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?

£100 a week contribution for the cleaner. Do they live in a Manson? No, definitely not on.

I would say no to the house sitting now as a matter of principle, even if you had quite fancied it. Let the CF’s find someone else to house sit for free and also contribute to their cleaner bill.

Well this is the crux of it. Is it an inconvenience to you or are you treating it as a nice holiday? If it were a holiday most people wouldnt mind paying a little, but if its more a case that you are doing them a massive favour then its very cheeky of them to ask you for contributions.

If you aren't being paid then they are being exceptionally cheeky. I am not one to hold a grudge, but I would never house or pet sit for them again.

There is good reason that they waited until you were already there to spring this on you.

What a joke, no way. They’re getting free pet sitting!

Can't imagine asking someone to contribute to cleaner when they are house sitting for free.

I think I'd just say "no, we won't be contributing " and leave it at that

I would be ecstatic if someone came and looked after just my dog for free.

Do you fancy a break in sunny Suffolk? 😂

I am surprised the tight wads haven’t tried to bill you for the electricity you’ve used.

Agree with a PP… Hi CF friend, happy to go halves on the cleaner, take it off the balance, hope you’re having a good hols…. 😈

Do they live somewhere that's, like, a holiday destination? I guess I can see if your staying in their house in Cornwall or something for your holiday then they're thinking they're saving you £££ on accommodation so that kind of cancels out them paying you as it's a win-win...

Clutches at straws a bit

We are treating it as a nice holiday and it was possibly presented as something that might be nice due to the house's proximity to nice nature trails and stuff. But it's kind of a lot of responsibility tbh

Holy shit some people 😂😂😂😂

It's a nice area, but not a prime holiday destination by any means

I am paying 440 a week for someone to watch multiple animals and plants x me! So I say they are taking the P

They should at very least be paying you patrol costs and filling a bountiful fridge for you.

Absolutely fucking not, I just paid 450 pounds for my cat and dog to be cared for and was happy house was also safe and filled the fridge too. I'd reply and say "Having thought about it, seems a bit silly us being out of pocket by doing a favour, we will just stay home where we dont require a cleaner, so will leave you to employ a professional pet/house sitter, enjoy your holiday."

So you've moved into their house to look after their animals and their plants for free and they want you to pay for their cleaner??

WTAF?

Tell them you've changed your mind and you're going back home, they can pay for a pet sitter and a house sitter and the cleaner themselves.

CFs.

This is a brilliant response !

CF of the highest order! I’ve got someone coming to housesit for me soon to look after my dog and although they don’t want paying I will be paying their petrol, leaving a full fridge (and wine), and a cash float to cover coffees and treats. I’ll also be paying for my regular cleaner and dog-walker — it wouldn’t occur to me not to.

They’re definitely taking the piss, and I’d be deleting them from my Christmas card list if I were you. The arrogance and entitlement of some people never fails to surprise me.

Is this in an area that is become a holiday home for the week? Let's say cotswolds for example?

How many / what kind of animals?

They obviously think you're getting a free holiday, hence asking for a contribution for the cleaner so I'd pay £50 per week for the cleaner but charge whatever the going rate is for the pet sitting.

Erm this is so beyond the realms of being reasonable that half of me is thinking 'is this real'
Obviously you shouldn't be contributing towards a cleaner.

I would not be paying towards the cleaner. I’d probably say something like: “Oh, I thought we were doing you a favour. Don’t worry. We’ll just stay home.”

And I would mean it. I wouldn’t want that sort of responsibility for people who can’t immediately see what a huge favour it is and are trying to get you to cover some of their costs. God knows what their attitude would be like if something went wrong.

Errr what! No you shouldn't contribute and who the hell pays a £100 a week for a clean!?! Hope you don't have a naked cleaner turn up op 😂

No I would bloody not contribute! You’re doing these people a bloody favour, the cheeky fuckers!

It's a shame this wasn't agreed before they went away.
when did they ask for the money and how many hours does the cleaner do?

I wouldn't ask a housesitter to contribute, that's preposterous! Xx