Homes with stairs

[Silversitters]

Interesting topic . Whilst I think it would be odd for someone in U.K. to mention that their house had stairs ( which is the norm in UK , like having a roof ) .
It is something that a host should consider when selecting their sitter , especially if they are narrow or steep. We recently did a sit where the attic had been converted to a large family bathroom which had the only shower and bath in the house . The access was a narrow staircase ( not obvious from the photos. It was fine for us , but would have been difficult for some sitters .

Another issue with older properties in U.K. ( I mean 14th century old ) we have done a few sits in these characterful buildings .
During the video call pre confirming a sit the hosts asked how tall we were - which was relevant as they mentioned the low beams and how they themselves bumped their heads frequently in certain areas of the home .

[Peonie19]

@ziggy

t one sit in Europe, the internal stairs were so narrow and spiral that I could only go up and down sideways (no I’m not that big lol) and it was just awful. I had to take one step at a time so as not to fall.

Was that a spiral staircase? I believe that these should be mentioned by the HO, Or at least they should be shown in the photos. IMO they should be mentioned because they are relatively rare and tricky to navigate with suitcases, for carrying a dog up and down, or in general for people with some mobility issues. They also tend to be steeper.

[DianeS]

Stairs with any form of curve or return where the tread is more of a triangle than a square, these can be hazardous because of the reduced area for a foot. On my very first sit the HO was in the process of moving because of the stairs - it was a lovely home.

[pietkuip]

And then there is negotiating the barriers for the pets when going up or down!

I did not feel that I had mobility issues until I stayed in Brussels, where my bed was in the attic, in the “chambre de bonne”. That was exercise!

[ElEd]

I think it refers to those things yes, but also presumably you wouldn’t tick it if there were steps to enter the house and no ramp or if there weren’t at least one bedroom and bathroom with wheelchair access. So it might indeed be useful to sitters looking for a sit that doesn’t require them to use stairs, if not necessarily a house with no stairs. As it happens, our house is both a bungalow and fully accessible so I have it ticked.

[Happypets]

@ziggy

Since sitting in UK and Europe I have realised that most homes, or at least many, have usually narrow steep stairs going up and down to e.g. bathroom/bedrooms etc.

All the more reason for pet parents to post exterior pics of their homes, so that overseas sitters can recognise that various levels need to be accessed. @ziggy I wonder if your comments relate especially to those homes where the only bathroom is on the first floor? Most new homes have a toilet and washbasin (cloakroom) on the ground floor, but many older or lower value properties do not.

We’re currently sitting in a UK home where the living rooms are on the second floor and our bedroom and ensuite (the only loo available to us) is on the ground floor. Let’s just say we’re getting our steps in! This is our second time here (it’s lovely!), the first sit resulted after their confirmed sitter cancelled due to having ‘dodgy knees’ and didn’t feel able to negotiate all the stairs.

[ziggy]

@Peonie19 yes it was a spiral staircase so very tricky indeed. I tried to avoid it as much as possible.

[Maggie8K]

I wasn’t addressing the potential utility value to sitters with mobility issues. Obviously, it could be helpful to them.

Instead, I noted:

@Maggie8K

I doubt most hosts would click that for a single-story home.

And if you take a look at listings, you won’t see many hosts having clicked on accessibility as a feature.

[1MA]

I think it is a “cultural thing”.
I am used to more levels, so wouldn’t think about mentioning it.

I think that’s more often the case. And maybe it is not something the HO has to mention (because it is pretty standard in their country, so they don’t think about it), but it is something the sitter has to be aware of, because (s)he is the one who wants to go to the other culture/ country, with the different habits.

It is like the AC: in my country this is also not Standard. So I wouldn’t expect an AC in a HO houses while some sitters complain that there not even was an AC.

In some countries a microwave or toaster is standard, in some countries it is not.

Or in some countries a swift stake car is normal. in other countries they are automatic.

In some countries a pedal brake on the bike isn’t rare. In other countries it is.

In some cultures cows are hollow (so treat them with respect), in others they aren’t.

In some countries/ cultures a woman doesn’t walk with bare arms (T-shirts), in others it is normal.

In some countries a wood burner/ oil heating is standard, in other countries it is just central (electric) heating…

In some countries/ cultures public transport is free or public transport is woman and men separated.

I think that this is the beauty of travelling (and sitting) in other countries/ cultures. Those different habits.

But in my opinion it is the traveller (sitter) who has to adapt or gather information about that.
Either on internet, either asking the HO about things that are important for them, as a sitter, to know.

Because for the HO it is undoable to mention all these (for them normal and for you abnormal) differences.

[Maggie8K]

Some hallowed cows, just for the heck of it. Cheers for travel!

[Brightlight]

@ziggy true. We just turned down a sit in London that were the perfect location and dates because the entry to the flat was on level 2 and there were another two levels to the bathroom (G, 1, 2, 3, 4 sets of stairs.) Our old knees just can’t take that, especially for a quick twinkle in the depths of the night.

[ziggy]

Glad you clarified that @Maggie8K, I couldn’t quite understand what a hollow cow was But all good points @1MA .

@Brightlight, definitely four flights are too much with bad knees, and I have found that usually those flights of stairs are narrow and steep. The two flights on my last London sit were hard enough. Luckily the bathroom was next to the bedroom Out of interest did it come up in conversation with the HO that there were 4 levels? Good point on this topic.

[systaran]

I did a sit in Germany a few months ago that turned out to be a fourth floor walk-up. It was fine, but next time I will remember to ask what floor the flat is on.

[Brightlight]

@ziggy I deduced it from the well-labelled pictures, then clarified. We both agreed the sit was not for us. It was in London and we will also have the bikes (and multiple panniers) with us which would have made it very awkward. No matter. We have a lovely sit in a big house in Kent halfway between Dover and London, then another in a ground floor flat in Waterloo to fill the time.

[ziggy]

@systaran oooh that would have been difficult but good that you managed it. I hadn’t actually thought of asking about number of flights of stairs before but will be in the future as you say.

@Brightlight definitely wouldn’t have worked for you both, your other two sound great though. I’m going to miss the UK, it’s starting to feel so comfortable for me, apart from the cold

[CreatureCuddler]

I did one of these but 5th floor with a very active doggo that needed to go out multiple times a day. definitely a lesson.

As a person of a certain age who drinks a lot of water/tea, having a bathroom on the same floor I live/sleep on is imperative or it’s almost certain I’ll fall and die at 3 am. lol

[Maggie8K]

My first sit was in a guest room on the top floor, with the bathroom downstairs. I offered friendly feedback offline that nightlights might keep sitters from a tumble and the host from trouble, because of U.S. liability laws.

[CreatureCuddler]

I’ve been looking at property to buy and install a tiny house on and people keep sending me these cute tiny houses with lofts and i’m just like ‘no. i’ll die or pee myself’

[Maggie8K]

Me, too! I still love looking at tiny homes, though. Maybe I need one with a fire pole!

[CreatureCuddler]

I’ve settled on building a tiny house compound. 2-3 individual small buildings all on one floor, each for a different purpose. it’ll also help me get around getting building permits in France as they’ll all be under the sm that requires the difficult process. now I just need to hope I can find sitters who also think that’s a fun idea for when I travel. LOL