There is a work around of course, which involves explaining to HOs how messed up this is, and how they’ll have to change their dates every time you leave and trust you to come back and do your thing. I didn’t say it was a good workaround. The other workaround is even IF the none “primary” partner were to get a basic account for overlaps, HOs would still have to be willing to change dates and invite people as private sits, which hasn’t been made any easier.
I think that with this change, THS will have to insist that HOs adjust the dates to show the actual dates agreed on whether that is before the sit is confirmed or after. This is not something that the sitter can do, it is the responsibility of the HO.
If the HO does not adjust the dates of the sit to reflect the true situation, all of us sitters will have to start reporting to THS and asking that they contact the HO to correct the dates.
EDIT:
Example: a listing is originally for 1-16 December and confirmed for a sitter. Then the HO shortens it to be 1-14 December. In this case the HO must adjust the dates to show as 1-14 December so that the already confirmed sitter will be able to look for sits on the dates that are no longer relevant to that sit.
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Hello everyone 
Thank you for continuing the discussion, I am still gathering feedback and answer for you all so thank you for bearing with us and giving such valuable insights.
Just a quick note to keep the conversation on topic of ‘overlapping sits’ this is to make sure we answer everyone’s questions and do not miss valuable insights/feedback. The new product category was set up so we could make sure each issue is clearly discussed, we have seen threads go off on a tangent before and sadly this ends up distracting from the main issue.
If you use the spyglass there are many topics talking about other product features and suggestions list, if you can’t find the right one just let us know and we can help. You can also start new discussions by starting new topics if there is not a relevant one already.
Thank you for your help with this as we want the new product category and feedback system to be set for success! Any questions my DM’s are always open.
Thank you Carla
@Elsa1 Of course happy to help, the email address for Membership Services is support@trustedhousesitters.com the help desk for chat is https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb
@Wildcolonialgirl Me too. HOs never formally change the dates because it’s too much of a hassle. Half of my 28 sits have had dates changes and not a single one has been officially changed. Until now there really hasn’t been a need to change it on THS. Now HOs will think we are being difficult because we have to insist that they go through the ridiculously convoluted system to formally change the dates.
I’m finding the same as you with repeat sits. They just contact me by email and we work out the dates.
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@Carla Could you answer the question about what’s going to be done to make it easy for HOs to change the dates of a sit. This is NOT off topic, it is a major issue now that is the direct result of this sudden policy change. HOs normally do not officially change the dates because it’s such a hassle. Now, sitters cannot apply for other sits to replace the dates of shortened sits.
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I totally agree with this and it is not off-topic. I edited my post above to include this point:
Example: a listing is originally for 1-16 December and confirmed for a sitter. Then the HO shortens it to be 1-14 December. In this case the HO must adjust the dates to show as 1-14 December so that the already confirmed sitter will be able to look for sits on the dates that are no longer relevant to that sit because if the HO does not adjust the dates, the sitter is blocked form applying for what will appear to be an overlapping sit from 14 Dec onwards.
So whether THS makes it easier or not, the HO will have to adjust the dates from now on.
You are using one membership to be in two places. I think this is about THS wanting you to pay for two memberships. It’s clear you are not neglecting any pets. They are saying it’s about pet safety but I think it’s about one sit location at a time per membership. As is , a family of six can pay the same membership price as one person. The family of six could be in several different locations at the same time without paying for another membership.
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I have that situation right now @cat.tails - two upcoming sits with date changes. I can’t apply for other sits. By the time the dates get changed (if they get changed) who knows how many sits I will have missed out on. I’m getting very tired of my ability to apply for sits being more and more limited by THS. Why am I paying full price for a limited membership?
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I have the situation of a confirmed sit in 2024 where a homeowner new to THS got their return date mixed up - so will be returning a day earlier than shown on the dashboard.
In light of this change that will block a sitter from applying for a sit with overlapping dates I realised that it would be necessary to get the return date changed officially on the system - I know it is a faff for a homeowner to do .
I just spoke to customer services on live chat and they have changed it to the correct dates - it took around 2 mins .
It’s now showing with the correct dates on my dashboard.
So I recommend that if you need to change the dates of a confirmed sit get customer services to do it through live chat 
Much easier than getting the homeowners to change it .
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The wealth of knowledge, experience and concern that we have has once again been shown on this thread. What a resource THS has at their fingertips but yet they still ignore it and manage to instigate changes that aren’t thought out. At times it feels like the decision makers have little or no concept of house sitting.
Anyway my suggestion would be rather than have a policy that negaively effects every sitter, would it not be more suitable to have a warning pop up when you try and book an overlapping sit that states:
You are trying to book a sit that overlaps with an existing sit. If you proceed then be aware that animals left in your care must not be left alone overnight and failure to abide by this rule will result in your removal as a member.
You could have a check box to tick that you have read this warning.
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Overlapping sits - A sitter’s perspective
Hi Everyone while there are members identifying issues around the functionality of this change, issues which can be managed, as Head Of Community and a founding member of TrustedHousesitters I write this with my sitter member’s hat on and to help give further clarity for implementing this change.
Prior to the pandemic we (my husband & I) were full time sitters without a home base for six extremely rewarding years. Applying for and confirming back to back sits, with some overlapping because it fit with our lifestyle needs and effectively helped out other owner/pet parent members who may have been struggling to find sitters, for whatever reason.
