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.
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