housesittes

[terfenerf]

has anyone had any experience of house sitters?
we have two dogs and have a couple coming to stay for a week to look after them.
What do I need to do?
obviously i will leave the dog food etc but for the sitters?
Already so stressed with cleaning every where to prepare for them I feel I should just have stayed home and not bothered about going on a holiday at all !!

I'm a house sitter OP! I think it's different if they are paid or volunteering - I only do the unpaid kind. I see it as an exchange - I get a free holiday somewhere nice and they get someone respectful of their space and taking care of space plus animals. It's OBVIOUSLY nice if it's clean but I never expect food - as long as the basics are there to start me off, then I usually get a delivery or pop out to the local shop. I'm usually told to eat anything I like and I'll eat up anything that would be thrown away if I don't eat it but I'm totally happy buying my own food.

Don't stress too much! Hopefully both you and the sitters will be happy and pleased with the arrangement.

Oh you sound perfect!!
I'm not sure we qualify as a holiday destination!! East LONDON
I am paying them but not a huge amount just feel that they are uprooting themselves but you have made me feel better

But I frequently go to London and think of it as a major holiday destination! The place doesn't have to be palatial to be a holiday - I get to do all the things in London that I love - galleries, markets, just the whole buzz. Have they seen pictures of your house? If so they'll have an idea of where they're going and won't be expecting you to magically transform it into something it's not. Relax, it'll be fine.

We have had volunteer housesitters a few times. I make sure the house is clean ( I get a cleaning company in but could do it myself). Make sure there is wardrobe / drawer space for them and that there is space in the fridge / kitchen cupboard for their own food if they need it. I usually tell them they can use any food / wine left in the house (although one lot drank my gin and didn't replace it - wasn't so happy about that!) Make sure their are instructions on appliances, fuse box etc left in a folder with contact numbers for vet, dog walker, friendly neighbour. Usually leave a list of local places of interest and restaurants and leave a few takeaway menus. You need to let them know of your local dog walking places and take them out for a walk with the dogs so they can all get used to each other with you there. Give information on dog feeding / routine. If you don't want the dogs let offlead make sure they know.

We use Trustedhousesitters (so don’t pay for sitters) and still work myself into tizz every time but I’ve completed a handbook based on the website template which gives details of contact numbers for emergencies, vet, plumber etc, where things are kept, how things work (especially the tv), foibles of the house, restaurants/takeaways etc etc. Some sitters really appreciate it, some never look at it, but at least it’s there if they need it.

Things that I do specifically for sitters:
Always make sure they know where extra towels, bedding, bin bags and cleaning things are kept
Try to make space for them to put some personal things, hang clothes etc
Bathroom shelf space for their toiletries is mentioned by sitters as an expectation by some on their community forum on the Trustedhousesitters site so clear space for them if you can

Good luck, enjoy the fact that you won’t need to spring clean again for a while, and have a lovely holiday!

Thankyou all fir the advice and reassurance