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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask this about housesitting etiquette

364 replies

libertybonds · 23/08/2024 17:37

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?

OP posts:
MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 23/08/2024 17:48

sunsetsandboardwalks · 23/08/2024 17:40

I wouldn't be contributing a penny.

Pet/plant care is bloody expensive. Tell them that a professional would be charging them a lot of money to do what you're doing!

This!!!!!! What the actual fuck!

MzHz · 23/08/2024 17:46

I’d be clear that house sitting is usually something that’s paid for, it’s expensive too, they can absolutely FTFO with you subbing them for their cleaner,

if they didn’t get that, I’d decline to do the house sitting

cheeky fuckers

Puzzledandpissedoff · 23/08/2024 17:46

Augustisnearlydonesogoodbyesun · 23/08/2024 17:43

Pay the cleaner and invoice the cheeky fuckers for the pet and plant care at the going rate....

This would be perfect, except I guarantee OP would never get paid

More likely there'd be a faux-tearful "but I thought you were doing it as a friend"

MolkosTeenageAngst · 23/08/2024 17:45

No way. I wouldn’t contribute anything, I’d rather hoover the rooms I was using myself. Are they paying you to house sit?

CluelessAboutBiology · 23/08/2024 17:43

Just how big is this house that it costs £400pm for cleaning? 😮

Augustisnearlydonesogoodbyesun · 23/08/2024 17:43

Pay the cleaner and invoice the cheeky fuckers for the pet and plant care at the going rate....

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??

Everyoneisdifferent · 23/08/2024 17:42

Well tbh I think they have a cheek asking you to contribute to the cleaner.
Surely you are doing them a favour by looking after the plants and animals. And surely you will be doing the normal clearing up after yourselves when using the kitchen, bathroom etc?
Why should you have to pay the cleaner when they would be coming routinely anyway?

libertybonds · 23/08/2024 17:41

I have realised I didn't provide a key to the AIBU

YABU: pay the whole fee or at least something
YANBU: fuck that, they should be paying you

OP posts:
sunsetsandboardwalks · 23/08/2024 17:40

I wouldn't be contributing a penny.

Pet/plant care is bloody expensive. Tell them that a professional would be charging them a lot of money to do what you're doing!

LoneHydrangea · 23/08/2024 17:40

You are helping them by house sitting and looking after animals? I’d contribute zero towards the cleaner unless they pay you for your services. Cheeky, tight fuckers.

Slobberchops1 · 23/08/2024 17:39

Fuck that , no way would I give them
a penny . The cheek of it ! Go home and tell them to pay for a pet sitter .

LadyCurd · 23/08/2024 17:39

No I wouldn’t contribute. Think it’s outrageous they have asked tbh as you are doing them a favour!

Stoptherideiwanttogetoff24 · 23/08/2024 17:39

That’s crazy we’re paying our house sitter!! Not expecting them to contribute toward our cleaner!!! Plus put food in the fridge for them!! They are cf’s!!