I had to leave a bad review for a sitter who caused damage to my home and the sitter sent me an email written as a negative review of me, but the sitter’s account is no longer active and I don’t see any response to my review on the site. The response was full of false allegations and I found it very disturbing.
Any suggestions on how to proceed? If the sitter’s account is inactive, does the response appear under my listing?
It won’t show on your profile. If they’ve left the platform then you’re protected (& if the 14 days has passed and there’s nothing on your listing). If it’s aggressive or insulting you could share it with MS so they have a record of it too. #nextsitterplease
An email sent to you by another member won’t show on your profile regardless of whether that member had a prior confirmed past sit with you.
If they’re inactive they can’t leave a reply to your review nor post a review of their own. The window to leave a review is 14 days following the sit, but a member can reply to a review at any time, there is no expiration date. It’s conceivable that if this member reactivates their account they could then reply to your review but that’s not nearly as harmful as a bad review, as most potential hosts won’t go as far as to read reviews you’ve left for others and even if they did, and saw a retaliatory reply, it will be obvious that they are simply trying to make themselves look better by challenging what you wrote about them so whatever they do say won’t be given all that much credibility.
The short answer is “there’s nothing for you to do at this point”, unless you want to open a dispute with member services about the damage caused by the sitter. I think the window to do that is 30 days after the end of the sit.
@SunnyJim, sorry that you felt cause to give a negative review. It happens - that’s the whole point, and benefit, of the review system.
+1 to advice from @Cuttlefish.
We’d further encourage that you move inbound email to a folder where you cannot see it; block the person’s email address in your email client; and make yourself a lovely cup of coffee, tea, cocktail or other pleasure. False allegations by email have no impact on THS. You could open a formal THS Member Dispute but, given member has left THS, the objective seems unclear. Unless you intend to somehow progress this topic then suggest let it go. There’s plenty of really lovely THS members. Onwards to a better tomorrow 
Thank you for leaving an accurate review - there are so many great sitters who the deserve 5 star reviews that they receive .
I think letting go is something I’ve learnt to do through the whole THS experiences of serial pet sitting. One of the big positives is that sits come to an end ! Even ones I’ve really enjoyed, I wouldn’t want to continue much after their last day. It’s good to take on new pets and challenges. I also enjoy going back to repeats but I like to think I’m always ready to strike out afresh.
It still upsets me when I don’t feel appreciated for what I try to achieve, but in the overall big picture it’s a minor quibble. The more great reviews you have the less any blip matters.
One home owner responded when I said I had been embarrassed and upset by a previous 4 star review- well 4 star is pretty good too!
I never thought of myself as a perfectionist but in this area I really do strive for the best result. I wouldn’t want a half hearted housesitter in my own home!
Maybe the fact the sitter came off the site they realised Housesitting isn’t for everyone and it’s not stress free. If you lack confidence in doing a great job then that’s a definite hurdle. I look back on my reviews and when I need a boost think those people all thought I was great! It can feel like one is walking a tight rope but my best sits have been where I have felt the confidence and support of the Home Owner backing me up. A helpful and reassuring neighbour can also
make a significant difference.
My present sit is unexpectedly challenging as we are experiencing a heatwave in southern Europe just now and being on the top floor apartment with no lift is beginning to bite. It affects your energy levels ,your morale,your delivery.. All you can do is your best. I’m lucky that I can still sleep in this heat and wake refreshed each morning to carry on. Such changes are no one’s fault but I’m hoping the Home Owner recognises that the sit has become more irksome as a result.
When I find myself thinking ‘I don’t have to do this!’ Why am I still going out on a limb?
I think of the great reviews and remember I like a challenge! A new review can give one the necessary recharge to keep on going.
I would encourage you to make a report with THS as a precaution. She may reactivate her profile in the future and maybe she replied to you on her profile just before she took it off. You can reactivate your profile here. Not sure of the time line to do that.
@SeniorSitter1 Why do you assume it’s a ‘she’? The poster has appropriately not included that detail.
True, must be 10 characters
You say the email review (which will not affect your actual THS account) is disturbing. I would forward that email to Member Support support@trustedhousesitters.com as a precautionary measure with an explanation of what occurred on your sit. I have no idea how a de-activated account works and if they can reactivate it. Having that email in THS hands in a timely manner may protect you later should the sitter make a reply to your review that is untrue or otherwise against THS rules. Then move on.
