# Leaving Sitters on Hold **URL:** \ **Category:** Host Questions, Advice & Chat\ **Created:** [3 October 2026 20:44 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321 "2026-10-03T20:44:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Matt\_J](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Matt\_J](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Matt_J)\ **Post date:** [10 October 2026 14:21 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321/21 "2026-10-10T14:21:20Z")
> [@lonnajp64](#): > > When an application is withdrawn, another spot opens up in the “maximum 5 applicants”. Not exactly. There is a 5 application limit, when an application is withdrawn by the sitter or declined by the host, then the host can un-pause applications allowing sitters to apply until the empty spots are once again filled. The spot doesn’t just open up without that action being taken. ---
**Author:** ![lonnajp64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/958977/32.png) [@lonnajp64](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/lonnajp64)\ **Post date:** [10 October 2026 14:54 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321/22 "2026-10-10T14:54:54Z")
Thanks for clarifying. I did not know that. ---
**Author:** ![lmhale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a3d4f5/32.png) [@lmhale](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/lmhale)\ **Post date:** [10 October 2026 16:05 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321/23 "2026-10-10T16:05:58Z")
Good point. ---
**Author:** ![Whirld-Traveller](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/whirld-traveller/32/35582_2.png) [@Whirld-Traveller](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Whirld-Traveller)\ **Post date:** [11 October 2026 16:01 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321/24 "2026-10-11T16:01:00Z")
> [@temba](#): > > When you withdraw an application @ABGM, you have the choice of leaving a message or not. One can communicate with HOs on THS any time after the initial application—even years later. ---
**Author:** ![Couple\_travels\_fulltime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Couple\_travels\_fulltime](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Couple_travels_fulltime)\ **Post date:** [11 October 2026 16:12 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321/25 "2026-10-11T16:12:26Z")
That is red flags all the way around. If the message has been seen/read and we do not get an answer withing 3-5 days, we withdraw our application. If they want to waste your time, they do not respect your time enough. End of story and move on to another sit. ---
**Author:** ![Newpetlover](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/newpetlover/32/36857_2.png) [@Newpetlover](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Newpetlover)\ **Post date:** [11 October 2026 16:22 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321/26 "2026-10-11T16:22:13Z")
I know but I don’t get how that is related to the process of withdrawing an application, which @ABGM asked about, and @temba and myself were trying to explain. ---
**Author:** ![ABGM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/74df32/32.png) [@ABGM](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/ABGM)\ **Post date:** [15 October 2026 06:32 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321/27 "2026-10-15T06:32:31Z")
Well, 6 weeks after applying (no, I didn’t bother withdrawing; if she was ignoring it, I figured I would too 😈 ), the host messaged asking about arrival/departure times. I said that “since applying back in August” I’d been accepted on another, and maybe it would work out another time. Got a very short acknowledgement “thanks for letting me know”. Oh kay then… ya snoozed, ya loozed. 🤷‍♀️ She wasn’t great at communication last time. Maybe lesson learned? [Previous page](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321.md?page=1)