These arrangements were always done with total transparency for all the right reasons, just like other members in this conversation.
We understand that this recent change has raised concerns among some, particularly full time sitters and those who manage their sit arrangements with the utmost responsibility. This change was not considered or introduced without acknowledging the potential impact on some of our community, but it is a very necessary change.
When I found out there were sitter members arranging overlapping sits which could result in leaving pets alone purposely to take advantage of free accommodation by using the TrustedHousesitters trust based proposition, which allowed this to happen I was shocked and angry, very angry. The thought of behaving in such a way would NEVER even cross my mind. I could not imagine any other pet loving sitter doing this either.
Imagine leaving a pet without food/water, unable to go to the toilet, without human companionship, alone and scared, their PP possibly in another country. Who could ever do such a thing? Only selfish & uncaring sitters, who fortunately are in the minority, but nevertheless do exist.
On looking deeper we discovered cases such as one which involved numerous, overlapping sits, another with six sits across different countries. There was no way that either sitter could honor their commitment of 24/7 care keeping pets safe and happy at home.
Some have asked how we know the numbers and the members involved. Data. We have a dedicated data squad and advanced software which can provide the data needed to support and investigate across the business, just like every other company in 2023.
Pet parents have also provided feedback and evidence alerting the Membership Services team when they notice that their sitter has simultaneous reviews for the same dates. And more seriously when pet parents have discovered that the sitter is absent and pets have been left alone overnight until the Pet Parent’s return the next day, yes it has happened after all we don’t make changes like this without reason.
When I found out that this was a significant and growing problem but also one we had the ability to stop, I threw my entire weight behind the change, even though it would affect the way I managed my own pet sitting lifestyle. Yet as a sitter who uncompromisingly puts pets first, as many in our community do, stopping this practice was non-negotiable and while doing so we risked upsetting some human members and inconveniencing others, better that than doing far worse to our pet members and their families.
As our community grows so does the risk. What if a serious incident were to happen and it became known that not only was it completely preventable but also a known and acknowledged risk and yet we did nothing to prevent it from happening?
We want to express our regret if you believe that this change will have a negative impact on your pet sitting lifestyle. This was never our intention, protecting pets will always be our priority and the intent behind changes such as this and we know that you hold these values as close to your heart as we do.
Ultimately, and we’re convinced you will all agree, our primary focus is the well-being of pets. When we identify a risk to their health or safety, such as overlapping sits, we have a responsibility to address it without compromise. That’s precisely what we’ve done with this Product Update.
We are open to answering your questions, especially about date changes on listings, welcome your feedback, suggestions, and ideas. However, please understand that this policy will remain in place.
At the heart of THS are pets and trust. The loss of trust affects all of us, not just those who break the rules. Once trust is broken, it’s incredibly challenging to rebuild. It takes years to establish and just moments to shatter.
Thank you all for your understanding, your support and always caring for those in our community without a voice or a choice … the pets.
Angela
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@systaran @cat.tails Sorry if there is any confusion, owners being able to change dates is not off-topic and has not been included as such. I have tagged further up the post that I will be passing that great question on to the Product team and will be letting you all know when I know more. I promise that question is firmly on the list already as you are right it is an important one.
Off-topic examples are marketing photos on adverts, brand refresh, 5 pausing etc (there are lots of threads discussing these already) If it directly relates to the overlapping sits feature and function then you are right it is most definitely on-topic!
Hope that helps clarify further and the aim is not to miss any valuable feedback or questions about this exact feature. Thank you 
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My experience with member service has not been as positive as your apparently has. It’s typically involved waiting for 2-3 days for someone to get back to me. And honestly, it shouldn’t be up to me to get the dates changed. It should be quick and easy for the HO to change it.
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@systaran I understand your frustration.
All I can say is that right now there are real humans currently available and dealing with queries on live chat so if you have some dates that need changing I recommend that you contact them right now before they go home for the weekend ( it’s 16:16 Friday afternoon in U.K. )
I’m glad you have had good experiences with member services. I have not, so I would like to avoid having to deal with them.
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@Angela_L
Thank you for telling us this. I too am horrified to know that this is going on. I hope this will prevent any pet from being harmed.
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I guess my confusion is why aren’t you kicking those people off? If you know who they are from your data collecting, why aren’t you just kicking them off of the platform? THS does not seem to want to take any confrontational actions when need be!
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@Angela_L on behalf of all the responsible sitters I hope that these two sitters are no longer THS members ?
I have no issue with the changes themselves - having never even considered applying for an overlapping sit ( and we sit as a couple ) it will not have a negative impact on my sitting experience.
However, what is seriously concerning me, is the lack of transparency around this issue .
When responsible experienced 
sitters who sit as couples started to receive warning e-mails in September this year they asked why on this forum and were told by @Ben-ProductManager
Now out of the blue we are told
So it was ok in September ( as long as it had been discussed with both Homeowners) but now overnight is prohibited because it’s against the TOC ?
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Sorry I think that 2 memberships are overkill. It does not happen often enough for that to be justified.
What about a “PLUS ONE” membership? If you’re listed as a couple, that parameter is lifted.
THS might be more motivated to make it easier for the HO to change dates if we all went through member support for them to manually process the changes. I really don’t think they appreciate the volume of sits that have date changes
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