Page 5 | £20 a night?

Silverbook · 2023-06-04T07:10:17+00:00

How much would you pay for a school pupil to stay in your house while you were away on holiday? Main responsibility is to feed the cat. What’s reasonable? We were thinking £15-20 but it’s divided the room with half thinking that’s too much and the other thinking not enough. I’m reaching out the the MN wisdom and the decision here will be final.

CoffeeBean5 · 04/06/2023 12:11

@Silverbook aren't you concerned that they will bring friends over for underage drinking and sex? What if they have an accident and no one knows? You say they’re responsible but I remember girls at school who acted like butter wouldn’t melt in front of their strict parents but they lied about what they were up to (I was open with my parents about drinking with friends and who I was staying with).

Just pay them £10-15 a day to nip into your house to feed and play with your cat for an hour. No need for them to stay all day and overnight.

Sisisimone · 04/06/2023 12:07

I think people just don't understand why he has to stay in your house or why you wouldn't pay a fully insured responsible adult/cattery the same amount to take care of your pets. If you're happy with it though just crack on.
I don't think there's many people that would do this though.

Original poster

Silverbook · 04/06/2023 11:51

EmeraldFox · 04/06/2023 11:47

DS would have happily done this at 15 for £20 a day. They could go home for dinner, I assume you have WiFi? It's not being left alone for 10 days. DS wouldn't have had parties either, he's had sleepovers at 16 when I've been away and the house is tidy when I've returned, some teens just talk and game.

yes to WiFi!

Some of these posters (not you @EmeraldFox ) must think I’m inviting a vulnerable child into an unknown war zone.
Its a fully furnished, well equipped house 5 mins from their own home where they can come and go as they please.

OP posts:

EmeraldFox · 04/06/2023 11:47

DS would have happily done this at 15 for £20 a day. They could go home for dinner, I assume you have WiFi? It's not being left alone for 10 days. DS wouldn't have had parties either, he's had sleepovers at 16 when I've been away and the house is tidy when I've returned, some teens just talk and game.

Original poster

Silverbook · 04/06/2023 11:47

User63847484848 · 04/06/2023 11:40

My 15yo is super sensible but wouldn’t want to sleep somewhere alone at night

Presumably your child has offered themselves as a house sitter to your friend though which makes a big difference. This teen and their family. Have offered. They can walk home in less than 5 mins any time they want. I’m happy with the arrangement, just looking for guidance on price.

OP posts:

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/06/2023 11:45

**baby sit

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/06/2023 11:45

User63847484848 · 04/06/2023 11:40

My 15yo is super sensible but wouldn’t want to sleep somewhere alone at night

But that's your child, presumably this 15 year old is fine. I used to any sit over night at 15, persisting would've been a breeze.

Original poster

Silverbook · 04/06/2023 11:44

Mydusa · 04/06/2023 11:20

Their family "stay" 5 mins away? Does that mean they will be living 5 mins away the whole 10 days teen is there?

I would trust my 15 year old not to hold parties but it's not suitable for them to be sleeping alone and fending for themself foodwise for 10 days straight. Pay them to feed the cat and have them stay with their family. If that's not an option, why not?

Their family live in a house that is a 5 min walk from my house.
Fending for themselves is a bit far fetched, they don’t have to be here 24/7 just come and go as they please. Fully expecting them to not be here through the day unless they want to.

OP posts:

knobheeeeed · 04/06/2023 11:42

They are too young to be housesitting a stranger's house. A 15 year old shouldn't be living on their own for 10 days, which is effectively what it is.
Why do they have to house sit? Why can't they stay in their parents' house 5 minutes away and come round twice a day to visit the cat?

Original poster

Silverbook · 04/06/2023 11:41

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 04/06/2023 09:48

Why do they need to stay in your house?

I would trust a 15yo relative to feed the cat and water the plants, but I just don't see the need for them to stay in your home alone for such a long time and I suspect the novelty will wear off pretty quickly when they realise they have no company and nothing to do.

