Page 14 | To ask this about housesitting etiquette

libertybonds · 2024-08-23T16:37:14+00:00

We are looking after a variety of plants and animals for friends of friends while staying in their (very nice) property. They have asked us to contribute to the cleaner, which is £100/week They would probably have the cleaner come anyway as they want to maintain the relationship. But it's true that the cleaner will be tidying up the house while we are there creating a normal level of dirtiness from showering, kitchen use, etc. Would you contribute? How much?

Portfun24 · 23/08/2024 18:08

Absolutely fucking not, I just paid 450 pounds for my cat and dog to be cared for and was happy house was also safe and filled the fridge too. I'd reply and say "Having thought about it, seems a bit silly us being out of pocket by doing a favour, we will just stay home where we dont require a cleaner, so will leave you to employ a professional pet/house sitter, enjoy your holiday."

Intriguedbythis · 23/08/2024 18:07

I am paying 440 a week for someone to watch multiple animals and plants x me! So I say they are taking the P

They should at very least be paying you patrol costs and filling a bountiful fridge for you.

Original poster

libertybonds · 23/08/2024 18:06

soundsys · 23/08/2024 18:05

Do they live somewhere that's, like, a holiday destination? I guess I can see if your staying in their house in Cornwall or something for your holiday then they're thinking they're saving you £££ on accommodation so that kind of cancels out them paying you as it's a win-win...

Clutches at straws a bit

It's a nice area, but not a prime holiday destination by any means

OP posts:

user47 · 23/08/2024 18:06

Holy shit some people 😂😂😂😂

Original poster

libertybonds · 23/08/2024 18:06

Desrae · 23/08/2024 18:00

Well this is the crux of it. Is it an inconvenience to you or are you treating it as a nice holiday? If it were a holiday most people wouldnt mind paying a little, but if its more a case that you are doing them a massive favour then its very cheeky of them to ask you for contributions.

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We are treating it as a nice holiday and it was possibly presented as something that might be nice due to the house's proximity to nice nature trails and stuff. But it's kind of a lot of responsibility tbh

OP posts:

soundsys · 23/08/2024 18:05

Do they live somewhere that's, like, a holiday destination? I guess I can see if your staying in their house in Cornwall or something for your holiday then they're thinking they're saving you £££ on accommodation so that kind of cancels out them paying you as it's a win-win...

Clutches at straws a bit

Sunraysunday · 23/08/2024 18:04

Agree with a PP… Hi CF friend, happy to go halves on the cleaner, take it off the balance, hope you’re having a good hols…. 😈

LumpyandBumps · 23/08/2024 18:04

I would be ecstatic if someone came and looked after just my dog for free.

Do you fancy a break in sunny Suffolk? 😂

I am surprised the tight wads haven’t tried to bill you for the electricity you’ve used.

Andwegoroundagain · 23/08/2024 18:03

Can't imagine asking someone to contribute to cleaner when they are house sitting for free.

I think I'd just say "no, we won't be contributing " and leave it at that

Tbskejue · 23/08/2024 18:01

What a joke, no way. They’re getting free pet sitting!

Saintmariesleuth · 23/08/2024 18:01

If you aren't being paid then they are being exceptionally cheeky. I am not one to hold a grudge, but I would never house or pet sit for them again.

There is good reason that they waited until you were already there to spring this on you.

Desrae · 23/08/2024 18:00

libertybonds · 23/08/2024 17:56

They mentioned it once in person as a sort of surprise question and as pushovers, we said maybe we wouldn't mind but nothing was really agreed.

We don't live nearby.

Show quote history

Well this is the crux of it. Is it an inconvenience to you or are you treating it as a nice holiday? If it were a holiday most people wouldnt mind paying a little, but if its more a case that you are doing them a massive favour then its very cheeky of them to ask you for contributions.

Titsonboard · 23/08/2024 18:00

I would say no to the house sitting now as a matter of principle, even if you had quite fancied it. Let the CF’s find someone else to house sit for free and also contribute to their cleaner bill.

wippandzipp · 23/08/2024 17:59

£100 a week contribution for the cleaner. Do they live in a Manson? No, definitely not on.

angelinaballerina7 · 23/08/2024 17:58

How exactly do they think they’re doing you a favour and therefore that you should contribute?! YANBU, don’t pay a penny.

LouH5 · 23/08/2024 17:58

I had to read that twice to make sure I read it right!

Absolute cheeky fuckers! Unbelievable.

I pay a cat sitter £10 a visit, twice a day, to come for 20mins each time and feed/cuddle/play with my cat. For a 7 day holiday that’s £140. And she’s only there 40mins a day. My DREAM would be to have someone stay there full time and give her lots more attention and fussing, but I dread to think what the rates for that would be. These people are so lucky to have you there the whole time looking after their house, and they now want you to pay? THEY should be paying YOU if anything. I’m horrified. Please do not pay this!

Original poster

libertybonds · 23/08/2024 17:57

We are being paid nothing, just get the pleasure of living in their nice house for a few weeks. (We actually have a nice house of our own, but it's a change of scenery so we don't mind)

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steadywinner · 23/08/2024 17:56

Absolutely not - you're saving them the cost of putting dog/cat/whatever other animals they've got in kennels!

In fact if it was me I'd check kennel prices locally and let them know how much I'm saving them!

Original poster

libertybonds · 23/08/2024 17:56

Desrae · 23/08/2024 17:42

Well presumably you had this conversation before agreeing to the housesitting??

Is it a holiday for you or do you live next door??

They mentioned it once in person as a sort of surprise question and as pushovers, we said maybe we wouldn't mind but nothing was really agreed.

We don't live nearby.

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Anewuser · 23/08/2024 17:55

To be fair, if I were getting £200 a day for your services, then I’d contribute £100 a week for cleaning. But I expect you’re not getting anything like that. So it would be a big fat No from me.

GoodVibesHere · 23/08/2024 17:52

Bloody hell no I wouldn't contribute to the cleaner. What a cheek!!

RockyRogue1001 · 23/08/2024 17:51

Cheeky fuckers!

BreadInCaptivity · 23/08/2024 17:51

Tell them you will pay for the cleaner if they pay you the same rate (or double) for your house sitting service.

TheClawDecides · 23/08/2024 17:51

Find out how much a professional house sitter, animal carer charges and bill them for that.

Cheeky fuckers.

IntrepidCat · 23/08/2024 17:50

YANBU. They should be paying you. Live in house sitters who also care for plants and animals cost an awful lot more than £100. You should respond to ask how much they will be paying you so it can be deducted from that. They are CF.