Yes, I can see that being the case. I also strongly feel like it should be equal on all sides, and feel like apologising on behalf of all HOs, but i probably shouldn’t do that, because there are people on both sides on this platform that have either greatly misunderstood the premise or just shouldn’t be here. It bothers me that there are people like that on this platform and outside.
Trust is a fragile thing - easy to lose, hard to regain, but is a cornerstone of how a thing like THS can exist.
To me, it’s helpful when hosts come across as impolite or rude-employer-like, because then it’s easier to avoid them. 
I found that when screening for THS sits (via listings), as well as now, when getting referrals for sits via my personal network.
Yes, tone is important. I don’t mind a detailed guide, these can even be a big plus!
It needs to sound friendly though. If it doesn’t, in future, I will not go through with a sit.
Our Welcome Guide is 12 pages long, and includes all sorts of pictures, with arrows pointing to various components to assist the sitter in understanding how everything works, including appliances, utilities, the irrigation system, pet care and feeding, even the operation of windows and shutters and robot vacuum cleaners. It’s highly detailed, it’s factual, it’s instructional, and it reads like a manual. It doesn’t convey arrogance, it’s not demanding, but it certainly doesn’t come across as friendly. I never considered that a sitter would read it and say “Nah, it’s not friendly enough I’m out of here”.
That is so interesting. I know of another listing that has its own irrigation system. I believe it is located in Greece. How about that?
If you have any expensive outdoor furniture it may be an idea to mention that as well. Another host had an unfortunate experience.
Another host? Hardly.
And another thing … That listing in Greece has Starlink internet just like @Prissie mentioned having in the As a sitter, would it matter to you if HO changed internet providers? thread that is now closed.
Again, how about that?
We once did a repeat sit. On the second sit there was instructions not to use a specific cutting board. In the original sit, I noticed my husband using, what looked like to me, a decorative cutting board that has been left out in the counter. I told him to use another, hoping he hadn’t left any noticable cut marks. So when we did the repeat I was mortified to see that in her Welcome Guide. I reach out immediately and apologized. She said that another sitter had used the same decorative board. Goes to show you that we all see things differently and a little extra instructions doesn’t hurt.
Different communication styles. Lots of people here are fine with businesslike tone. (I don’t like it myself but that is a personal preference.) There is a difference between businesslike and bossy/demanding though. For example, when a guide contains a lot of “you should do this” and “you absolutely must not do that”.
Hi, I would say that the written word is so easy to misunderstand and often depends on how the reader might be feeling at the time. I’ve been told that my welcome guide is comprehensive and most sitters have loved it. We did have one who said it was ‘a lot’ who then used a door we’d asked them not to use because the key gets stuck in the lock and the key got stuck in the lock. We asked them not to put a wok in the dishwasher, they did, they ruined it and didn’t tell us.
As others have said I would go with your gut feel. Have you had a video call? Can you request a call to chat through the welcome guide and see how that goes? I was always say in the first call that my welcome guide is comprehensive and its based on previous experiences we’ve had.
Just when you’ve thought of everything, a sitter does something or asks something that had never crossed your mind, so it becomes an envolving document.
Hello everyone!
Just a quick note to say that I’ve moderated some posts in this discussion, just to keep things on topic, as I’m keen for us to keep the focus on OP 
My inbox is always open if you want to discuss any concerns around members, or you can flag posts where needed, we’re always happy to take a look!
Jenny
As a host, I too ask that the sitter take their hair out of the shower. If they don’t the shower will clog, the pan will fill up and overflow onto the bathroom floor. I know this as a fact because it is my house. I don’t think it’s too much to ask but if you don’t want to do this, don’t accept the sit..
Embarrassed to admit I had a sit where I was convinced the tap was faulty as I’d turn it on, go to adjust the temp, & it would often stop the water from flowing…adjust the temp again & it would turn on…turn off… Infuriating!
It was 2 days before I realized it was one of those “touch-activated” faucets!!! On this one, the tap handle was also touch-sensitive for activation (which I personally don’t like, as I frequently have to adjust my water temp anyway.)
Definitely something that could have gone in the WG or been covered in Orientation…
The issue is more about tone & how things get read, I think — and maybe about making assumptions (on all sides.) Your example is very valid & belongs in the WG as both helpful & important. Depending how it’s written, though, it might generate different responses:
“We ask that you please be sure to regularly check & clear shower drains of hair/etc, as we’ve had overflows in the past due to clogs.”
reads much differently than:
“Remove hair from drains after showering. I don’t think it’s too much to ask but if you don’t want to do this, don’t accept the sit.”
I’m not saying that you would phrase it like the latter, but sometimes people do get in a hurry & aren’t really thinking how their tone might be perceived when they write things, so it can be good to take a step back & re-read or get a second input before posting. Alternatively — some people really just aren’t talented at conveying tone in the written word at all, so the reader should maybe consider that possibility & look for additional clues for context before assuming the worst.
I lived in Seattle where residential composting is required, and they take meat. In fact, throwing food waste in the trash is illegal.
We are talking about a BIO compost in our garden. Imagine meat in it and then the maggots!!!
I’m finding this discussion very interesting. It would be a huge red flag to me. While I can understand pet owners being anxious, they really should be very appreciative of you providing good care for their animals. As one reply mentioned, maybe these type of owners would be better off with having a professional cleaner come before they return. It seems if they are that meticulous, you might be setting yourself up for not meeting their expectations. I would definitely be very concerned, and I would try to chat with them about my concerns. If things didn’t feel better after that chat, I would cancel.
How’s this? "Bathroom instructions
Don’t use bubble bath in the Jacuzzi. Also, the shower drain needs to be cleaned regularly. Just lift up the rectangular cover and clean out that area. This is especially important if you have long hair."?
Being a sitter on THS is already a job, we walk their animals multiple times daily, we feed them multiple times daily, in some cases medicate their animals, we water their plants, take out their garbage, bring the cans back in after, we bring in their mail, We provide a presence in their home to protect it from theft. On top of this, we pay the same membership fee and booking fee. If I saw a large amount of additional “chores” thrown out in a welcome guide, I would respectfully decline and explain why. I might even ask for a small daily fee to accommodate me for the extra “work” I’d be doing.
Sitters are undervalued because of the “work” we do for the owners who get a great savings in our services. Sitters need to speak up about this in general.