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I just prefer somebody in the house and they’ve offered. As for no company and nothing to do…..they just come and go as they please and do whatever they would normally do. They can go home, go out with friends, their part time job….🤷‍♀️

OP posts:

EasterBreak · 04/06/2023 11:40

You can't leave* I meant

User63847484848 · 04/06/2023 11:40

My 15yo is super sensible but wouldn’t want to sleep somewhere alone at night

EasterBreak · 04/06/2023 11:40

You can leave a 15 year old in your home alone for 10 days wtf op someone needs to be calling social services.

NowItsLikeSnowAtTheBeach · 04/06/2023 11:37

changeyerheadworzel · 04/06/2023 09:52

You are taking the piss. €10 a day to sleep on the couch with no food? Surprised their parents let them. Guest wifi made me laugh though. Doesn’t every house have wifi? Quiet to study as an incentive also made me laugh.

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And yet, they're delighted. They don't have to stay here, they can just drop by to feed the cats, entirely their choice

Absolem76 · 04/06/2023 11:33

Will he be staying overnight in the house alone for 10 days? 15 seems very young for that. I wouldn't be happy having a child responsible for my house and I wouldn't let my 15 year old so it

YayPizzaFriday · 04/06/2023 11:28

I would check how much in your area a chattery costs.
Thats what you would pay if you didn’t have a house sitter.
Otherwise at 15 they can’t really be responsible if someone brakes in, they’re too young.
So all they are doing is feeding the cat.

RichardsGear · 04/06/2023 11:22

For a one off night or weekend, maybe. And that would be my own 15 year old (well only my sensible eldest at that age, because I know for a fact my younger two would've thrown open the doors to all and sundry 😂) . However someone else's 15 year old, in my house, alone for ten days? No thanks.

Mydusa · 04/06/2023 11:20

Their family "stay" 5 mins away? Does that mean they will be living 5 mins away the whole 10 days teen is there?

I would trust my 15 year old not to hold parties but it's not suitable for them to be sleeping alone and fending for themself foodwise for 10 days straight. Pay them to feed the cat and have them stay with their family. If that's not an option, why not?

MaxwellCat · 04/06/2023 11:16

unfortunateevents · 04/06/2023 11:12

15 is not too young to stay home alone! Mumsnet is crazy.

They're not at home though, they are being responsible for someone else's house! If they live 5 mins away and the only responsibility is to feed the cat why would they even be staying overnight? Why not just go in a couple of times a day to feed and play with the cat, take in the post and check on the house? What is it that they need to deal with overnight in your house?

I already said in my post I wouldn’t do this situation as it sounds odd but the horror of a 15 year old being alone at night is ridiculous

LlynTegid · 04/06/2023 11:14

Should be visiting the house twice a day to feed the cat, not staying there.

keyboardkat · 04/06/2023 11:12

I don't understand why they have to stay over every night if they live 5 minutes away. Do the cats need to be bathed and tucked in or what?

200 quid for a cat so you can go on holidays? Look I know cats and pets are precious to their owners but seriously?

That kid's parents are laughing out loud at that great deal. Where are they going on hols with your cat's pyjama money?

unfortunateevents · 04/06/2023 11:12

15 is not too young to stay home alone! Mumsnet is crazy.

They're not at home though, they are being responsible for someone else's house! If they live 5 mins away and the only responsibility is to feed the cat why would they even be staying overnight? Why not just go in a couple of times a day to feed and play with the cat, take in the post and check on the house? What is it that they need to deal with overnight in your house?

Sisisimone · 04/06/2023 11:04

bet the parents suggested it. £200 plus you feed them for 10 days and they don't have to do any parenting over a week

I know, right 🤣

MaxwellCat · 04/06/2023 11:00

I lived alone at 16 so eye rolling at a lot of these comments a 15 year old is perfectly capable of being left alone overnight I didn’t have wild parties I was and am an introvert, however I don’t get why they need to stay overnight? I personally wouldn’t have them stay over don’t get why that’s needed

TooJoy · 04/06/2023 10:57

I think £20 is very generous!

Are they having to stay the night or will they just be popping in to feed the cat?

I think if they’re having to stay the night then £20 is ok but if they’re just popping in to feed the cat once a day then £5 is enough.
If you can afford it I’d do £10 a day just to give them extra thanks.

Do they know they’ll be getting paid?

I do this regularly for free for my neighbours and would not expect to be paid for it at all.