Aibu to think about inviting someone to stay in our house for a week while we are away?

[AstridPeth]

That's about it really.
We live in Cornwall. Not far from several lovely beaches and fantastic countryside walks.
We are going away to the Norfolk broads for the week in April and although my mum would come in daily to look after our menagerie it would be easier and more practical to have some one stay here for the week.
I am thinking of offering our place for free on return for letting out and feeding our chickens daily. Feeding our cats and giving them cuddles. And feeding the hamster and rats (also preferably giving cuddles). No cleaning out would be necessary as we would do this before we go and on our return.
Here is the thing...
We live in rented accomodation. Our landlord is totally lovely and very laid back. To be honest I don't think we have seen him for the best part of a year.
The bungalow isn't in the best condition and when we took I on it was a case of pay xxxx per month for it done up or pay xxx for it as it is and we chose the lower option being a bit tight on funds.
That being said it is only cosmetic no damp whatsoever as a lot of Cornish properties do.
Some parts of the house haven't been decorated since the 70's !

We adore this house! It has a lovely Aga for cooking and heating the water. Central heating an open fire. Sun room and a fantastic garden for kids to climb trees and fish frogs out of the pond.

I am not sure where we stand legally on this. It would be for 7 days.
Any thoughts?

[kellybee90]

You're effectively after a house sitter - I can't see how there should be any legal implications if there's no money involved

Although if you're worried (and probably best to do this out of courtesy anyway), have a word with your landlord and let him know what you plan on doing.

[AstridPeth]

Yes really I suppose I am. Only I was thinking of perhaps inviting someone from 'up country ' who maybe wouldn't have the funds for a holiday and would appreciate a free week in Cornwall (it's not the worst place in the world after all).

[DoreenLethal]

I let a friend stay in my rented house for a week once. It all ended well, we are still mates and he replaced the tub of marmite that he ate.

[Bulletpr00f]

Sounds wonderful, when should I arrive?

[Leeds2]

A friend used to pay someone to live in her house whilst she was away, just to look after her dogs. She did pay them though. I imagine in Cornwall someone would be prepared to do it for free, just to get a holiday out of it.

[Bulletpr00f]

Seriously my siblings and I do this all the time. It''s a lovely cheap break and the only cost is you give the place a good clean and leave an m&s meal deal for the returning family.

[maddening]

when is it?

[FunnysInLaJardin]

my sister stayed at our house last year for 2 weeks while we were in France and it was fab having the place looked after. WE do own our home though, but can't see why it would breach your lease

[SushiAndTheBanshees]

Is this a surreptitious advertisement?!

[AstridPeth]

Well that's what I was hoping. To be honest we are skint and have found a bargain of a holiday staying in the broads. The children have forgone Christmas presents from us (other than a token gift and completely at their request ) so that we can go on this holiday. There really isn't any money to pay anyone but I was hoping Cornwall might swing it in our favour.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

Lovely bit of free advertising you've bagged yourself there op

Your "any thoughts?" is presumably asking about whether or not you should let your landlord know? I think you should.

When we lived in a picturesque rented cottage in Devon, we offered our lovely friends with young children the chance to have it for a week while we were away in Portugal. Having checked with the landlord first.

The difference with your scenario and yours is that these were dear, close friends of ours who we knew extremely well so we could vouch for them completely with LL and also that we didn't expect them to do any work for us.

[AstridPeth]

Maybe Sushie putting the feelers out there. It's from 2nd - 9th April Maddening.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Can I bring the dog?

[SingingSamosa]

We had friends come and look after our house/have a holiday whilst were away as we had various animals that needed attention.

The friends did look after the place and the animals were well cared for but I almost cried when I got home because it was like a bomb had hit it. The kids' toys were all over the house (instead of in the family room, where they'd been previously), all of the playdoh had been squooshed into one giant ball of nondescript colour and there were several toys/kids belonging that had been broken. It took us months to find missing parts from toys and games and some were lost forever

I swore that I'd never do it again! I might though, but I'd be more careful about who stayed...in the hope that they'd be as considerate as I am in other people's homes.

[AstridPeth]

Too be honest. It's thinking aloud at the moment. We do have friends and family living up country whom we could ask. Not totally settled on the idea of strangers in the house. However, it would be nice to bless someone who wouldn't otherwise be able to visit Cornwall.
And it's not much work. The cats don't have a litter tray and we wouldn't need the other animals cleaned out so it is pretty much just feeding them.

[SaucyJack]

My birthday is that week.....

[AstridPeth]

SingingSamosa that's just it isn't it. Don't get me wrong with 4 children out house can quite often look like a bombs gone off. But I do have high standard about how I leave a place and even when a have stayed in travel lodges before we always leave the rooms spotless and strip all the beds putting all the bedlinen nearly for the cleaners.
That being said we do have a very child friendly house with a good array of toys/games/books.

[VoldysGoneMouldy]

When should I get there OP?

If you're asking whether you should tell your landlord, I don't see why you should. You're paying the rent.

[AstridPeth]

Lol looks like I need to book a few more holidays

[Penfold007]

My dad and step-mum have pet/house sat with no problems. I would happily house and pet sit for you. Sounds like a great plan.

[Caterina99]

My parents are doing this. They got their people through a website. Housesitters something. Staying for free but have to look after animals etc

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

Erm, Voldys, there will be a clause about not subletting in op's rental agreement. Very naive pov you have there!

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

My inlaws do house and pet-sitting. They get paid for it, mind.

[Duckdeamon]

You should check with your landlord and contents insurer. The costs of a problem could easily outweigh the costs of your holiday.

Also think about how you'd feel if they made a mess, let out your hamster or whatever.

[VoldysGoneMouldy]

No, but it's not subletting if you're not asking for payment. I discussed a similar situation (not for animals but because I was paranoid about my house being empty!) with a previous letting agent, and that's what I was told.