14th Dec-1st Jan then again 9th Feb-23rd for nice HO and x2 older dogs. We met this couple twice and visited the house and did a walk with the dogs. All 5*
We accepted knowing we couldn’t do the 6/7 weeks in between but we are happy to handover to another sitter. The HOs are away 3 mths. My question is about the handover.
The Island can be tricky to travel to in the winter due to fog etc affecting flights landing or the Ferry getting into harbour, so we’d like the option of a 12-24 hour handover with the next sitter so this would involve using 2 guest bedrooms or more. And yes there’s the whole cleaning/bedding/fridge handover thing to work out but can you see any other issues I need to add to my handover list.
Am I missing something? Is the HO looking for another sitting during those dates and you are just considering your role in the handover?
There are other threads on Split Sitting as many sitters would not be interested at all due to problems in handover and how the reviews would be done by the HO if anything went wrong.
1st update:
We’ve just completed 2 1/2 week sit and did the handover to the couple doing the middle 6 weeks (x20 5* reviews) before we return to do another 2 weeks; it went very well and we did a video walk through handover, sending this to the HOs. We overlapped by 18 hours. We’re nice people the HOs are nice people and the other sitters are nice people. However the crucial aspects of making this successful were in the detail, clarity of communication, and being upfront about any concerns needs etc. We picked them up from the airport yesterday, they dropped us off at the airport today… I hope this will be a ‘model’ for split sits to give others confidence that it can be successfully organised.
Yes, I found myself involuntarily involved in a split sit, and all went well. After being confirmed for months, the hosts decided to expand their 3 week trip, but I was committed to another sit and couldn’t come earlier. They found another sitter who was a lovely Irish lady, and we communicated before I came and did an in person handover. She left the place pristine, but the host arranged for her housecleaner to come on the handover day. So spit sits can work out well for all involved.
The split sit is over and the reviews are in. It went very well and the HOs were able to have a stress free 3 mths seeing family in Australia. We did nearly 3 weeks then the other couple did 6 weeks and we finished up with 2 weeks. What definitely helped was the HO arranging for the cleaner be there for the handover days. If two sets of experienced sitters work as a team with the HOs this is very doable.
I have trouble getting sitters for a long sit. Some send in their apply but say can I get a sitter for half of it. But then I read other sitters don’t do this because if something is wrong they can be blamed even if not their fault since other sitter did or didn’t do something right.
So it’s a dilema! What do people think about trying to split a long sit if it is worth the trying of it because not having success with getting one the whole time.
Can you add your listing to your profile @Matt_J? It’s hard to say without seeing where it is, how long it’s for and what the responsibilities are. Split sits are generally disliked because of the associated risks but not always. Would the sitters do the handover for example or could a family member or neighbour step in to help? Could there also be a visa issue for sitters if it’s super long? If you share it on here then members can offer helpful advice. #communityspirit
Yes a split sit is manageable and I’m glad you found my thread as I was going to direct you here in any case.
You have to be very involved in the handover process in the middle, either by a live video link or arranging a good friend to manage the handover day or a trusted cleaner maybe. The whole thing has to be filmed as evidence of the fridge/kitchen/shower/bathroom/bed is in an acceptable state plus of course the pet is healthy and happy. The 2 sets of sitters need to be able to WhatsApp each other to build another layer of confidence too.
