Over a week ago we applied for a Christmas sit. At the time only 1 other applicant was showing. The next day the sit was showing as ‘reviewing applicants’ but our application remains as ‘unread’. This is the second consecutive sit that this has happened. With the previous sit we withdrew our application the day before it was due to start.
We are wondering if it is something to do with the 5 applicants cut off? If you are #6+ do the HO’s not see your application unless they turn down all other applicants? Or is there another reason?
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Hi Nina
The ‘reviewing applications’ status is simply an indicator that the 5 application limit has been reached–though someone may possibly get more than this as anyone who has started one should still be able to submit it even if 5 other people have already got theirs in. This doesn’t mean the HO has actually read any of them though. It just happens automatically and not something the HO does themselves.
I’ve had the same thing happen to me 3x.
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Some homeowners may not be aware. I didn’t realize it until January of this year… when I didn’t feel like the first 5 applicants for some dates I had listed were suitable for us. I even confirmed someone in September 2022, completely unaware of it because my first 3 applicants were really good.
They may be busy too + not being aware, so they probably just haven’t seen/read yours yet.
Send them a nice little follow up note @Nina to ask if they’ve received your application, do they have any additional questions, would they like to chat etc? See if that prompts movement.
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I applied for a sit 5 weeks ago, could see it was read but had no reply. Earlier dates listed by the same owners were ‘reviewing applications’ and remained so for several weeks. I checked yesterday and there’s now just 1 applicant so, either the owner has declined 4 or they’ve withdrawn. I’ve since been accepted for another sit clashing with those dates so have withdrawn my original application. A few owners are really very rude in not responding.
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Hi Nina
The ‘reviewing applicants’ I believe is automatic once 5 applications are received. It is a shame some HO’s post their sit but then don’t respond or take their time responding to applications.
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The “reviewing applications” is awfully (and probably purposely) misleading.
What THS should write is something like “listing automatically paused/blocked at 5 applications”.
It is also quite likely that the home owner is unaware, as THS does not tell them anything. The HO may be waiting for more applications to come in. Christmas is far away, it is still summer.
So instead of people blaming the HO for being rude etc, direct your complaints at THS!
It is THS that is “not taking the time” to fix this. Although we are all paying them!
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But I’m afraid some HOs are rude as this happened also before the pausing of 5 applicants. He should at least have responded to me in 5 weeks, no excuses there.
I don’t bother complaining any more to THS as it’s a waste of time
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My application for a sit, submitted April 27th, is still waiting for a response!!! The listing is labeled as “Reviewing Applications”. The sit starts mid-December for a month.
Both my initial application message and follow up have finally been read.
As I’ve said previously, it’s now a sport for me to see if the HO ever responds.
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I know what you mean and I’ve done the same in the past. Are you going to ‘educate’ the owner if you finally do get a reply. Will you accept if you’re chosen? No doubt you’ve got another sit organised by now…
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@PetSitterBug I absolutely love the idea of calling it a “sport”
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I’m trying to fill a space in my sitting calendar from Sept 9th-15th. Eight days ago, I applied for three sits within that time frame. Two of them would work back to back, and the other would work on its own. I have heard nothing from any of them. Sept 9 is now about 2.5 weeks away. I went to my box and looked at each one. Each one says “Unread,” though not a single one has 5 applicants. My best guesses: 1. They are not being notified they have applicants. 2. They are not paying attention to their notifications. 3. They have not actually decided they are going away, so they are holding off on responding to any applications. 4. They have chosen someone but haven’t either accepted that person’s application or notified other applicants.
I have been sitting full-time on here for 7 years, and never has this happened to this extent. I really don’t know what to make of it, but it’s frustrating as heck.
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A 5th option could be that they’ve got someone they know to do the sit and haven’t bothered to remove the listing. I’ve experienced that
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Whatever the reason(s), I suggest just moving on from unresponsive or slow HOs unless there’s a sit that’s incomparable, because there are so many sits.
I applied for a sit abroad. A couple of days later, canceled my application, because it hadn’t been read.
Weeks later, owner msgs and says they’ve > just < had a chance to review applications and wonder whether I’m still available?
Note: Last-minute airfare for even the most inconvenient flights (including multiple stops) would run into the thousands, in USD.
LOL, for the same price, I could have zero sitting responsibilities by buying airfare and hotel on my own with a bit of planning, and go during much nicer weather.
The HO had asked for someone familiar with their city, which I very much am. Plus, I speak the language fluently, which I’d also mentioned in my application.
SMH. Happily, I’m now on a sit for HOs who are decisive and thoughtful. And it turns out, they’re a lovely pair of humans, with a charming cat. Plus, the location is tough to beat.
Sometimes, things just work out for the better when they’re not forced or a needless challenge. With THS sits, I always think: These are supposed to be rewarding experiences, so why would I volunteer to saddle myself with anyone’s indecision, lack of consideration or otherwise (even if they have legit problems that slow their replying or choosing). And even having joined THS only in February, I’ve had enough great sits and HOs that I know they’re out there.
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Wow. It’s like they never even considered that there might be actual human beings applying for their sit–human beings who need to make important decisions and whose time matters. 
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Actually to be accurate, THS does inform the host that their applications are now paused when the 5 limit is reached. I’ve just had an email informing me of that very fact! It also says how to get more applications if none are suitable.
I have to say there are also, I assume, the majority of hosts who review their applicants quickly, contact everyone and come to a quick mutual decision and then inform all applicants of what that decision has been. At least I hope so!
Ok, but on the web site is not very clear it seems when I see questions like this Why do I have reviewing by my live listing?
It is on “reviewing” but the HO does not really know who is doing the reviewing. Is it THS?
THS needs to do some work on this. It cannot be that difficult.
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To be fair it seems clear enough from the host point of view. I’ve just posted dates and accepted a sitter and this is from the email I had once the 5 applicant limit was reached.
I’ve cut and pasted from the email I had just two days ago (cut and pasted because there are photos of the sitters etc on the email to me)
Good news!
You have 5 sitters hoping to sit for you.
16t - 2
We’ve now paused your applications to give you a chance to review your first 5 sitters.
Here’s what you need to do… 
[Review my applications]
Review your sitters.
There are 5 keen bean sitters waiting in your inbox right now - don’t leave them hanging. [Head to your inbox] now to review your applications and get the conversations started.
Think you’ve found ‘the one’? 
Once you’ve found the perfect sitter (one your furry pal’s sure to love), confirm them via your inbox by clicking the ‘confirm sitter’ button.
No one ticking your boxes?
No bother. If these sitters aren’t quite right, simply pop them a quick message to say ‘thanks’, and [decline them]( via your inbox. Then, [unpause your dates](https://click.emails.trustedhousesitters.com
to receive more new applications.
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