We’ve done this once out of nine sits. Tbh I’d rather not spend the night before with the home owners and I really don’t like it when they request it after we’ve accepted the sit
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Yes, this is the important part @MichiganJules. If it was not discussed, then I would assume the sitter to arrive on the day the sit starts.
We (owners) have a dog, and like sitters to come a day before we leave. We do eat dinner together and take them grocery shopping. We don’t do airport pick-ups, as taxis here are relatively cheap.
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We’re sitters, we’ve arrived the day before and had a meal when an owner has requested we arrive early and they have suggested they do a meal, but we’ve never personally asked ourselves. But there’s nothing wrong with them asking as some sitters are comfortable asking whereas we aren’t, but there’s nothing wrong with you saying no either and that you would prefer if they arrived a couple of hours beforehand, but if they are coming from overseas at least you know they are definitely in the country when they are already in your home.
When we first stayed overnight with the owners we thought it would be a little weird, as we’re beyond middle aged and we are used to having our own space, but we knew we’d have to step outside of our comfort zone as we knew quite a few homeowners requested it, but actually it was a very enjoyable experience, and we’ve done it quite a few times since, without a moments thought. It’s actually really enjoyable getting to know each other in a different light.
If they are suggesting this after you have agreed to the sit, then just say no if you are uncomfortable with it, and that you would prefer to meet them on the day.
But if the sit isn’t agreed with them already, then either consider their suggestion if you feel they are fantastic, or pick someone that makes you feel more comfortable, it’s your home and pets, it’s totally up to you.
Oh, and we’ve never had anyone pick us up from an airport so far, we’ve just caught a taxi instead. But I know from this forum that it happens now and again.
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I think it depends on the individual circumstances but its not unusual. Having said that its also not a given. For example, if the owner needs to get away very early the next day and there wouldn’t be time for a proper handover, particularly when dogs are involved then asking the sitter to come the day before and stay is pretty typical. In this case it would be strange for the HO not to at least offer a meal. I also think some HOs do it as extra reassurance - seeing the sitters in person rather than just over a video call. However, if there is time the same day of departures then other HOs may just be happy with meeting and handing over just before leaving. If you don’t want them to come the night before then just say the same day will be fine. If they have to travel a distance then they may need to sort there own accommodation the day below. I think things like this should be dealt with on the video calls before confirming sit - it manages expectations for everyone on what’s going to happen.
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@MichiganJules There is no “all the time” as these sitters state. As others have posted, it depends on circumstances and what you prefer. Some homeowners do it, others do not. No right or wrong here.
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I have never been picked up at the airport when doing overseas sits, I have always got myself there. On my next sit, the owner asked us to arrive the night before, and very kindly offered to cook us a meal, I wouldn’t have asked. I think it’s a bit cheeky to just expect it. It should have been discussed before.
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Could be difficult. Sometimes I see when the sit is confirmed that there is a railway stop in that small town in rural France.
Then in practice, when the sit approaches, the timetable turns out to be totally impractical for me to get there. Instead, there is a different station 15 kilometers away. Then I ask if they can come pick me up. Which has never been a problem because these people are driving around all the time anyway for all their errands.
Advantage for the owners: I am a bit stuck in that tiny town and I spend a lot of time on walks with the dog or on the couch with the cat.
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@MichiganJules you have been given a lot of insight already. It seems that you both haven’t brought up the practicalities of arrival for the sit earlier, and then it come up now.
I would really handle it as I would with any other friend or guest coming to visit me. If there is good public transportation I would give them advice on which lines they can use and closest bus- or trainstop, and Maybe on how and where to buy tickets. Then I might pick them up there (depending on how close to our home, the busstop here is walkable and you can see our street).
If their travel allows to arrive same day I would not normally offer accommodation. If they came from afar or needed to come day before because of transport to the time I have given I would try to accommodate one way or the other. Several options mentioned by others. If I was to leave as a HO I would either stay myself at a relative or at Hotel at airport, depending on when and where I was leaving. That would also allow me to clean out my home to prepare for my guests/ sitters easily before leaving 
When I pet-sit I am usually happy paying my travel expenses and very reluctant to pay extras as rental-car or extra Hotel nights to accommodate the needs of the host. But different people, different expectations. Each sit is a totality of pros and cons and everything can be discussed, and both parties can have their say.
I think it is quite alright to mention what one has done before, that is an indirect way of asking what you think, and then it is up to you to say yes or no or make suggestions. I do however think that it is a mutual - call it «responsibility» although maybe it is too harsh a word - to try to find a solution that can work for both of you, having in mind that you both put time, effort (and for long travel maybe quite a bit of money) into a sit. If you can’t or won’t have a houseguest while you are still at home that is up to you.
If this is close up to the sit it could be a good idea to talk through the details much earlier in the next sit, preferably before you confirm. Better for both of you, and then you can also sort away applicants that need accommodation .
So just think through what you can and cannot offer and give your answer to your sitter.
If the sitter has mentioned what they have done before, I regard it as an invitation to a discussion - not a demand?
