AIBU to think this isn't really my problem and I shouldn't be paying for it?

[EvangelineP]

We have gone abroad for 2 weeks holiday and have left one of the TAs from my DCs school to house sit/dog sit. We agreed on £30 per day. The professional companies charge £35 - £40 per day but are bonded/insured etc. She doesn't need to walk the dog as friends are doing it. It's really just to keep our old dog company really as he wouldn't cope with being left overnight. This morning she texted me to say she had a leak in her flat and has had to go back and forth to home every day to let the builders in and wants to be reimbursed for her travel an extra £5 per day. While I do feel bad that she has had a leak in her flat I don't really see why I should pay for her travel. I'm fairly sure I will pay it to not be awkward but I'm not happy about it. AIBU?

Go with the 'see you right' text, but bring back the cheapest, most horrible bottle of alcohol you can find as 'compensation'.

We had a leak recently. The emergency plumbers came out same day but remedial work took some time whilst insurance assesors came out then various tradesmen came and did their bit. So cumulatively only three or so days' work but spread out over a few weeks.

If the TA's house has had a leak so catastrophic that it takes a full week or two to fix then either a) the damage is so severe she would have needed to move out anyway or b) she would have already scheduled the work in with the insurance co. and could have cancelled dog sitting/made OP aware of the situation beforehand. She is definitely trying it on.

I would say 'no problem, will sort it when we get back'.

Sit down and go through it with her.
Then pay her the £5 per day. But reduce the £30 to £15 as she wasn't there for half the day/night. Oh and only pay her for the journeys that she provides receipts for. You could get your bill right down. Job's a good one.

Do you have a friend or family member who could step in?

As you're away you may not have much choice but to pay it, she has you over a barrel, but it's bollocks. She won't be there dogsitting so she's actually charging you extra to do less. You could just not pay it when you come back but then you'll still be seeing her at school. She's got you over a barrel.

She gets the leak fixed now then remedial work waits until she is back home. Unless she trusts the builders with a key.

Can the friends who are dog walkers step in?

I was going to post the same as Doreen

When you get back and sit her down she will backtrack on the £5/per day if she thinks you will deduct all her days away from the house.

Just keep her sweet so she looks after your old boy

Sorry for repeating that she has you over a barrel, I didn't mean to rub it in!

I would say yes because the idea of a confrontation when I get back would ruin the rest of my holiday, and then I would fantasise about asking to see her receipts when I got back, but not actually having the nerve to do (and most people I know would say I am quite 'conflict prone' rather than 'conflict averse' )

I would console myself by not using her again.

Actually, I've just read Doreen's response, and hers is better than mine! Good old mumsnet. Definitely agree now though so you're not worried about the dog in the interim.

schadenfreude - could be longer because you can't replaster until the walls/ceilings have dried out and may use dehumidifiers which need to be turned off.

If OP can post here, surely she can appeal to dogwalking neighbours to see if elderly dog can move to theirs and cancel the "house sitter"? It's not clear how long OP has left of her holiday. If she were to get that in place she could ask them to collect keys and dog and let the house sitter go hang.

When we had damp requiring dehumidifiers the contracters took care of everything. We only popped in for our own curiosity and then maybe once a week (we had months of drying and an extensive underfloor leak). She is taking the piss, you know this, I don't think she'd be horrible le to the dog but go with pp advice and discuss on your return. You can ask in detail why every day, how many times, what was the leak, how long was dog left etc and explain that as she should have done it In the time others were walking the dog you don't really feel it's your expense to cover and actually thanks anyway but you won't be using her again for similar arrangements. Cheeky bugger expecting more than what is already a massive amount to essentially cuddle a dog! I'd do it for free (or at least some wine)

First, check her bill from the workmen and then take the number and check how many days they actually worked and needed letting in etc.

Whatever you do, do not say you won't pay her while you're still away. She may decide to abandon the dog overnight.... Say you will deal with it when you get back.

Seriously cheeky, and manipulative. I'd pay it but then put in a tax claim to hmrc as she'd definitely declare the extra income... right?

Sue for breach of contract?
I can understand why you are worried. I personally would opt for not understanding the text & reply with oh that's kind you are deducting £5 a day as you won't be with Rover as much. Hope you get the leak sorted in a day or two, Angie & Rob will still be popping in to walk him, see you in 10 days!

So she's running backwards and forwards to her own home, when she is being paid to stay in yours, and is also expecting you to fund her travel?!

What a bliddy cheek! You should be reducing what you are paying her to allow for the fact that she isn't actually fulfilling the task you engaged her for. Your poor old dog - she won't know if she's coming or going. Could one of your dog walking friends perhaps get a professional in on your behalf and maybe even stay a night or two with your dog until there is someone in place?

I would be worried that, if she is prepared to pull a stunt like this, she isn't even going into your home at all except to feed your dog. I would also be concerned bout getting the keys back from her if you do get another "minder".

Perhaps as others have suggested, saying you will see her about it when you come back would be the best thing.

She is a cowbag!

Ooooh! Sohelpmedog - nice one!

How awkward. I would definitely ask how long the works are going on for.

Presumably the work is covered by insurance , if she would have had to move out they may cover other "expenses" . As it is she is living rent free so saving them money potentially. Do you suspect she may have planned some work anyway for this time, it seems rather convenient that the builder is readily available for non emergency work.