Should You Overlap With Homeowners or Housesitters?
Jess and Zuma, a dog we cared for in the UK
Quick answer: Yes, but usually only for a short time.
Welcome back to our mini housesitting blog series! In these short and specific posts, we dig into the questions we get asked most. After over three years of full-time house and pet sitting around the world, we’ve lived through just about every scenario you can imagine. So let’s dive in…
Today’s Topic: Should You Overlap With Homeowners or Housesitters?
Quick answer: Yes, a short overlap is normal and genuinely helpful.
But… there is such a thing as too much overlap.
Most sits involve some kind of handover period. It’s your chance to meet the people whose home you’re caring for (or the sitters that will be caring for your home and pets), ask questions, understand pet routines, and settle in smoothly. But the sweet spot? Around 1–2 hours. Maybe 3–4 hours if you’re having a meal together or you enjoy a longer chat.
It’s enough time to get clarity, but not enough time for boundaries to get blurry or for anyone to feel awkward.
Why Overlap at All?
A short overlap allows for:
A proper walkthrough of the house and handover of keys
Introduction to the pets with the homeowner still there
A clear handover of pet routines, quirks and expectations
Time for both sides to ask questions
A moment to build trust, human-to-human
After all, you’re not just swapping keys, you’re swapping responsibility.
When Overlaps Get Long…
There are situations where longer overlaps happen. We’ve experienced 24-hour overlaps with homeowners who live in different countries and want us there early for peace of mind. We get it. For them, it helps the transition feel smooth and secure.
For us as remote workers, though? Too long of an overlap can feel like an invasion of work and personal space.
You feel like you’re walking on eggshells, whisper-typing on your laptop, and trying not to take up too much space in someone else’s home, even though you're supposed to be settling in.
Long overlaps can be tiring and unproductive, so it’s worth factoring that into your travel calendar.
On our way to a housesit in Spain where we overlapped with the homeowner for 2 hours
Our Longest Ever Overlap: 48 Hours
A homeowner mixed up their dates and arrived home two days early. We had already booked expensive onward travel that was non-exchangeable and non-refundable, so we stayed. Luckily, they gave us a heads up before they got back so we had a bit of time to tidy up.
How did we survive it?
Keeping noise to a minimum
Early nights and early mornings
Packing most of our belongings away before they arrived
Doing a full clean of the house before they got back
Reassuring them that mistakes happen, because they do!
They felt awful, but honestly, it was fine. Their house, their error, and they were completely comfortable with us staying until our original departure date.
Situations like this are rare, but they happen. And they’re worth navigating gracefully if you want to keep your review ratings high.
How to Handle Overlaps Smoothly
Communication is everything. A few tips:
Set expectations early by asking how long they’d like you to overlap and communicate what works for you.
Create a list of questions (for sitters) or clear notes/instructions (for homeowners).
Confirm pet routines in writing.
Discuss house quirks such as heating, keys, bins, anything unusual.
Be friendly but have healthy boundaries.
A good overlap should feel informative, not intrusive.
Final Thoughts
Overlaps, whether two hours or two days, are simply part of the house and pet sitting world. Sometimes they’re smooth and chatty; sometimes they’re awkward and long. But ultimately?
They are worth it.
Free accommodation, no bills, and a chance to live in amazing places make the occasional uncomfortable handover totally manageable.
Keep communication clear, expectations realistic, and remember:
Everyone wants the same thing: a smooth, safe, and respectful transition.
Stay tuned for Mini Blog #4!
Got questions about housesitting? We’d love to help. Message us anytime on Instagram: @hitchedhikingandhousesitting 🫶