That’s a real issue here. As the HO just started ‘it was an emergency’ although she was not affected by that and that’s it
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Of my 14 sits I’ve had 2 HO’s curtail their travel plans and return early. One worked out ok but the other not hence me flying home early.
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That is unfortunate Silversitters for you to have two HOs cancel early on you It happened only once to me years ago and the homeowners didn’t even have the grace and the decency to ring ahead which created embarrassment and inconvenience for me On the one hand I am feeling it could be good if THS created a policy for homeowners whereby if they cut short their stay they would be liable to meet costs of sitters finding alternate accommodation for the rest of the agreed upon sit date Consider that in many cases if the sitter decides to leave early
what happens to the animals ? It doesn’t bear thinking about the disruptions inconvenience and possible expenses home owners would be put to However as a sitter who once had to leave a sit early due to developing Covid and knowing I was so I’ll I simply had to get home I can understand life and legitimate unforeseen circumstances do happen I did however not abandon ship but agreed to stay on til owner could make other arrangements and thoroughly cleaned the home and set things up for an easy hand over to the HOs before leaving I think decency and consideration might suggest if HOs have a legit reason to return home early they could offer for either the sitter to stay on or contribute towards the costs of the sitter finding other accommodation If a sitter simply left their post and abandoned critters leaving animals and home owners high and dry no doubt they’d have their membership on TSH cancelled so I feel it could be good to have some sort of liability clause built into the homeowners agreed upon undertakings and obligations towards a sitter in the case of cutting sits short
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That really stinks! Did they say why? One and a half years ago I had a skiing accident very early
in a trip. We kept housesitters in place until I got so sick I really had to come home about 3 days before the agreed date. (Turns out I had COVID.) I considered letting them have the option to stay —but felt so rough and ultimately it was better for them! They were lovely about the whole thing and I felt so bad but it was for the best.
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This is such an interesting topic! We both sit and have sitters and have had dates change a few times.
We had to go home a day early when the family had a medical emergency, which gave us an extra day to enjoy our wonderful sitters, who we insisted not change their plans.
We cut one of our trips short by one day due to torrential rain, but after reading this thread I realize the mistake I made. On a Monday I told our sitter we’d be home late Tuesday night, 1 day early, and we did not expect her to leave early. She was leaving Wednesday morning anyway. She sort of freaked out, so we got as close to home as we could before the weather got really bad, found a motel, and didn’t go home till Wednesday. She left at 9 that morning as planned. I should have asked, and will do so if the need arises again.
On the other side we had a sit where we had to extend a day because the HO’s flight home was cancelled. That night was an open night between sits so it worked for them, but was a pre-paid non-refundable room for us. Now I know to only book in between lodgings that can be cancelled 
Thanks for the insight, we never want to upset a sitter!
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The HO returned 4 days earlier on short notice.
Before contacting THS I would have agreed. After contacting them I can tell you they told me there are always 2 sides of the story. They were nice. Solution offered: 10 points I should have proofed every topic what happened when incl videos, pictures, complete communication… And still there was the clear hint the HO claimed an unexpected necessity. It was not. Proof? No. End of story.
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To stay or to leave depends highly on the HO and their behaviour. In my case I got the impression I should do as she had in mind. I sounded like…if you stay you’ll save a lot of money, so, why you are talking about…
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When it’s not for an emergency, I don’t think being expected to stay with the homeowner when they curtail the trip by returning early should even be an option .
They shouldn’t do it and should be responsible for funding alternative accommodation if they do ( or pay the excess of the insurance)
It’s like a sitter turning up four days early expecting to stay with the homeowner . It just wouldn’t be acceptable.
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I’d love to see that 10-point list.
Thanks for your helpful star rating! As a newbie, am I right in thinking that I can see the owners review before I submit my own?
@Ellie.P not any more. The reviews are hidden until you have both submitted. They also have to be done within 14 days
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We experienced this on our very first sit eight years ago. We really had to think about remaining with THS but I’m glad we did as we’ve had very positive experiences since. Halfway through our sit, the homeowners said their daughter needed to stay in the house for a couple of nights and then the homeowners themselves returned one night early. We really thought the daughter was just checking up on us. We did receive a very glowing review from the homeowners for our first sit so we just put it behind us and moved on with sits and glad we did!
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Hi Jackie, so they are literally seems simultaneously, giving no opportunity for a sitter to change their mind about anything?!
You can no longer see the host review before submitting your own but you always have the opportunity to respond to their review if you don’t like it, or don’t agree with it, for any reason. It has never been possible to edit a review once submitted but at least you could see the other parties review in advance of writing your own. I’ll admit that sometimes did influence what we wrote in our own review. Blind reviews are supposed to give people more freedom to be honest without fear of retaliation.
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As a HO I would never do that to a sitter. I see it as a mutual obligation. If for some reason we came home early we would just figure out what to do for those days. Away from our home . I’m sorry this happens. IMO it’s very inconsiderate.
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