To ask this about housesitting etiquette

I think I'd be taking photos and a video of how I left the house too, in case they tried slagging you off.

@libertybonds I have two rabbits, and they are not low maintenance pets. FYI, I pay £15/day when we go on holiday.

What is the total number of pets you’re looking after?

If that was the deal, that was the deal. If you weren’t happy with it you should have declined, but as you are apparently now in their house and you had said you could “maybe” contribute and then didn’t go back on that but arrived for the house sitting, then you need to pay up, sorry. You’ve learned something. Next time be clearer.

Oh come on @libertybonds !! This is becoming comical now 😂

They will be charging you for the "joy" of staying in a petting zoo soon!

Please, please tell us you have actually corresponded your annoyance with them - and made clear you will NOT be paying a darn thing?

No! They want you to sit, they should be the ones paying you if they are wanting to go down the payment route!

Are they angora rabbits OP? What with the alpacas have you accidentally gone on holiday enslaved yourself to a wool farm?

You've really not given enough information to know how far this piss take extends.... how many animals are you actually looking after? What's the daily routine? How much time are you spending on the animals? Have you told them a cleaner isn't needed because you was hoping this wouid be in exchange for animal care? And will do the cleaning yourself.

Next time just release the python into the woods. It won't take long to find the rabbit.

Op id message and say no you won't be paying for the cleaner to clean the house! Say that you'll consider your unpaid pet house and plant sitting as payment for that!!

I work as a housesitter/petsitter. Sometimes I will work for expenses, e.g. if it's a friend. But most of the time I am paid a daily rate based on the responsibilities I'll have. I'm fully insured and very experienced and though I don't charge loads (compared to some) I definitely expect to be paid.

You should definitely not be paying them anything. But you really should have agreed the terms clearly from the beginning. I think cancel the cleaner and send an email to them outlining your responsibilities, adding, I think you made a mistake re. The cleaning, as obviously we wouldn't be paying for a cleaner after we leave! Treat it as though they obviously didn't mean it. They can't force you to pay.

I'd be leaving them a bill!!!

I wouldn't be paying them anything. Housesitting shouldn't cost the house sitter anything other than their travel.

I have someone to house/pet sit now and again, just for one cat, through a housesitting site. Neither of us pay the other one anything as it's mutually beneficial. Actually I do leave her a little money as I think I benefit more from the deal, but she doesn't expect it.

They're being complete and utter CFs.

We paid one of our DC's highschool friends (a 17yr old, so old enough to be responsible) $250 to house/pet-sit while we were away for 7 days and considered that a bargain!

We left the fridge fully stocked and she was allowed to have friends around (with a "no parties please" request 😀) and we left her cash on the kitchen counter in case she ran low on any essentials...

You're working by looking after their pets, keeping their pets company, and by looking after their house.
Dettering burglars, available for deliveries etc yet you're expected to pay for the privilege!!

I've house sat many times and have always been paid for it.
Usually the most of the school summer holidays, so around 6 to 9 weeks.
It is a big job as you can't be as lax with things as you would in your own house.

We were able to sort a leak at one time which would have been a nightmare to have not been detected for when they were away.

Another time, the son had left his vilux window wide open before heading off on their holiday and we arrived to find his bed drenched after some heavy rain. Took ages to get it dry and avoid it getting moldy.

Cat needed vet attention once which we sorted.

Cleaned after ourselves when we left and always left some fresh bread, milk and eggs for them.

Although a beautiful house, you can never fully relax as you're always on the watch/worrying about the animals dying on you or getting lost.

Our rate was £200 a week as a couple but they'd leave extra for emergencies and pet food., always left wine for us as well as a bit of food.

One family didn't pay and when they asked the next year (last minute as they expected us to jump at the amazing opportunity) we declined.
Couldn't get anyone else so they had to leave their dog in kennels which cost a fortune, unfortunately had their car stolen whilst away so learnt the hard way.

Your people must be rubbing their hands with glee to have found you OP.
Never sit for them again.

Wow. We pay our house sitter £30 per night for watching our dogs when we go away (2). All we ask is they are fed and walked through the day, nothing else needs done.

Do you regularly do pet sitting, if so I’d be interested in using your services 😊

Have you not come across companies like UK Housesitters? People needing a house/pet sitter for any length of time sign up and search through a list of people willing to house sit for free just for the opportunity to live in a different house for a while. Both parties pay an annual fee to the agency then you can use them as much as you wish - no requirement to pay anything to the house sitter.

There’s no way I’d pay for a cleaner! They’re getting an in house pet sitter for free, the least they can do is make sure their house is clean for you for your stay.

Some of these answers are based on being very grateful for a “free holiday” which it isn’t. It’s pet sitting which is a paid for job just like cleaning is.

Then ignore it. Seriously, you're working hard, for free. Don't mention it, like I said in my last comment!! If they bring it up, remind them of what you've done for them.