I’m in Spring Grove PA. Fantastic dogs. Mediocre first time HOs. I don’t think they prepared during the month-advance-confirmation as requested. We are frustrated with each other but working through it. Mismatched expectations…?
A couple of things are particularly bothering me… I could use your support @Jenny and all. They sprung on me day before the start of sit that a regularly paid sitter will be entering the home twice weekly for a half hour to visit with the dogs. They wanted to “keep some regularity” for the dogs. She accused me of being controlling when i expressed my discomfort. I sent her the policy about 3rd party visitors and she still didn’t acknowledge. I ended up compromising. I allow one visit weekly and have her poop scoop since they left a large yard filled with it. They had assured me it’d be cleaned up before their 3 month stint. It was completely filled. Yes, it snowed but they could’ve maintained.
Also, they allowed the propane to go empty. Propane guy wouldn’t help me shovel the ice. The HOs blamed me for not knowing to run it through the garage. I also didn’t know when they were coming so I could’ve not been here at all to tell HOs that they did come. Two days without hot water isn’t bad but still a frustration. No apology, nothing. Blameshifted.
I won’t bore you with other frustrations.
I was grateful for at least some of their support, ie a few dollars for necessities last week. (No TP!)
I still have 10 weeks here. I do this full time. There is little gratitude coming my way. I feel treated poorly.
I’m really sorry to hear about what’s happening for you at the moment.
I’ve started a new topic for you so that we can make sure our members see your topic and can come to share some advice and support.
You did the right thing in letting the HO know about the third-party visitor policy, I’m just sorry that you ended up having to compromise. Have you reached out to Membership Services about the ongoing situation?
Can you leave @mollsyA? That’s a long time to be treated badly. If they are breaking the Ts & Cs via both a third party continuing to enter the property and not providing a clean & warm home (two days without hot water) then there must be justification to do so? It doesn’t sound like they’re very flexible or accommodating at such an early stage. Have they had sitters before? Hope you can work something out. A whole yard full of doesn’t sound nice either. #keepyourchinup
@Cuttlefish I am keeping leaving a definite option. They are first timers but I encouraged them multiple times to study the community forum and reach out with questions, policies, etc. I have 3 first timers under my belt. This is my approximate 30th housesit with THS. Never had this much trouble. I’m sure we can work it out but frustrated to say the least. Thank you for your encouragement!
How do you feel about the third party coming for the remaining 10 weeks ?
Is it a positive - for example does that give you more freedom to leave and go out for the day ? Or is it a negative intrusion into your privacy. Do you have a back up plan if this sit is curtailed ?
If this is negative for you , then you can explain to the hosts that on reflection having the previously undisclosed a third party come into the home isn’t working out for you . That you would not have applied for the sit if that information had been in the listing ( as is required ) . You can request that they cancel the visits from paid sitter for the reminder of the time that you are there or that they cancel the sit , relist with accurate information and look for another sitter who is happy with the third party arrangement.
There is also the Urgent Support Phoneline you can call - a few days without a response to your e-mails is not very helpful when you are already on a sit with a third party and no heating !!!
I’ve dropped them a line with a brief explanation of what’s happening at the moment and a request to follow up with you - please feel free to keep posting here in the meantime if it helps to chat to fellow members.
I thought it worth mentioning this article for owners, which states:
“Whether you’re welcoming sitters into your home for the first time or the tenth time, it’s always important to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for them, just as you would want to enjoy it.”
While I know every sit is different, some of the things you’ve described really don’t align with a welcoming and comfortable environment.
I think if you’re able to let them know what you need e.g. someone to speak to the owner for you, to support you in ending the sit early… that the team will be able to give you support with that.
They will also have more knowledge around owner policies and how to resolve any issues surrounding them.
doesn’t sound nice either. 
