This is precisely why I unplug and completely cover any Amazon devices on my sits (and refuse to own such devices myself). Keep in mind, that for some people their televisions have built-in Alexa capability. So the TV might be listening to you. Probably unplugging the TV would be enough as I doubt any TVs have enough backup battery for the Alexa functionality to work when not plugged in. (Most security cameras, however, DO have battery backup)
I generally just make sure I never have private conversations in an HO’s home, or if I must do so I select a room that at least appears to have no electronic devices in it, and use a white noise machine. Though I do cover up/disconnect any cameras I might find, I don’t worry too much about being seen unclothed - that will probably be more traumatic for them than it is for me!
I can’t directly reply to your comment, but yes home owners who violate the ToS by employing indoor cameras should have their ID’s and addresses barred from creating any new profiles with THS. However, ths needs to make sure the home owner sees the warning and checks off boxes so that they know what they’re up for.
This needs to pop up for every listing. Many HOs with cameras do not disclose them. I’ve done a lot of sits with external cameras, probably 25 or so. Only about 4 or 5 of those sits disclosed the cameras in the listing. Maybe THS is not aware that people are not disclosing cameras and many are not aware that they are even required to do so. There should be a pop up for all new listing and new dates for HOs to confirm that they have disclosed their cameras. THS really needs to take a more active approach to ensuring that cameras are disclosed and that HOs understand that internal cameras/recording devices are not allowed at all. This is an issue that is becoming more and more common. As a member, I feel that THS has a responsibility to take some action.
Hey everyone. I understand that this topic has been discussed before but I feel like mine has a different perspective to it.
Recently, I had a two-day sit where I found 3 indoor (kitchen, living door, utilities room) and 2 outdoor cameras which haven’t been disclosed to me prior to /during my arrival. I believe they were all operational at the time of my sit for two reasons:
obvious one - they had green lights on
HO texted me messages which were related to what we were doing.
As it was only a short sit, I decided to close my eyes on it. However, it made me feel super uncomfortable.
I had a look at the review of previous HS and all of them are positive 5 start reviews saying how nice the HO were. I feel like if I post a bad review, I would decrease my chances for a sit in the future. And I do write a bed review, how do I put it?
Please report them–they’re operating in bad faith and IMO aren’t acting in the spirit of trusting your house sitter that makes TH work for both sitters and homeowners.
I think this is a step in the right direction, but it’s still too easy to miss.
On another pet sitting platform we’re members of, homeowners are required to actively check a box and acknowledge key terms before their listing can go live. These include:
I will vacate the home for the duration of the sit, and no third parties will be present.
I do not have any indoor cameras or recording devices or have turned them off.
I have disclosed all outdoor cameras.
This kind of upfront transparency protects both sitters and homeowners and sets clear expectations from the start. I’d love to see something similar implemented here on THS, ideally in a way that can’t be skipped or overlooked. Thank you.
Factually mention this in your review plus remove a star for Accuracy of Listing @koko2. Other sitters need to be aware. Also report to THS. Do you have photos of the internal cameras as evidence?
perhaps there needs to be a check in button to click when the sitter has arrived that reminds the home owner that no cameras are allowed during the sit.
@koko2
If you are sure that these are cameras ( not motion detectors for an alarm system ) You can raise a member dispute about the internal cameras and undisclosed external ones after both reviews have been published . Which will be up to 14 days after the sit
( you must submit a member dispute within 30 days of the completion of the relevant house sit)
Then THS will investigate as and you will already have received your review which can’t be changed .
They can’t see your review until they post one themselves @koko2 so you could wait until the reviews are done & then report them. BUT you’re also not doing anything other than asking THS to tell this HO that they are breaking the Ts & Cs they agreed to. It’s not bad, it’s simply a fact. And future sitters have to know it happens so it’s your job to tell them. And THS can tell them nicely after all….#allabouthecomms
I 100% agree with you. I’m currently on a sit where I reminded the host about the rules—I linked them directly to the rules webpage—and despite this, the cameras were still on when I arrived at the sit. I unplugged 3 cameras now, and I am worried that there may be hidden cameras somewhere else, so now the task of digging through this person’s belongings falls onto me to protect my own privacy. I don’t like having to do this, and I wish it weren’t so commonplace to have cameras which are clearly there to monitor the sitters due to mistrust or anxiety on the owner’s behalf. Those feelings are completely valid, and I understand why they put hidden cameras in the house, but I also find it disrespectful and I dislike that it looks poorly on me when I bring it up or that I now have to deal with the fear of getting a bad review due to unplugging cameras (simply following the rules).
Really? I honestly can’t wrap my head around how someone on TRUSTED Housesitters would install hidden cameras inside the house. If I discovered something like that — and already found three cameras — I’d let the owners know that I’ll be leaving within the next 24 hours and ask them to activate their backup plan. If they don’t have one, but are clearly breaking the rules, well… lesson learned hopefully.
I will vacate the home for the duration of the sit, and no third parties will be present.