I’ve had a sit up for about 3 weeks with zero qualified sitters. Two wanted to do partial sits and the other was booked by the time I got back to her. And she didn’t withdraw her app…ugh. Anyway, is there a policy on offering tips or some financial incentives in the actual listing to encourage sitters to apply. What do people think about this?
If you are going to offer financial incentives, just hire a sitter. That is not what THS is about.
ETA: I know there are HOs who offer tips, leave gifts etc. Actually putting financial incentives in the profile listing should be the same as a sitter asking for money in their application - should not be allowed.
And if you can’t find a sitter on THS in this climate (gas and other prices, undesirability of location due to politics, THS fee, climate change - there are plenty of possibilities), move to plan B.
Since THS is not a paid site, I would not put an offer to pay right in the listing–what hosts and sitters choose to do among themselves is ultimately up to them, and no one could stop payment from happening privately if you decided to offer it.
I imagine this does not happen often, and if sitters are not aware of this ‘incentive’ at the time of applying, and do put in an application, then you would not need to offer this anymore as sitters are not expecting payment.
However, if you were thinking more along the lines of offering reimbursement for gas or travel expenses, that is something hosts are free to do–though I do not think it is all that common-- and I personally would not see an issue with putting something like that in the listing. While some may argue this is the same as a payment, I do not really think it is. I have at times seen listings that offer such things.
Thank you KC. Just to clarify for everyone, I was not thinking that I would offer to pay on this site. I would just includein the listing something like “Winnie and Wallie would like to offer you a $100 gift card if you come stay with them” And yes, I realize I can pay someone on Rover with no problem. I like to remain faithful to THS as I am both a HO and a sitter. But something (probably the heat in Florida this time of year) is keeping people from applying and I’m getting anxious about finding someone.
I understood this is what you meant. Still think it goes against the spirit of THS. If HOs start doing this, it will become the norm, and then the incentives will go up in order to get good sitters.
I would word it, we appreciate the great sitters we have had. That is why we are leaving a $100.00 gift card to future sitters. That would not motivate me and if it motivates someone to sit for you I would wonder if they are financially able take care of themselves if you need to arrive home early because of an emergency.
@Mtorpy I don’t think the heat is the only reason for lack of applicants. There is a complex set of more recent reasons and, if you search for key words using the spy glass and read the summary of relevant posts, you will see the various factors, some of which are unique to the US and its current political situation. As an experienced Canadian sitter, who has done many sits in the US, I no longer consider US sits.
To directly address your question, there are listings where incentives are offered in various forms. As kind and proactive as this seems, you may attract sitters who apply for the wrong (financial) reasons. If you take the approach you’re suggesting, I strongly suggest that you watch for red flags and listen to your gut instinct if a sitter’s application doesn’t seem like a good fit.
I think overall you have a good listing. The drawbacks for me would be that ideally a car is needed, and the limited timeframe for leaving the dogs, where pee-pads are used. For some sitters (me included), pee-pads are a negative. Also, the narrow timeframe for arrival may be off-putting. Why not use ‘to be agreed upon’ so that you can arrange something workable with a sitter? This new feature makes some owners look demanding and controlling, even though I doubt that’s your intention. If you are agreeable to it, I would also add into your listing that, for a relatively short sit, you don’t require any major cleaning or for the bedding/towels to be laundered. Make it more attractive for such a short timeframe.
I would remove your 2027 sit for now and have the listing focus on the upcoming sit. Also seeing that one with a narrow window for leaving time is a negative, especially that early in the morning. Remember that sitters’ plans also need to be considered.
Sitters* have to pay a booking fee to THS per sit - this makes shorts sits less attractive- some hosts offer to reimburse sitters for the booking fee .
*Only Sitters who have paid for Premium membership are exempt from the booking fee
Hi @Mtorpy 
I think there’s a distinction between paying for a sit and showing appreciation.
Personally, I wouldn’t want THS to become a marketplace where hosts compete by offering larger and larger financial incentives. That changes the nature of the platform and could create pressure on both hosts and sitters.
On the other hand, I don’t see a modest, discretionary thank you, whether it’s a gift card, groceries, petrol reimbursement, or a nice meal, as being against the spirit of hospitality. Many hosts already leave thoughtful gifts, and many sitters never expect them.
