As a full-time sitter especially, I am a big fan of the new feature that allows hosts to state preferred arrival and departure times. It helps me know right upfront if it is even worthwhile to apply to the sit, which is a great time saver. There are all different types of sitters out there with all…

[image] Felinelover: Making one box the HO departure time, and a second box asking when they prefer sitters arrive, would solve this problem. I feel just a single box for each (arr/dep) would work fine, IF it were clear it was defining when the Host needs to leave/will arrive home. It’s infor…

You make some good points. However, I typically put in dates for the day before we leave and the day after we return, because I don’t expect the sitter to have to be too inconvenienced. Unfortunately, on my latest sitting the sitter just sent me a text that they will be arriving the day before, so…

@TT2 you can simply say that you’re not able to accommodate them a day earlier. No further explanation is needed. Did they specifically say they’re arriving to your home? Perhaps they just mean to the area. If you say no to them arriving to your home a day early, you do run the risk of them cancel…

I agree with you. Unfortunately they said in the message to me that they booked their ticket and when they would be arriving at my house. It wasn’t a request, so I think it presumptuous of them (or anyone) to think it okay to arrive an entire (24 hours early).

@TT2 Before jumping to any conclusions, have you discussed the overlap in dates with the sitter? Could this simply be a misunderstanding? Perhaps they interpreted the dates you listed as the dates you would be away and thought you were asking them to arrive the day before. If so, they may have bee…

@TT2 Did you have a video call with these sitters? It rather sounds like you may not have done as Arrival/departure details are usually discussed and agreed apon during the call. Then there should have been no confusion on arrival time. The recent addition to listings of exact timings can easily be…

We (sitter-couple) travel in our van and are therefore extremely flexible, which is also greatly appreciated by the HO. For example, for our upcoming sit, the flight details were recently brought forward, meaning we also have to arrive on the sit much earlier. Flexibility is required on both sides, …

[image] TT2: You make some good points. However, I typically put in dates for the day before we leave and the day after we return, And do you make that clear in the listing? I think the arrival and departure times feature isn’t very helpful at all, unless greater details are provided in the …

Just seen a brand new listing (& hosts) for 6 weeks in the Balkans with 2 dogs & 2 cats with a departure time of 9pm to 1030pm and no mention of hosting the sitters or flex. It’s enough to put us off applying because as others say they appear to have no thought for the sitter and where they’ll go at…

I am new to this forum and am trying to figure it out. I have posted photos, done the welcome guide and everything and sent invitations but no bites. Is this normal? So far, my exper has been very sub par. I welcome sitter feedback. Thank you!

Some Thoughts on Early Arrivals and Late Departures

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat

Topic		Replies	Views
Arrival & Departure Times Are Here: Let’s Start Every Sit with Clear Expectations Product Updates	217	4101	27 March 2026
Early arrival, late departure Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat	23	608	13 November 2025
Real dates that HO leave the house THS News & Feedback	41	698	29 June 2026
Is it common to have the sitter stay with HO the night prior to the official schedule? Owner Questions, Advice & Chat	30	730	30 December 2025
Searching for a sitter by available dates Welcome & Getting Started	37	592	6 July 2026

Some Thoughts on Early Arrivals and Late Departures

Related topics