To ask this about housesitting etiquette

Are you 'house sitting' because they needed a house sitter, or because you needed somewhere to live?

They have responded to my text about not needing the cleaner by trying still to make us pay for the cleaner (and making clear that they want the cleaner to come in any case ).

Well, this isn't really a problem given the mechanics of payment that you described. They are paying the cleaner themselves by bank transfer and seeking reimbursement by bank transfer from you. Reply saying that if they want the cleaner to come, that's fine but you will not be paying for her.

And don't.

Honestly, OP you really need to find some backbone here. I know it's hard in a slightly grey area but being walked over like this is not a good example to your kids. They sound relatively young and I'm sure you haven't shared all the ins and outs but I bet they've picked up on your feelings.

Look, you need to respond and state that you are not willing to pay for a cleaner. Full stop. It really is as simple as that. If they reply and try to argue with that, ask them who can they ask to pet sit in your place as your agreement is over. You don't have to explain yourself any further. It's not exactly a nice deal for you if you're spending the whole time feeling anxious about their frankly fucking ridiculous expectations.

I like Richmonds snswer but probably wouldn't be brave enough. But I think I'd need to keep reminding myself that it really doesn't natter how annoyed they are, you can leave with no detriment to yourself but they need you to look after the animals so I might persuade myself to send the message eventually. They are being completely unreasonable and you are in the right so you shouldn't feel awkward about sending something like that.

Say you’re not paying for the cleaner whilst you do them a favour to house sit. CFs

"So we get to clean up all your pet's shit and keep them alive and care for them AND pay for the privilege? Hard no. The least you can do is pay your own cleaner as you usually do.'

FFS

6 animals and cage cleaning wouid be significantly higher than £30 a day but ye to everything else.

Time to just reply “lol.”

I can’t believe I’m reading this! They actually want you to contribute towards the cleaner? I’d tell them you can’t do it anymore! Watch them backtrack very quickly as finding pet sitters is not easy.

@RichmondReader a good message but that number of animals and level of care would cost considerably more than £30 a day, I'd say a minimum of £50.

Please please just be clear with them!

Hi there

Noted that you still want the cleaner to come. To be clear, we are offering our services for free in return for board. We were happy to do this despite most pet sitters charging around £30 per day. We would not however, be happy about being out of pocket for a service that we neither want nor need. It's entirely up to you whether you have your cleaner come whilst you are away, and we are starting to feel embarrassed that you keep trying to pass this cost on to us.

All is well here.
Best
XXX

What did they say?

I think just be polite and straightforward.

Hi CF, we agreed to do the animal and house sit for free in exchange for accommodation. We're sure you agree this is a fair deal, given the going rates for housesitting. We obviously will keep the house clean and leave everything as we found it. If you wish to hire a cleaning service once we leave, this is entirely your choice and will of course be at your expense. If this arrangement doesn't suit you, we are happy to hand over the house and petsitting to someone else. Just let us know who we should hand over to and when. If you would like a recommendation for an agency that may be able to provide someone at short notice, let me know. All best wishes.

OP, DM me if you need an agency name and number!

I agree with the above texts. They think you are the biggest mugs, and to be honest you are to allow them to be such complete CF's towards you.

The vulgarity of them arguing the point over £100.
OP, for goodness sake find some self respect.

"Dear CFs
Regarding your latest message about the cleaner. We were happy to come and look after your animals and plants for free as a mutually beneficial arrangement with the use of your property.

It is taking us around an hour a day to do everything that is required, we are ok with that but it is not fair that we should pay for your cleaner when we are saving you hundreds of pounds on a professional pet sitting service.

Let us know if you would like to engage different animal care services and we can leave immediately."

Or no way I would send that, just keep reiterating " We are happy to clean for ourselves, don't make the cleaner come on our account " and wilfully misunderstand her messages.

What did they actually write in response?
Think I'd just answer as though I'd misunderstood. Oh OK if you want to pay the fee that is OK you will let them in/ make yourselves scarce whichever you were planning on doing.

Tell when you are happy to wait 48 hours and pass the keys on to a new housesitter and add a link to a company charging hundreds!

Oh wow I'd tell them straight that you feel this is a mutually beneficial arrangement that wasn't expected to cost either party money!

@libertybonds I'd just message them saying that on second thoughts you don't need a cleaner as you're happy to do the cleaning yourself, but if they want to keep paying their cleaner to come then that's fine too.

I can't believe you're house sitting for FREE! They should be paying you as trying to get a reliable housesitter is expensive!

Are they being serious????? You are looking after their pets and they want you to pay!

There is no need for a back and forth though.
The OP can choose not to engage in it.
She has told them not to have the cleaner on her account.
The message is clear.
No need to respond futher.
CF's like to argue the point when they want to use someone.
I have found after I have said No to something, I am under no obligation to reply to any futher texts.
I have found it most effective.

To look after 6 animals would cost well over £500 for a week at a reputable company. They really are taking the piss asking you to pay the cleaner. Hope you get everything sorted to your satisfaction.

But how desirable in the location? Beachs? Countryside? Or was the whole thing a flop.

Yes the social ties are what wouid prevent me having a back and forth