I don’t think we are setting expectations with anyone. We are all individuals and it’s not like a “corporate “ everything must be done by the book.
Communication is everything. State your boundaries.
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Expectations gets blurry, though, if no one bothers to read the terms and just goes with the flow—especially when it comes to cancellations, vet bills, or unexpected third parties.
A listing full of dreamy photos of a house that travelers can’t actually stay in…That’s pretty much the textbook definition of not knowing the terms
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I can see why it would feel uncomfortable to know that the animals are in other building – for safety reasons, I’d prefer they were in the same house. Having said that, I love having separate quarters, but that has nothing to do with the pets. It’s easier to care for your own little space, and it offers privacy. We can never know the reasoning for the choices other people make. Perhaps they feel it’s a way to have both a “drop in” sitter, and someone on-site if needed.
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Yes, agreed. My last sit was in lovely guest quarters in the house. Yet it was bummer that my sit dog couldn’t get up to the third floor, because of his senior legs. It sucks to not be close to pets, IMO.
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We have had 2 sits recently where we stayed in the HOs airbnb and it was great. A simple place easy to clean and no heirlooms! We look for a place with a sweet animal and an interesting location to explore. We have had sits with big houses, maids, gardeners, and a pool guy. Give me a one bedroom with a bed big enough for my wife and I and the dog/cat and it’s all gravy.
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Even when I stay in a large home, I close off as many doors as possible. I try not to use more than 2 bathrooms. I like taking advantage of hot tubs and pools, but cleaning extra bathrooms or more sitting rooms is not my first choice. Since I was just sitting a puppy, the main living room was gated off from the puppy and I saw no need to sit there. I watched TV in the study. Though there was still another sitting area that was open. Another I could close the door. 4 sitting areas, if I chose to use them. Dusting, vacuuming etc. No thank you. If the offered accomodation is pleasant, good bed, bathroom, I would take it. Though I would not want to be in another building as the pets, that is bizarre..
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Yes! Last week I was invited to a last-minute sit with two nice dogs and a large home. Their profile highlighted that they would move the dogs’ beds into the newly renovated guest apartment above the garage. Pictures showed a clean setting with tiny tv on the wall, very small dinette, small windows and more. Responsibilities included walking around the outside of the main house to check for leaks, etc.
I declined the invitation and added this, “Have you considered opening up your home to sitters or at least giving them a choice of where they will spend their days and nights? That could make it more attractive to some sitters. It’s always nice to know that the homeowners are trusting us with home and pets, just as this non-paid arrangement was meant to be.”
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I’ve just spotted a listing in Normandy that looked interesting. Until I read that the sitters will sleep in the Gite on the land which ‘is very rustic but has all modern conveniences’ but the dogs will all sleep in the main house and have access to the house throughout the day. There is no mention of the sitter having access to the main house…
Scroll on…
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I think I’d feel the same way as you and be tempted to say so.
@Lokstar
Which house is shown in the photos ?
Hi @UKSITTER1
Thanks for highlighting this topic - it’s been interesting to read through everyone’s replies.
I’ve passed the discussion over to the team to take a look, just for feedback.
Jenny
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@Silversitters I just had another look at it. Pics are all of the Gite so its not misleading in that respect but they don’t speak of any use of the main house, except for the dogs sleeping there & them having access. Just seemed odd to me..
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Might it be that the owners are actually being considerate? Until a potential sitter asks why (if it really bothers them) they won’t know the reason behind the offer of alternative accommodation.
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@DianeS
That’s possible, I suppose, but unlikely. There is no mention of there being a choice of accomodation. Just the clarification that the sitters will sleep in the Gite and the dogs in the house. I think its different if the Gite is used for family/friends- when the HO is home- to give everyone space. But when the HO is away it would be more appropriate & expected (imho) that the sitters sleep in the same house as the dogs. It feeks like the Gite is used like servants quarters for the sitters.
I may be wrong but that was my impression and it was a turn off.
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I still think that if this would otherwise be a good sit (location, animals) it would be worth having a conversation with the HO to clear up assumptions on both sides. The HO might be thinking it would make things easier for the sitter, and the sitter might be feeling put out.
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@DianeS Certainly there could be a conversation. However, the only way for sitters to contact the HO is to apply. If I saw that the sitter will stay in a rustic gite, I would very swiftly scroll on, I wouldn’t waste my time writing an application. I think it’s on the HO to be clear about sitter accommodations in the listing. If they do want to provide choices, they could say that the sitter has the option of a separate unit or the main house (and I have seen listings that say something like that). I can only assume that what they say in the listing is what they mean. So, if they are open to the sitter staying in the main house, it’s up to them to be clear about it in the listing.
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Yeah, I’m finding it really hard to think of reasons it would be an advantage to the sitter other than:
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the house is undergoing building works during the stay, which the HO should disclose in the listing as it’s still likely to impact the sitter (and counts as third parties, the property is not just the house but the whole place).
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the house is dirty or otherwise uninhabitable (but this isn’t something that has struck me about these listings.)
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the house is huge/full of valuable antiques etc, so fair enough some sitters may prefer the other option, but it should be an option and not dictated.
Let’s be honest, in 99% of these listings, it’s going to be that the HO doesn’t want/trust the sitters in their home.
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I agree with @UKSITTER1 , what we find unacceptable is when the listing shows a photo of a lovely property and then on closer reading it transpires the sitter is to stay in a tiny, poorly equipped annexe in a converted garage (or similar). It should be imperative to show the available accommodation, not to bait listings with property which is off-limits. There are quite a few UK listings like this, unfortunately.
We’ve also stayed in some really lovely holiday homes adjacent to the main dwellings. They’ve always been the properties pictured in the listings, so no misrepresentation at all. Transparency is surely the issue, here.
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Just seen two sits this morning - so had to add to all the comments so far.
One was advertised as stunning home, the other designer flat. When you keep reading, the sitter is staying in separate, lower quality accommodation.
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Yes, unfortunately it seems to be increasing. Likely used for tiny short-term rentals when the HO is around. Even seen a listing today with no furniture at all - completely stripped. Apparently, it’s quite easy to get around the terms and rules. It’s too bad
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