I have just started doing a sit in the UK and the weather has suddenly changed to rain and a lot cooler at nights. During my induction, I was shown where the heating controls were but not explained how to use them. I was told that the owners can also control the heating remotely. The other day, because I was cold after a few nights, I asked if I could turn the heating on for a few hours each night and some time in the day if required. I was basically told ‘no’ and also questioned as to how I can be possibly cold during this time of year (September). It might be unseasonably cold, but the fact of the matter is I am feeling cold at night despite first wrapping up in layers. Heating in Britain has already been discussed in other threads, and after living here for 20+ years, I can confirm that they do have a reputation for keeping houses cool (cold?)!
I find this response quite unreasonable. I understand HOs being worried about large bills and that is fair enough and I hate wasting energy out of principle, but I was only asking for heating 3-4 hours in a day and only if required. Essentially they are withholding the right to control the heating and seemingly will only allow it once it’s deemed ‘cold enough.’
The point I’m trying to make and the question I would ask THS - is there a policy about HOs controlling the heating and taking it out of the hands of the house-sitter? I see this as potentially an emerging and growing issue. I am finding more and more homes have remote control apps and ‘smart homes’ are becoming more common, even in Air Bnbs. Usually, those homes with remote controls or set heating times during the day tell me I can override the system if I need to and I have done that sometimes, but try to avoid it out of respect. This situation is different.
What is the view of THS and others? Should this attitude be allowed? I think there maybe should be some kind of policy on heating control as there is around cameras inside the house.
THS terms say a home should be habitable. I would venture to say that heating and cooling are part of that. And it’s unreasonable for a host to tell a sitter that they’re not hot or cold. It would be like me telling you that you’re not hungry, because I’m not.
In the OP’s place, I’d contact THS to see whether they can intervene. Or I’d offer the host the choice of turning on the heating or my leaving.
Seriously though. I would do a bit of weather history research and then message back to them.
'We need to revisit this. I am not experiencing September weather, I am experiencing _________ weather and am very uncomfortable. ’
If necessary, I would then employ @Maggie8K’s suggestion re contacting THS or offering to leave. PLEASE include in the review.
I’m in Scotland, I’ve had my heating on over the past few days. Though i have relatives in England who haven’t.
As others have mentioned, personal preference is also a factor.
EDIT: It is due to be warmer this weekend
EDIT 2: In the article, how to prepare my home for my sitter? It states that the house should be made comfortable. Speak to the pet parent in the first instance. If both parties aren’t able to resolve things, reach out to member services for further support.
I would tell her if she will not allow you to turn on the heat then you will have to give her 24 hours notice to depart as this is hazardous to your health. You don’t want the flu or bad cold or have the pets get sick. I don’t know if leaving is an option for you or not. To be perfectly honest I would have not asked her and just put it on. If she writes in the review that you put on the heat without asking, it makes her look bad. I would respond to the review by saying, I did not know I had to ask permission to turn on the heat in a very cold house. I was thinking of the health of the pets and myself. As a sitter if I read that I would not apply to sit there.
I think that if I ever knowingly find myself sitting for someone who has such remote control, I would tell them they have to agree to relinquish that control for the duration of the sit. In writing!
I think this is the most annoying aspect of it, questioning that I could be cold. As Chrissie points out, yes it is warm today so no problem! But at night it’s a different story. Last night I was outside and there was vapour from my breath, so I guess I’m not making it up
Every HO I’ve sat for has told me to adjust the heating/cooling to my comfort level. Of course, I’m mindful of energy usage, but I don’t think I should be uncomfortable. This is an exchange, a sitter should not be uncomfortably cold. I’m an adult and shouldn’t have to ask permission to use heat on a sit. Fortunately, I haven’t experienced HO like this. I hesitate to take sits in the UK in winter because of this issue, even though I’m from an area that is far colder than the UK.
Being cold doesn’t cause colds or flus but being in cold, dry air can weaken the immune system which makes it more difficult for the body to fight off viruses or bacteria. Cold temps make it easier for people to get sick.
I’ve noticed how suddenly the uk weather went from “summery” ( including warm evenings) to “autumnal” (with warm days and cold evenings) and I wonder if the HOs think we are still in the former. Would it be worth letting them know the inside/outside temperatures at, say, 7 or 8pm?
It would be helpful to warn other sitters off such mean hosts by writing accurate reviews.
By contrast, I’ve had great hosts who not only told me to make myself comfortable, including via the thermostat, but also they must’ve been hearing about their home city’s temperatures via social media, the news or such, because they’d message me to say something along the lines of, it’s looking cold back home so please feel free to boost the heat so you and the pets stay warm.
I mention that, because such hosts exist and there’s no chance I’ll sit for mean hosts when there are good hosts to be found. For me, I’d rather not sit at all than sit for mean ones, and I’d appreciate honest reviews so I can avoid them.
It dropped to 4° on the south coast this past week- I’ve got a min/max thermometer in my greenhouse. However we’ve not turned on the heating but have started to close doors and windows and wear different clothing.
I suppose it depends on your location-and how exposed the house is and how it’s built. If it’s a stone cottage on the Yorkshire Moors that’s very different to a middle floor flat in a City.
Why ask? I can’t imagine you’re asking to use the stove, hot water or any other amenities of the home? Why ask to use the heat? Did the profile of the home you’re in check off “heating” as one of the amenities? If yes, use it.
Most modern thermostats can be operated remotely and it’s possible your host will override you turning the heat up. If that happens, turn off the home wifi when you need to turn up the heat. End of that problem.