If a host is struggling to attract applicants, though, I’d first look at whether anything in the listing is putting people off. A $100 gift card probably won’t persuade a great sitter to accept a sit that otherwise doesn’t fit their travel plans or preferences. Improving flexibility, reducing unnecessary requirements where possible, and making the listing as appealing as possible is likely to have a bigger impact.
So for me, appreciation is lovely. Incentives shouldn’t become the reason someone accepts a sit.
Four days in Tampa, in August? That’s a tough sell regardless of any incentives.
Maybe locals would be interested? How about trying inviting local THS sitters?
Anyway, a paid sitter may be your best bet.
For me the most off putting feature in your listing is the narrow arrival/departure time frame and at the most inconvenient times. Everything else looks great. It’s a sit I would apply for if It was somewhere near me. Not with that timeframe though.
It’s not only the inconvenience it’s that it shows lack of consideration for sitters, which is strange being a sitter yourself.
I would not post an incentive or say upfront I would tip a sitter. I would offer a car if it’s needed or even just convenient in the area, and one incentive you can offer is use of your car, or if you’re not comfortable with that, reimburse or subsidize a rental car.
Another thing I have posted is offering a mid day dog walker once or twice a week, so the sitter can get out and explore more than the 4 or 6 hours they are constrained by pet care.
So you can offer up front some careful incentives that make it a fair exchange.
Offering $100 gift card is 1) too small and amount to cover the sitters own travel costs and 2) makes it feel like your offering a job for extremely low pay.
Really if a THS sitter isn’t working out than just go the paid sitter route.
@Mtorpy, we agree with wise words from @Newpetlover.
Incremental to any other factors then the arrival/departure time expectations on both your listings would likely terminate interest of all but local housesitters.
If you seek housesitter to arrive/leave early or late in day then suggest consider that housesitter(s) permitted to stay overnight.
@Mtorpy, for your August 2026 listing then we encourage that financial incentives may be wrong solution. Rather consider hiring a local sitter. Or framing listing for a relatively local THS sitter.
- Listing is only for four days - any long-distance travel is not justified
- Car is needed - unless your providing vehicle, then local sitters only
- Arrival/departure time expectations - only suitable for local sitters
Macro factors
- US location - many international sitters not considering US listings
- THS fees - $fixed booking fees make short sits less attractive
Should you choose to target local sitter then consider permission to arrive a day early (as you seek them present by 7-11am) and/or leaving a day late (as you seek them to leave at 5-8pm).
Re comp, views probably vary a great deal on THS. We never ask for compensation. But we have received a wide variety of thoughtful kind gestures of appreciation. For us, such gestures do not impact our willingness to confirm a sit. But they indicate a respectful PP-HS relationship and effort appreciation that may lead to repeat housesits.
Your sit looks lovely from the pics and your description. I think your only realistic market, especially for the August sit, are locals as its so short. As many others have already noted most non US citizens are not pursuing US sits at moment- its too risky- and ofcourse nobody wants big travel costs for a 4 day sit, especially if they are also subject to the new (unpopular) fee..
You have also been made aware by others that your arrival/departure timings are a turn off (instant for me) They are not convenient and do not take into account sitters needs/plans. They smack of entitlement (which may be very far from your intention!) It would be better not to have the timings option there at all as certain amount of flexibility is very important. if you are open to sitters arriving the night before, or staying over after you return, this would certainly help. We do that frequently. Including the current sit where we arrived at 6pm, after long travels, had a lovely dinner with the host family and will reciprocate this on their return. Its also a nice way to bond with your sitters and see them interacting with your pets.
Exactly my thoughts. I wonder if perhaps they might be referring to their own arrival/ departure time. Some people who are not frequent forum users are not really aware of some of the new changes and how that affects their chances of getting a good match. Many HOs have complained about how user unfriendly they find the new listing fields and constant changes in the way information is presented, reorganized and even marked by default.
I’m an over thinker and I still can’t understand the rationale behind these changes. My only hypothesis is that different people keep playing with the platform and messing up further and further. There seems to be a lack of coordination and general integration of changes.
Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. I will definitely change the arrival and departure times. I thought they were required and coincided with our departure and arrival times. We are very flexible for this trip.
I will also look for a paid sitter for the short trip.
Thanks for clarifying this. I had the impression that this was the case for many HO. We have been complaining about this field but it’s always crickets on THS side.