Now that TH has limited the amount of sit applications that can be applied for if as a homeowner I’m not happy with the applications are new applications presented when I reject an application to sit? I would have much preferred to be able to read applications from more than 5 applicants.
When 5 applications have been received, your listing is put on Pause. When you’ve declined 1 or more applicants, you can Unpause your listing. You have to do the unpause. It’s not automatic.
If you are declining sitters before you reach the limit of 5 applicnts, the systems continues to allow new applicants in automatically. As mentioned above, once you hit 5 and the sit goes to PAUSE, you have to decline 1 or more sitter and then UNPAUSE to be able to keep getting new applications. Every now and then 6 applicants slip in as they are applying at the same time. If you have a popular sit, you can get a stream of applicants while managing the declined ones actively.
@jennylb, pet parents with high-demand listings tell us that a core part of their listing process is actively managing applicants. They don’t always enjoy the experience. They tell us of a pragmatic mindset. Shortly after listing is published then they monitor applicants on THS platform and quickly decline any applicants that clearly have not read the listing or are otherwise a poor fit - importantly, this allows more housesitters to apply (the THS 5 applicant rule applies to active applicants, and gets refreshed after pet parent declines applicants). If there is one, or more, applicant that seem attractive then they quickly schedule video calls to progress - if appropriate for both parties - to a confirmed sit.
I don’t think this is automatic. I am almost sure the host has to unpause the listing to receive more applications.
Yes, HO has to hit an unpause button to resume accepting applications.
I found it to be a little tricky when I started. There were clearly applications that I felt were impractical or unsuitable but wanted to be “fair.” But I also understand the five application is in some ways an artificial limit. If you are quickly getting 5, you likely have a desirable sit (problaby due to location) and there likely more sitters out there who would love the sit then those who managed to respond quickly.
Sometimes I initially get 7 or even 8 applications because people have their application “open” before the limit is reached and they go through.
Sometimes the initial batch includes suitable people (more than one) and there is no reason to “manage” anything. I can work on contacting the one or more suitable people and getting the sit confirmed before those desirable sitters take other sits.
Usually, even if there are one, two, or even three people I want to chat with, in case none of that works, I’m going to decline the sitters who I know aren’t a great fit, and “manage” the sit to get more applications.
If you have a great sitter apply who is also a great sitter for you – reliabable, trustworthy, experienced with your type of pet, fits into their travel plan, no red flags – you don’t need to see more and start looking for an even better match. It might be a good idea to open more candidates in case when it comes to the chat something is off or the sitter decides you aren’t right for them, but you don’t need more for the sake of seeing more.
The main rule I developed was that if my spidey sense said “no” then it’s a “no.” And that it is helpful to have another set of eyes and ears when possible on the chat or just ears listening across the room.