I have found a sit and had a chat with the HOs. The sit lines up perfectly for me. It is a longer one, too, which is really nice as I am a fully nomadic sitter.
However, they share a communal space which has two separate entrances for a tenant who sometimes rents. I did remind them of the THS policy rule (first time HOs), but they reiterated I probably wouldn’t see anyone.
How would you all feel about this?
‘Probably’ wouldn’t cut it for me personally. Also if you commit to this longer sit you may be stuck with the situation if they are around more than expected. You have no idea who this person is.
@goldensungirl, this seems notably subjective to your lifestyle preferences and risk appetite.
Housesitting, at its best, is a fair trade. Houseitters have different situations, objectives and preferences. Suggest reflect on how attractive is the housesit listing (dates, duration, pets, location, property, etc); identify any other concerns; and reflect on how important the tenant occupancy is to you. No right answers here - but choices.
This seems highly unspecific. Seek data (number days expected occupancy) from pet parent. Suggest have an open conversation with Pet Parent. Demand for listings varies a whole lot - so their response may vary depending on confidence of pet parent in finding alternative housesitters. There is nothing to stop you - should you so choose - stating that you would confirm sit, but on the condition that the rental unit be unoccupied during housesit dates. Clearly Pet Parent may want otherwise - choices.
What do you mean by communal space ?
A Shared entrance in a city is not uncommon, if the main living area can be locked so that no one has access to the area that you will be staying in .
Or is it shared kitchen , bathroom , living room , which is a different thing all together and breaks the THS terms .
Don’t settle for a sit that you are uncomfortable with - just because dates align . You will regret it .
You can’t force the hosts to change their living arrangements . You can decline the sit . You can report the listing to THS if it is a breach of the terms . Here’s a link to the third party policy
https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360001881117-Third-party-policy
This is a phrase that I hear all the time from HOs
I interpretate it as “You will see or hear from them everyday”
I wouldn’t go for it as I like my privacy
As Silversitters say - what is this really about?
If it is areas you would normally use, like living room, kitchen, bathroom, then there could also be possibilities of challenges concering guests (day or night), noise, cleaning/ clutter and such. Which could also have effects of a review in addition to comfort of stay. If it is a shared entrance area, stairs and such or a shared laundry room etc. that would be more common and less concerning to me.
Whether people are there or not seems like something the host or you can’t really know, re. post from Itchyfeet.
Communal spaces are typically courtyards, laundry rooms, gyms, coworking spaces, etc. Do you mean they rent a room out and then it would basically be a roommate situation? Sharing communal spaces is not uncommon in an apartment building or condo community, but if it is shared living space, that is completely different.
Do what works best for and your comfort level….don’t let someone talk you into a situation. They are the one in need of a sitter and will tell you what they think you want to hear to take the sit.
If a bathroom, kitchen, living room, den, or sitting room is communal then I’d take a hasty pass on the sit.
If I wanted to share communal spaces with someone then it needs to be a person I know and trust.
If it is any of the above listed shared space then it’s against THS rules.
It’s a quick and big fat no for me. Especially when you’ve mentioned the rule to the HO and they brush it away saying you won’t likely see anyone else. Nope, they are trying to pull a fast one IMO.
You need to give a little more info about which communal spaces you are sharing. As long as we had our own bathroom and kitchen, we’d be fine (depending on whether we really wanted to be in that area).
I’m confused about the nature of the space. Is it a hallway with separate opartment entrances? Is it a kitchen? A bathroom? A yard? Could you explain?
No. no. no.
Where is this sit?
In expensive areas of the US, it is fairly common to live this way. Each tenant has their own locked bedroom, and common areas are shared.
Or…the hosts own the home but “rent out a bedroom” on Airbnb or similar, for extra income. Perhaps they have a “regular” renter who uses this room when they need to work in the area, like a traveling nurse.
Both of these are against THS terms. Set your boundaries.
Nope… I wouldn’t do it