We have only had three great sits so far. I have a question about sitters having guests.
Our sitters (a couple) were wonderful. They were clean, responsive, communicated clearly and most of all, loved our pets! However, as I was scanning our outdoor camera (which they were told about and is on our listing) for an errant groundhog spotted on our balcony, I ran across our sitters (about a week ago) with company on our deck.
I know it is against THS policy to have unauthorized guests at the home. These were trustworthy folks, so I have to assume their guests are as well. However, we do live right on the water and itâs a draw in the summer. I am really not comfortable with other sitters having unacknowledged guests.
Do I post in my listing (which seems rather harsh when itâs in the rules.) Mention it at the interview? Your experiences with this are most welcome!
Your house, your rules. I would have hoped the sitter would have asked first. Going forward, if itâs an issue for you I would include the no guests rule in your listing.
Yes, an honest review is always best.
Some hosts do note in their listings that sitters canât invite guests. You can word it along the lines of, unfortunately, weâre not comfortable with sitters inviting guests over. The tone of how you word it matters. If you say bluntly, no guests allowed, that might sound off putting.
Sorry this happened, itâs a real breach of trust - and totally unnecessary as you say you donât want unauthorised guests, so it sounds like had they just asked it wouldnât have been an issue.
How experienced were the sitters, do you know how long they had been using THS? as most sitters wouldnât do this.
Did you put anything in the welcome guid? Thatâs a good place to add it. You could add a gentle line in your listing âif you think youâd like a guest to visit during the sit please let us know so we can chat about itâ
Of course you post it on your listing. Anything that makes either party uncomfortable is not acceptable. If sitters donât like the rules, jog on by.
No, not in your listing. Itâs part of the rules we all sign up to that there are no guests unless we first ask for permission and it is granted.
Please please please donât write your profile for the sitters you DONâT want, write it for the sitters you DO want. Youâll have much more success in attracting the sitters you want that way.
As sitters, when we read a profile that lays out certain ground-rules that are part and parcel of THSâs terms, it just makes an owner look negative and hard-to-get-along with, as though weâre not going to be able to relax, so itâs really off-putting and we click away, because caring for pets is fun fun fun & happy happy happy, not rules, regs, and negative thoughts. First impressions count.
But yes mention it after that if you want, because it is totally understandable. Just donât mention it as your first impression.
I think initially itâs worth messaging and asking them about their guests- they might have simply not realised it was an issue (not everyone reads the THS T&C). Iâd gently enquire and just indicate surprise and let them explainâŚ.
If we had a friend over for dinner, I would ask the home host if it was ok, If we had a friend sit in the garden I would not think it necessary to ask permission.
âNo guestsâ to me means no one in the home.
Thatâs an interesting indoors/outdoors distinction so itâs why I think Iâd simply ask the sitters in a WhatsAppmessageâŚ.and not make assumptions without further information.
Personally Iâd never bother a home host on holiday to ask if a friend could sit in their garden - there is a line of ridiculousness which I think that crosses.
Well I suppose we always explore upfront these possibilities and we send details and a photo of anyone weâd like to have permission to visit the HOâs home be it outside/inside.
Weâre with @Colin here on the âif they sat in the garden and had a glass of waterâ type drop in then that isnât worth bothering the host with. The only way to know for sure is to ask as @BonnyinBrighton says. Gently so you get an honest & non defensive answer would be a wise plan otherwise penalising them without full facts seems harsh. #dontknowtillyouask
As @BonnyinBrighton says, I wouldnât make assumptions without knowing what actually happened.
For all we know the friends might have popped by and the sitters would have a chat on the deck with the purpose of not having guests in the home of the host.
When we talk about not having guests in the home I admit that I interpret that as inviting and entertaining guests inside the home.
Brings to mind another topic where a friend came by with a forgotten scarf and had a chat with the sitter inside the frontdoor when delivering which caused great turmoil.
For me having guests in the home is different from having a chat at the front door, even if they cross the threshold, being on deck or in the garden.
I havenât had guests anywhere on the property not mentioned in application. So havenât really been in the situation. I think it is a good idea in general to not assume to much, but rather ask before making a judgment.
The terms says:
5.3.10. not allow any other person(s) to participate in the sit unless they have been approved in writing by the Pet Parent ;
I would say that could give different perceptions on whether someone could come by and have a chat outside? Also given that any person, delivery persons, neighbors, friends could come to the front door and ring the bell in any errand.
Is it mentioned other places? Tried to search the terms of THS and the Member Code of Conduct?
Personally, I wouldnât invite anyone else over to someoneâs home without permission, regardless of whether they sat inside or out. Thatâs because of pragmatics, like what if your friend needed the toilet or say someone fell and were injured on the hostâs property â in some countries, liability automatically defaults to the host in such cases. Thereâs also the question of whether the host wants their pets exposed to strangers on their turf. That can stress out some pets, especially reactive ones.
If I didnât want to discuss guests with hosts, then Iâd just meet my guests off the property.
As a guest â whether as a sitter or otherwise â I think itâs basic courtesy to not invite anyone to someone elseâs home without their agreement.
You donât have to go the full âNo Guestsâ. You could just say âTrustworthy guests possible, by discussion.â Or some such. That would make it clear that just having people round without your permission is a no-no, but youâre not putting your foot down altogether.
I wouldnât do it just because itâs discourteous to your host.
Simply brilliant @HappyDeb. I do admire your posts.
Well said and supported @Maggie8K . It is just unreasonable to invite guest into someoneâs else home either inside or outside.
Thereâs is also the Third party Policy
https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360001881117-Third-party-policy
Which says
âIn line with our sitter and pet parent guidelines, and to ensure the security and privacy of all members, pets and homes, we do not allow other people on the property whilst a sit is ongoing. â
âA sitter must not allow any third parties to attend the sit or enter a pet parentâs property without their consent prior to arranging the sit.â