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?

Oh come on @libertybonds

Message them about the rabbit problem, and make it very clear how annoying it was. Message them about every annoying thing that happens. At the very least make it plain how much work you're putting in and hopefully they won't ask you again, because at this rate you'd probably say yes 🙄

But the best thing you could do is to tell them, in light of all the work you've done for free, them asking you to pay the cleaner is a downright insult.

How come this wasn't sorted out in advance?
They can't spring it on you now - you could just go home.

I paid €340 to have my dog minded for a week. You are also looking after plants and the property is safer because the house is occupied. I would find out what the normal fee for house-sitting etc and tell them if they expect you to pay the cleaner then your bill will be whatever the going rate is. Even if you don't charge them it is no harm that they know how much you are saving them!

This

Hi Lyraloo. No I don't do house sitting but might take it up later. I was just informing you about these agencies which bring together pet/house owners and sitters who don't get paid, just swap their services for free accommodation. Ther are lots but here's one of the best known: https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/
Good luck with your search.

I'd look up prices of pet care in their area and if they get pushy let them
know how much you've saved them.

At no point did she agree to pay a cleaner for cleaning their house after she left. Agreement is null and void. Read the full thread next time.

Thanks to everyone for giving me the courage to push back! I politely explained that we can get the house to how it was when we arrived, and it sounds like the cleaner will be coming anyway - clearly they weren't too keen on paying for something that in their hearts they knew was just a running cost of the house.

That's good - have they replied?

Yes, they just accepted it!

Hope they now realise what it ridiculous right arses they were being.
No good deed goes unpunished eh op!

Good for you @libertybonds

When you get home, block them!

CF asking you to pay towards their cleaner. Just tell her if you had a spare £50 you'd be paying a cleaner to clean your house while you're away so you could return to a clean & tidy home. Let her know you'll be tidying up after yourself while you stay at hers so if she wants her cleaner to still come over she pays her herself.

Op I salute you for catching a run away bunny!!. No easy task ime.

Only when armed with a broom was I ever successful!!