My dealbreaker is that it must be a non-smoking home and that is included in my application
As this is in the sitter’s section of the forum.
These are our deal breakers for sits ( both THS sits and paid sits)
Clean and clutter free home with a guest room for the sitter . We look at the photos and past reviews that specifically state how clean the home is .
Non Smoking home - this is in our profile and we apply for sits where hosts state that they require non smokers .
Must be able to walk the dogs from the property ( not be required to transport them for their daily exercise ). We confirm this in our video call.
Host must provide a Welcome Guide promptly on confirmation of the sit ( It doesn’t have to be the THS one ). We discuss this in our video call.
Host must provide an emergency contact and have arrangements in place to pay any emergency vet bills for their pets - we discuss this in the video call.
No internal cameras and any outdoor ones disclosed - we ask specifically about this in our video call .
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Do you list these in you HS profile or just bring them up during conversation/check the HO profile?
@bakindoki Actually, a little of both. We think that some dealbreakers are good to have in the listing while others are best to discuss during our video chats (because some dealbreakers might not apply, such as a pet having accidents in the home, for example).
Either way, no sit is confirmed (as sitters or HOs) until we’ve covered all these points.
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I, like many others here, apply my ‘dealbreakers’ at the deciding-to-apply stage. If a sit wouldn’t suit me (too many animals, messy house etc), I just don’t apply.
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Yikes! Never would I have thought of this and never would I ever. I’m more of the ‘live and let live’ kind of girl. Also, there is karma.
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@ChiaGrowth, we’ve come across devices that we personally define with THS Camera & Recording Devices Policy on many housesits. While THS policy does not define devices, it is clear on disclosures (listing plus welcome guide) and clear on acceptable use in terms of cameras (external permitted, internal not permitted). We find that Pet Parent compliance with disclosures on external cameras is patchy; with internal cameras is mostly ok (though bad exception); and with ‘recording devices’ is negligible. THS does not appear to enforce this policy at all.
Your question has made us reflect - thank you 
. We should include relevant statement in our profile - for us, we’re totally with external cameras but that’s it. We should also include our subjective definition of ‘recording devices’ (that we subjectively include Amazon Alexa, Google Home, etc devices - some have audio and/or video features). Probably nuts but we carry a handheld device that has found plenty of devices that we consider under THS policy, so disconnect from power supply.
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Can you share the device you use?
@bakindoki, over two years ago we bought a device from Amazon by Kizzox - an unknown vendor that seems to have ceased trading. At that time, we found no related products by reputable branded companies, so had to take a punt on a best-guess manufacturer. If other Forum members have identified good, portable solutions that find hidden devices then we’d welcome insight.
Hi @bakindoki
This is an interesting question and will help other sitters!
It’s absolutely fine to continue the discussion here - the previous discussion is from 2024 so I wouldn’t want your question to get lost in older posts.
Glad to see some of our members have popped on and shared their thoughts with you 
Jenny
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Here’s a list of my personal deal breakers as a HS, and why they matter to me:
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Cleanliness
This is my number one. A simple personal benchmark for me is: if I feel comfortable walking barefoot around the house, everything is fine. That doesn’t mean spotless or sterile, but properly clean. If I find hair in the sink or visible dust on surfaces when I arrive, I know the home wasn’t cleaned thoroughly. (it has happened a few times)
Now I don’t apply for sits where the photos already show a lack of care or order. If someone doesn’t make the effort for the listing photos, the risk is simply too high for me.
I saw another sitter mention in their profile that kitchen and bathroom need to be very clean. I actually think that’s a great idea and something I may adopt myself. -
Pet behaviour, boundaries and sleep
Pet behaviour should be described honestly and realistically. Not sugar-coated, not dramatised. This includes things like nighttime vocalising, very needy behaviour, loudness, or high attention demands. For longer sits, regular sleep disruption is a deal breaker for me. I believe it should be possible for pets, even if they normally sleep in the bedroom with their owners, to sleep outside the bedroom during a house-sit. For a week, many things are manageable. For a month or longer, this becomes essential. -
Clear expectations and communication
If homeowners expect regular updates (e.g. updates morning and evening, especially in the first days) this should be clearly communicated upfront.
In general, expectations work best when they’re stated in advance rather than mentioned afterwards with “it would have been nice if…”. Clear communication avoids frustration on both sides. -
Structure and guidance (Welcome Guide)
I understand that creating a Welcome Guide takes time and can feel overwhelming for the first time. I don’t need to know which light switch controls which lamp but anything that can’t be googled or easily guessed:– bin collection days
– medication schedules
– rules that are important to you (for example, no dogs on the sofa) -
Environment, noise level and surroundings
I always ask about the surroundings, especially for longer sits. This includes nearby construction, traffic noise, close neighbours, or children in the immediate vicinity, if that isn’t already clear from the listing.I value quiet environments, and for longer stays (longer than three weeks), this matters a lot. For a short city sit, I wouldn’t even ask of course.
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As a homeowner I clearly say that we don’t accept other pets, families and that there are no parties and overnight guests allowed.
There certainly are dealbreakers but I only communicate these during a video call or in writing after the application.
Some things just put me off but nothing to be stated in a listing.
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Have you ever had cats? You either allow them in the bedroom or you don’t, but there’s no changing this by a sitter. Your sleep would be much more disrupted by not allowing them in the bedroom if they are used to sleeping there.
If a homeowner says they are allowed in bed and you rather sleep without pets, I would recommend not to apply for this sit. Or at least mention it to the homeowner, because they know their pets and can tell you if that’s a good idea 
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There are cats who will break down the door, and there are cats that will scratch twice and then think “whatever” and walk away. I think the cats in the second category are ok even for light sleepers.
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Tell that to a sitter who is staring at the ceiling at 3 am because she’s sitting for a cat in the first category.
That’s what I meant by “ask the homeowner”. Mine would scratch all night.
But I wouldn’t want them to be banned from their usual sleeping spot even if they didn’t make a ruckus. For me it’s either accept them in the bedroom or skip the sit.
That’s definitely a thing to be discussed and made clear from both sides.
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I highlight cleanliness, fridge and freezer space in my profile, along with THS dealbreakers such as internal cameras, aggressive pets and third-parties staying at the home.
During our video chat, I relay that I need host departure and arrival times in writing before I make travel arrangements. Likewise with the welcome guide (though the format/platform for that doesn’t matter to me).
For me, that’s worked well. I’ve had great sits. The only one that could’ve been notably better was one where the hosts clearly tidied, but their kitchen and dining room were dirty. That sit early on taught me to look specifically for written comments about cleanliness (in sitter reviews about the sit). That’s because sitters might gloss over in star ratings, but it’s unlikely they’ll outright lie about cleanliness in review comments.
To me, it’s a form of self-care to always have a Plan B. That’s in case of any host who might lie or mislead. But odds are, if you screen well, you’re less likely to be unpleasantly surprised.
For me, carefully reading listings (including looking for tone and a sense of hospitality and reciprocity) is the strongest way to find good hosts/sits. The video chat is good for confirmation — observing what hosts ask and how they ask are telling.
Note: I skip all listings that are skimpy or where hosts just focus on their needs and their pets’ needs. Or where the tone is off.
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