I wonder why they have chosen this “improvement” and not any of the changes that have been demanded over and over again like showing the time that pets can be left alone or where they sleep. That would be really helpful.
The arrival times can vary I am flexible with the arriving time it always depends where the sitter is coming from, it could vary from 7 AM to 5 PM if via ferry or if by plane there is also a wide variety between 7:30 AM to 4:50 PM Can I enter an arrival time : between 7 AM - 5 PM?
Actually, listings already existing before have this as the default. The ones now are not a selection by the homeowner.
@infogaby I think you should be able to enter a wide time period like this, as I have seen a listing with arrival time shown as 8am - 6pm. I took it as a sign of a host who is prepared to be flexible like yourself.
Thanks. I’m interested in this but somewhat confused by ‘the ones now are not a selection by the homeowner’? Could you explain more? Many thanks
Sure. They just rolled this change out, so, all existing listings have “to be determined later” as a default. The owner of the listing didn’t enter it.
I’ll be using the start end times as MY departure and return times. Me specifying sitter arrival and departure times doesn’t fly as I have no knowledge of an applicant’s handover preferences or travel circumstances until we have conversed. After or during a conversation, we adapt. We have only rarely ended up with a sitter who arrived and departed on the start and end dates originally published.
Since we’d assume (as sitters) that publicised dates are when sitters are required to arrive and to leave, this disparity in perception surely highlights how this new feature isn’t going to be very helpful. 
Hi @Newpetlover,
Great news! More features including, how long pets ca be left alone, have also been rolled out - see more information here.
And, there will be more to come in the new year. 
Thanks,
@Mark is this truly can, or must? Your title here shows lets start every sit, which would suggest mandatory fields. However, my understanding is that any listings originally created before this requirement show to be agreed later. This will allow for the majority of listings to never address this question. Are these older listings being prompted to update their information?
Being a sitter, I don’t know the options given to the owner in this section, but if there’s no way of showing whether the day is the day the owner is leaving, or a day or two in advance of their leaving, it could serve to complicate things, rather than clarify things, especially for sitters who go from sit to sit with ideally minimal gaps. Or for example, if an owner shows the date prior to their leaving and the sitter is one who will not stay the night before, it just muddies the water. Although generally a good idea, this may cause more confusion than clarity.
This reminds me of when the expanded Amenities section was introduced. I still regularly see listings with a minimal amount of information in this section. Chances are they created their listing before the section was expanded. Again, why isn’t this must complete? Seeing Amenities details that don’t even list the bed(s) available is unreasonable. Photos are insufficient as often owners show their primary bedroom, which they don’t want used or sitters don’t want to use.
@Mark please get clarification on what is a can and what is a must for new data sections being added or updated. Thank you.
I think that’s the case for most listings but I have also seen completely empty sections in new listings. I think the problem is, once again, with listings “slipping through the net”
@Newpetlover I agree but surely something could be put in place to address that? I’m no IT person but I do know that sections on any online form can be made mandatory. It need not be human monitoring to avoid something slipping through. This is long overdue, I think. 
I assess any listing as a whole, not based solely on one section. However, a skimpy listing in itself tells me volumes. 
I just read a listing for a 3-night sit for one cat that has an automatic feeder and robot litter box.
Arrival time - 8 - 10 am
Departure time - 10 - 11:30 pm
How can such a late-night departure in a large city be necessary for a cat sit, or considerate of the sitter? They may also need an early riser for the start time as the home doesn’t accommodate more than one person. The Amenities also has nothing in the way of parking, which would be relevant in this location. I realize there’s supposedly a sitter for every sit but I think this one has narrowed down its pool of sitters.
As I look for sittings I am reading all of the extra information. As @Snowbird says, some of the timings don’t make sense.
I see this new feature as an excuse for the pet owner to input onerous timings. Besides putting unsociable timings, many are stating that the dog(s) can be left for only up to 2 hours.
I think the end result is that they will not receive as many applicants as they used to.
Existing listings which are being edited* are also being asked to be updated.
*since this new feature was enabled.
Mark, I asked you for clarification using two specific words - can or must - but you have not addressed those. Perhaps the wording of your response was given to you, rather than written by you. Being asked suggests an option rather than a requirement. If that’s the case, both Arrival & Departure Times and Amenities may be deficient when it comes to essential information. Sadly, that’s disappointing but not surprising.
“I don’t plan on doing anymore THS sits…” I read to the end looking for the why….this could be it’s own topic! I was surprised when I read this….
Without wanting to go off topic - there’s an explanation on this thread …
I notice that arrival times are starting to populate on more listings, with a number of them specifying early arrival times that I’d consider unreasonable if hosts don’t invite sitters to stay the night before. I consider this a red flag that hosts might be entitled. Maybe they’re not and they’re just inconsiderate.
For me, that’s the clincher, on top of booking fees: I’ve decided to stop looking for sits via THS and will let my membership expire.
No one will be monitoring arrival and departure times.
However, this could lead to the increased use of cameras and mistrust .
The more restrictions there are, the less trust and goodwill there will be between the HO and the PS. Communication will not be as smooth. People will gradually stop using THS services.
They will have fewer and fewer loyal members and they will have to rely on new members who will not stay long.