘third parties’ per THS Third Party Policy as they do not share any facilities. That said, there are some horror stories on THS Forum about third parties on-site during housesit (roommates, workmen, etc). Your listing language seems sufficient.
  • Location - This may be your challenge. Housesitter applicants may be non-local, indeed may be international. Tssawwassen may be unknown to them, and it’s a distance from downtown Vancouver. Non-local applicant may not have a car. Suggest extend listing content to include information about your local area; any attractions; any transit connections to Vancouver; distance to Vancouver & Vancouver airport. Suggest consider offering use of a vehicle to housesitters (subject to their driving record). Consider, if appropriate, that you may be able to collect housesitter from Vancouver airport. Consider, if appropriate, stating that housesitter may be able to arrive a day early or leave a day late (often helps flight logistics)
  • Photos - Consider including some photos of Vancouver tourist attractions that a housesitter may credibly complete, given pet care responsibilities
  • Pets - We do not perceive pet care (one cat) as problematic, indeed it may attract non-local applicants
  • Property - There are some premium property listings in the Vancouver area but we do not perceive your property as problematic. And one month listing is appealing to many.
  • Other - Amenities completed. No silly date/time expectations

Good luck!