I have done something similar. When I have an early departure, I say to the host that I usually strip the beds and put it in the laundry, and maybe turn on the washing machine if the hosts are to come back soon. Then they can say if it is ok or if they want another solution?
I would however find it cheeky if they know I have to leave at 8 am and require that I wash, dry and put on back the linen before I leave. That would mean I can’t sleep (in the bed) the last night. And still take care of their pets in the morning.
Like many others have said, this scenario is typical, but coming the night before is usually because the host requests it, whether they want to add some cushion time for a sitter coming from a distance, there is a lot to go over for the house and pets, or because they are leaving really early the day of their trip.
Even if that has been their experience with a lot of sits, I still find it odd they would automatically assume any given sit would proceed in the exact same way. That is the sort of stuff that is usually explicitly discussed beforehand.
It would be one thing if a host wants a sitter to meet the day prior, but then expects them to pay for their own accommodation rather than offer to have them stay over. But it doesn’t sound like this is the scenario here, since you mention your sitters typically just arrive a few hours before you depart.
I can’t say for sure what I would do, but most likely, if it was possible to host them, I would probably just pick them up(if it isn’t too inconvenient) let them stay and get some take out. That way you can avoid a potentially awkward start to the sit. But you are under no obligation to do that if you are unable to accommodate these expectations.
And while I think sitters making assumptions about hosts putting them up the night before and picking them up,etc…is pretty rare, it could be a good learning experience in that for future sits, you can be sure to mention you don’t expect sitters to arrive until shortly before you depart.
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Had about 40 pet sittings and to quite a few I went the night before. People often leave in the morning so that is also much easier. Especially if you have dogs I would always recommend it because its great for dogs to adjust slowly to a new person… I keep these sittings always in great memory so there would be a greater change that I accept a second sitting, which I did already 3 times.
I also always leave self-made food, cake or whatever as a small appreciation.
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Excellent comment
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It could be “all the time” for them, especially if they ask “all the time” but in general, as you see, it varies a lot.
Also, there’s a whole bundle here ( pick up, dinner, overnight stay) that doesn’t necessarily go together.
You just say “this sitter” so we don’t even know if it’s a confirmed or a prospective sitter and that is relevant. If it’s not a confirmed sit and you have more applications, then you have more options.
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Hello everyone! I appreciate the fast, and thoughtful replies, it’s helpful.
Agreed with the feedback about knowing our own comfort level and boundaries. We were worried about only having a few applications and a short time to find someone. We were surprised at the stated expectation that we do these things and wanted to know if we were missing a crucial piece of this community (e.g. that we should be offering these things). We don’t want to seem ungrateful or unappreciative, hence the curiousity about expectations and standards from both other owners and from sitters.
For those who are curious, this is for a cat sit (for an older cat who gets anxious when we are away, but is otherwise easy to care for). It’s for 5 nights, in the US. The sitter lives in the same state as us, but is a fair distance away. The sitter does lots of sits, this isn’t an international visit or someone seeking out our destination for travel. And we don’t leave until the afternoon the next day (and work from home that day until we leave).
I appreciate the suggestions about early morning flights, when we would perhaps suggest arrival the night before. I also see the night before is much more common for dog-sits (understandably). Moving forward, we will be mindful of our preferences and be clear in our posting and intro chats about that as well.
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With your added info on the specifics it seems quite reasonable to have the handover same day. It is continously learning in this community and great to be able to reflect together in this forum, to clear things up and find solutions together. Now your question and all the input can be a resource not only for you but everybody with same question later. So thanks for bringing it up and safe travels @MichiganJules !
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Thanks for the feedback.
I’m still curious, it seems you had already confirmed the sit and you were afraid of not getting more applications. Is that so?
Another important thing. If the sit was agreed before the sitter asked that means the extra night will not be Included in the listing and not covered by insurance should anything happen.
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Because of our location, we have sitters come the day before. This gives us time to show them the island and become acquainted with our dog and home. Our go to welcome meal is lasagne.
This might not be for everyone but I feel the time spent is well worth it.
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Yes, we did agree to it (then re-thought it later, but realize we already agreed so weren’t going to back out). We did change the dates to include the extra night before we sent the confirmation. Not sure if there’s a standard way others approach that part? Do adjust the dates to reflect the early arrival?
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It has already been discussed and I think most do. I certainly ask owners to reflect that officially on the site, it helps everyone.
Good luck with this new experience, you may find that you enjoy it after all
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It doesn’t seem to be part of the expectations of this community, although many people do offer. However, I have done a few sits through Nomador and there, arrival the night before and dinner with the hosts is very much the norm. It’s part of Nomador’s suggestions of how to be a good host and so far all my hosts have suggested this.
As far as my two THS sits go, one offered us an overnight stay, the other didn’t. The one that did offer was a cat sit an hour’s drive from our place so an overnight stay wasn’t required but both parties thought it would be nice (and it was!)
Given that you say your sitter is coming from a fair distance away, and seemingly by public transport, I do think it is the right thing to offer them the possibility of staying the night before. And of course, if I invite someone to spend the night at my place, I am going to offer them dinner. As for picking them up from the station or wherever, I would happily do this too if it was not too far away.
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