Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Flip

Original poster

Charge for housesitting?

21 replies

MirandaGoshawk · 27/08/2018 13:01

DS's ex boss asked him if he wanted to housesit their gorgeous house while they are away for a week, looking after their dog and chickens. DS didn't (is working all day so couldn't leave the dog). So I offered, because it's a change of scene and I fancied looking after the animals. I can work from home.

The thing is, I'll be flitting back and forth between there and home - about three miles - and also I feel that I am responsible for their animals/home for a week, and should be paid a few quid. He didn't say anything to DS about payment; he implied that DS would have a sort of holiday in a posh house.

They haven't done this before because a relative had the dog for them, and they have only just got the chickens. If they'd got a 'Trusted Housesitter' they wouldn't have to pay the person, I don't think, although they pay to join, and they do kind of know me.

OP posts:

RedHelenB · 27/08/2018 16:36

I think if you've offered you can't expect money unless it is offered.

serbska · 28/08/2018 20:43

If they didn’t discuss payment with your dS kinda sounds like they are swapping holiday in a nice house for the house/animal sitting.

A ‘proper’ house sitter might get paid £30-£50/night.

I’ve stopped using paid for house sitters and use people from TrustedHousesitters.co.uk instead where you swap pet sitting for free accommodation in a mutual exchange.

The ‘free’ sitters have actually been better than the paid sitters!

laptopdisaster · 28/08/2018 20:50

Have you started? If you agreed to do for free, you can't suddenly ask for money once they are on holiday!

Caselgarcia · 28/08/2018 20:53

They made the offer to your son with no payment offered. He declined, you volunteered so no, I don't think you should be paid. They could have approached someone else who would do it for free.

Original poster

MirandaGoshawk · 30/08/2018 17:56

I've started. What you're all saying rings true. But I'm doing a favour for people I don't really know - rich people. Surely my expenses isn't too much to ask? I hope they offer, once they're back and they realise I've done a good job.

One of his friends stopped by today to check that all was OK and virtually the first thing he asked me was whether I'm getting paid! I said we hadn't discussed it, and he said I should be paid as the dog alone is a tie/commitment.

It's not that I agreed to do it for nothing, just that it wasn't discussed. It was a last-minute invitation. I don't think he would've asked me if there had been anyone else in the picture because it was some time before he got back to me after I'd offered. There are other people who he probably asked, like the aforementioned friend, but they must've declined.

OP posts:

PositivelyPERF · 30/08/2018 17:59

I do think you should be paid, however, sorry OP, it’s too late now, since you’ve already started. Hopefully they’ll at least give you something.

Original poster

MirandaGoshawk · 31/08/2018 19:12

Thank you.

OP posts:

indianwoman · 31/08/2018 21:41

Why didn't you discuss a fee beforehand? Seems very silly you are just hoping they'll offer. If they haven't brought it up beforehand why do you think they will after?

Jamhandprints · 31/08/2018 21:47

No. A lot of people enjoy house sitting. If you don't you shouldn't have offered. You didn't have to do it.

prettygreywalls · 31/08/2018 22:04

I would expect around £50 per night , but I'm not sure you can ask this as you didn't make any financial agreement beforehand ,

SD1978 · 31/08/2018 22:41

I wouldn't expect to pay you- and £30-50 a night- may as well have the dogs in a kennel and someone nip round and feed the chickens every few days. Personally- I'd probably offer you £100 when we got home, but you took it on without asking for payment. They had thought they were getting a young adult in who would be happy to have a bit of freedom and instead got their parent. That was your choice though. Maybe they'll bring you back a nice present?

NonJeNeRegretteRien · 31/08/2018 22:48

I didn’t know this was a thing. I’m clearly a total muppet because I would happily go and stay in someone’s house, play with their dog and not expect a penny...

If someone housesat for me I would probably get them a gift rather than pay them.

Ohyesiam · 31/08/2018 22:52

I’ve house sat a lot, and it’s usually a gift on their return, and you get a little holiday and to pretend you have a different life for a while !

SD1978 · 31/08/2018 22:54

I do always love the dichotomy on these types of post......from I'd do it to for free (my experience of housesitting, with a 'naice' gift given) versus I wouldn't do it for less than the price of a hotel every night. It's what gives me the biggest giggle on MN.

Bimgy85 · 31/08/2018 22:55

Yup looking after animals and house I would expect at least 20/30 a day.

Comfortandjoy · 01/09/2018 11:09

We use housesitters and I know a few others that use them. Usually house sitters stay and look after animals and house in return for accomodation - like an air B&B for animal lovers.

grumiosmum · 01/09/2018 18:32

Wait and see if they offer you something when they get back.

At the very least I'd expect a lovely present.

I paid a friend £25 a day to dog/house sit, but it was very last-minute and all discussed & agreed in advance.

Original poster

MirandaGoshawk · 04/09/2018 12:14

OK, thanks to you all. Yes, SD1978 - it's very interesting! I do really appreciate your comments and you have helped me.

I've come to the conclusion that Ohyesiam's comment about 'you pretend to live a different life for a few days' is what's relevant here.

They did bring me back something I can use, so that was nice. They don't know I wanted cash, do they? I didn't speak up and they aren't mindreaders. Never mind. I'm glad I did it.

OP posts:

ThisIsNotMyRealName1 · 06/09/2018 05:23

A friend occasionally house and cat sits for us; the dog goes to the kennels, he is high-needs and no way would we inflict responsibility for him on anyone

There is always food and wine in fridge/pantry, and money on the counter. She never takes all the money, saying she has a vehicle and fuel card provided as part of her job.

I love that we can go away and know the house and cat are in good hands. I would never use someone from a house sitting site, only someone I know and trust will get keys to our home.

TheDowagerCuntess · 06/09/2018 07:19

We use house-sitters to look after our dog when we're away - we go vis a house-sitting website.

No money exchanges hands.

The sitter stays somewhere for free. The homeowner gets their pets/home looked after.

We'd get a gift, depending on the length of the sit, but that'd be it. You don't get your 'expenses' paid, any more than we'd charge you for the heating/electricity you used.

And this case even more so, as you stepped up and offered to take over someone else's arrangement.

AJPTaylor · 06/09/2018 08:18

Lol. Friend who knows them probably knows them to be tight. Hence the question about payment. Prob asked friends and they pointed them to an agency.

Flip