To ask this about housesitting etiquette

[libertybonds]

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?

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.

I'd be leaving them a bill!!!

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.

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!!

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

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.

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

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

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?

I updated them on the situation and then mentioned the cleaner should not be sent on our account 😳

I really have problems with being assertive in these grey area situations where there are social ties etc. I'm slightly better where I am (for example) a customer.

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.

@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?

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

6 animals plus they have a load of plants that require maintenance

I would say it's minimum an hour a day, with some tasks to be completed twice a day (so we are really tied to the house).

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

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

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.

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.

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

@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!

It's a very large and beautiful house with lovely grounds in a boring but picturesque town in the countryside. We have other reasons why the location is desirable for us.

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 ).

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!

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!

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.

"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.