Aibu to think about inviting someone to stay in our house for a week while we are away?

[AstridPeth]

That's about it really.
We live in Cornwall. Not far from several lovely beaches and fantastic countryside walks.
We are going away to the Norfolk broads for the week in April and although my mum would come in daily to look after our menagerie it would be easier and more practical to have some one stay here for the week.
I am thinking of offering our place for free on return for letting out and feeding our chickens daily. Feeding our cats and giving them cuddles. And feeding the hamster and rats (also preferably giving cuddles). No cleaning out would be necessary as we would do this before we go and on our return.
Here is the thing...
We live in rented accomodation. Our landlord is totally lovely and very laid back. To be honest I don't think we have seen him for the best part of a year.
The bungalow isn't in the best condition and when we took I on it was a case of pay xxxx per month for it done up or pay xxx for it as it is and we chose the lower option being a bit tight on funds.
That being said it is only cosmetic no damp whatsoever as a lot of Cornish properties do.
Some parts of the house haven't been decorated since the 70's !

We adore this house! It has a lovely Aga for cooking and heating the water. Central heating an open fire. Sun room and a fantastic garden for kids to climb trees and fish frogs out of the pond.

I am not sure where we stand legally on this. It would be for 7 days.
Any thoughts?

It's not subletting if you're not charging anything though!

Don't see how it's any different to having friends to stay with you tbh, especially if it's family you trust to look after the place.

Well we would happily do that for you! If you are serious then we would! We were hoping that week as it is my DS's birthday and always like to spend it in the beach.
References available.

In all honesty, I think it is a lovely idea and a great solution to pet sitting. I know people often pay house sitters but for the right location like you have, you won't have any problem.

I was up for it until you mentioned the rats. Can't do rats. We have chickens and we've had hamsters and cats. Love Cornwall we went down there in August. Seriously as said shouldn't be a problem but if it was me I would probably check with landlord. There are Housesitters organisations on the Internet. Good luck.

Booked my train ticket already, OP !

If you were paying a pet-sitter, that's not subletting, and your LL doesn't need to know (but no need not to tell them either) - but your insurers might: though anything would be covered through the sitter's own insurance/agency (which is why, if you're paying, it's best not to do it by paying a mate etc).

If you're not paying a pet sitter, unless your contract says you have to let the LL know if someone's staying over, you also don't need to tell them. However, again, you should speak to your insurers, as having a stranger without payment/insurance etc might cause issues in case you need to make a claim.

The one time I asked a mate to do it (she was living in university dorms, we had a lovely little home and a garden) it went rather wrong - we got in from the airport at 2am to discover she and her bloke were still in our bed: so we ended up in a dodgy and over-priced hotel for the rest of the night. After that, paying the girl from up the road was cheap at five times the price !

You should check out homeexchange.com - we do this all the time now. Free accommodation plus the security of knowing your house is occupied, pets fed, etc.

If it's a friend, fine. Don't have a stranger in your house. That's insane. They could nick your stuff / trash the place and leave you with damages. I doesn't sound like you're going to run the proper credit checks and get a deposit. I doubt your LL would be as laid back as you think.