I would not accept a sit where i had to pay for parking. I do try and get sits where there is off road parking. I dont think its fair to ask a sitter to pay for parking.
2 Likes
I guess the HO would just want the sitter to come without a car, but I need a few bits and bobs for work and in the past getting public transport has just been impractical. Not to mention doing a food shop without a car is limiting.
Think my biggest annoyance this time is them listing there’s free parking when there isn’t, then inviting me to sit without even a message or a phone call when it says on my profile I need somewhere to park my car. If I hadn’t of double checked it would have been very awkward on arrival.
2 Likes
Id just do a polite message to them just say youve just been double checking a few bits and bobs and could they clarify the parking situation, say that your a bit concerned as you arent in a financial situation to have to pay for parking.
If you do have to pay id consider cancelling, they have obviously misled you.
They actually declined my application because they didn’t want to provide passes after I asked about them.
3 Likes
Seems like you dodged a bullet, as they clearly already have misrepresented the sit, saying it was free parking when it wasn’t. Sorry you had to waste your time on that.
6 Likes
Hello all,
I have officially been invited to a sitting although I haven’t formally accepted yet. The HO is currently on a trip and I’m waiting for her to come back so that we can have an online chat.
In the meantime, I’ve been giving a thought about the parking. I know this is an apartment with underground parking where the HO has her car parked. I’ve been told that there is free parking on the street usually within one or two blocks. Is it just me expecting too much, or shouldn’t be an act of courtesy from the HO to leave the car on the street and allow the sitter to use the underground parking during the sitting? I am just conscious of the fact that I’ll be travelling with a lot of luggage and it would be handy for carrying the shopping home or some possible extra stuff into/from the car.
I think the lady is more senior than I am, I’m trying to be understanding on that, but just thinking about it. Thank you for sharing your opinions.
I would not want to leave a car parked on the street for days or weeks. It might not even be legal. In some pleaces, cars must be moved every 24 hours, or maybe there is street cleaning.
Most apartment buildings have parking spaces for visitors. That might allow you park close while unloading luggage.
It would be very generous of the HO to give you her reserved parking space. I would never expect it.
4 Likes
This is something you will obviously be bringing up with the HO when you have a chat @Mokina. Is anything mentioned in the listing about parking being provided? My car is currently parked on the street with the owner’s under the carport. However, it is a safe area and a very wide street and I have no concerns about it. Just discuss with the owner then decide whether it is a dealbreaker or not for you.
Seems to be expecting too much. Sure, it would be more convenient for you, but street parking a car for a long stretch could lead to problems. If anything happened to her car on the street, would you be willing to cover all costs and trouble, since it would’ve been left on the street for your convenience alone?
We have had to navigate this exact situation several times in San Francisco. I usually do quite a bit of research myself, as I find that the owners are not even aware of the rules in their neighborhood.
In San Francisco, the actual resident (owner) needs to apply for the “guest” parking permit, so when this is required, we offer to cover the cost (for 2-4 weeks’ stay) for our car so that we can conveniently park on their street while we are there. The cost is around $50-100 USD.
There have been times when the owner has graciously covered this cost. Other times, we covered the cost. Overall it felt trivial to us. Not a big deal for staying in a wonderful home in San Francisco, with a sweet dog.
All of this should be figured out during the “vetting phase.” During the video chat and subsequent email conversations, you can make sure that you have a parking permit to park in the area near the home.
Owners who are elusive or uncooperative would receive a hard pass from us. Lots more fish in the sea!!
2 Likes
It is legal to park cars on the street @Lassie even for several days. If residents who don’t have a reserved parking and who park on the street had this problem when they go on holidays, there would be a lot of trouble. Abandoning a car on the street is illegal, however it is a matter of leaving the car in the same spot for several months or years. Usually it is up to residents to report the vehicle and they have to prove it with dated photographs. Authorities wouldn’t be able to remember each vehicle where is parked and how long for.
Yes @temba when I have a chat with the HO I’ll ask if it is possible to park the car just for a few minutes beside the entrance. This will allow enough time to unload luggage from the car, I’ll then see from there.
I wouldn’t be responsible if the car was damaged @Maggie8K (like the HO wouldn’t be responsible if my car got damaged), unless I drive her vehicle myself into the street, obviously I wouldn’t do that.
@PVGemini I’ve been informed that the parking in this area is free, but good to know this and I’ll double check to be sure when we meet online.
After all, I don’t think this is going to interfere with the choice related to the sitting, but I thought of checking with you. Thank you 
Why should the host take on the additional risk of leaving her car on the street when she has a perfectly fine parking spot?
2 Likes
I think that’s asking a lot. I’ve lived in cities and wouldn’t leave my car parked on the street when I had a secure parking space. I wouldn’t want to have to worry about my car while on a trip. You should discuss the parking situation with the HO, if there is free street parking nearby, I don’t see the issue.
1 Like
I had a sit in Atlanta and the HO paid for my parking, since he couldn’t arrange guest parking in his building. I am now in downtown Detroit, nice area, but it is open parking, even for HOs and I was told not to leave anything in the car because it would broken into. I am here for 3 weeks. And traveling cross country after Thanksgiving, so my car is packed. I had 15 cases of selzer, flavors my daughter and I like that were on sale on the eastcoast. I had to bring them all in. Also, because the weather is going much colder.
Honestly, I feel that if a listing doesn’t mention parking, and you don’t discuss parking during a chat, this is on you – the sitter. Recenlty we completely a short Seattle sit. Parking wasn’t an issue as we relied on mass transit but we decided to add on a 4 day mountain vacation and rented a car the last day. I’d briefly discussed street parking with the host who thought there was some near by, but when I picked up the car on Saturday from the airport rentals (since that’s where we’d be returning it) I discovered rules were in effect even on Saturday and all parking was 2 hour parking without a permit. So I called the homeowner to ask for advice or if she had a guest permit or something we could use. As it turned out, they had driven to the airport – not their original plan – and the space was available. Problem solved.
I would never ask someone to street park so that we could have a space. I would check to make sure if people had an extra car in the driveway that they’d leave it so there would be room for us to park. I also accept for most city sits where mass transit is possible that parking might be a problem. I also host and discourage sitters from bringing a car, but if they do, I tell them what I know about streetparking and local rules.
2 Likes