r/SittersOnlyTHS

How come that HO aren’t required to deep clean for the sitters?

I have been a full time house sitter for the 5th year already. Before last year, I have got the sits mostly exclusively in Switzerland. This year I have decided to spread my geography and go to the seaside a couple of times.
So I did a sit in France (was a disastrous apartment that looked okish on the pics. I couldn’t have a backup plan, due to THS blocking dates policy), and, as long as I have already got my tickets and travelled there, had nothing left to do but stay there. Deep cleaned for a couple of dates and was putting up with 24-7 noise, humidity, the absence of actual kitchen there (the one that was present consisted of an air fryer, a sink, 1 scratched Teflon pan and one scratched Teflon sausepan) and the absence of any sitting area at all.
It Was quite traumatizing experience to survive (there is no other appropriate word for it) for the whole month.

Yes, I don’t have a budget to stay at the hotel for the whole month as a backup. And, if not for the pet sitting listing I have been approved to, I would not go at that specific location at the first place. And my home base is out of reach. I am relying on house sitting only for my accommodation.

Now, I have arrived to another sitting outside of Switzerland, to Italian countryside.
My host was very helpful before my arrival: asked me what kind of kitchen and bathroom stuff I need for my stay, and what kind of groceries he could get me.
Even, after my request, met me at the train station by taxi.

Upon arrival to his place I am realizing that we definitely have different standards of comfort and cleanliness: a very dark home (some common areas and bedrooms don’t even have a single window to air, the fridge and oven you don’t even want to approach (to say nothing of touching it), dusty filthy home, bugs and dirt in the bathroom…
The sit is 3.5 months long. The host was kind enough to accept me a few days earlier, and I see all of this now…
Of course, due to THS these dates are blocked in my calendar I am basically trapped here. Of course I couldn’t find another option (and wasn’t looking for one because I was relieved that the next months I am secured with housing).
I Took a day long trip with over 45 of luggage to get here, and realizing that I just don’t deserve to struggle with such a poor accommodation and to feel that pain for the next 3.5 months.
Don’t know what to do
Just in despair. Deeply frustrated by the requirements for the THS HOs.
How can IT be a FAIR exchange?

I had a sitter for September 27-October 3, but she had to cancel. I have two small dogs who can be left up to 6 hours a day and need to small walks. Is anybody interested? Lake Tahoe is beautiful in the fall; we call it locals summer.

I learned my lesson. I never do this... but this time I accepted a sit that was competitive and was offered to me right away. On the Zoom call I asked for the Welcome Guide. HO said they don't have one, but they have info they leave for sitters on their kitchen counter. I should have insisted on the WG at that point, but I did not. When I arrived there were a lot more responsibilities than I was told, most of it was not written anywhere, and they told me the info verbally. I took lots of notes. Much of the info from them was unclear and disorganized and of course it was not in writing from them... it was all just based on my notes. There wasn't time to clarify it all with them at that point.

This all caused me stress and anxiety during the sit, since many things were unclear. I didn't want to bother them on their trip and was trying to figure it out, trying to decide what to ask them, etc. Bottom line...I will never do this again. If someone doesn't send a WG well in advance for me to review and ask questions if needed, I won't be able to do the sit. Because you never know WHAT they're leaving when they just leave it on their counter. It could be clear and reasonable and it could be totally disorganized, unclear and unreasonable, with extra responsibilities they did not tell you before.

Eta: I also always do Zoom calls before accepting a sit. But this issue was really with the lack of WG.