Workmen on site, all day, every day

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
21

I just accepted a 2-week sit today, only then to be told

“We are also due to have the house re-painted whilst we are away so there will be a painter here on the weekdays - he shouldn’t get in your way and has come recommended as being tidy. I will make sure he doesn’t paint your room whilst you are here. Phil, the painter may well appreciate the odd tea or coffee if that wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

Needless to say I responded and said that sadly that wouldn’t work for us. I have to ask - would anyone really feel that was ok? 2 weeks of Phil the painter being around Mon-Fri?

I’ve always been pragmatic about the odd job here and there and even making coffee/tea for people, but for us this feels like a huge overstep.

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22

I wouldnt think this os at all acceptable. I would have pulled out too.
Thsnk god they informed you though!

23

Not ok for us.

24

The fumes alone…that is simply unacceptable.

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25

Isitusit, that is too bad that a home owner would think that was acceptable and just mention it in passing .

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26

You made the right decision @Isitusit as it definitely violates the 3rd party regulation. Those owners need to be made aware of this by THS. They obviously don’t want to be about when their house is being painted, but they’re not concerned about someone else putting up with it.

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27

I would decline the sit. That is a big imposition and the fact that the host treats it as an after thought: that is not cool.

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28

Hi will be doing my first sit next month so getting to know how this all works. A couple of people on this thread have mentioned ‘rules’ regarding third parties not being permitted in a house during a sit. I have searched for these as I would just like to check them out both from a sitter and HO perspective (although I don’t envisage any problems on my sit). Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

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29

@LizBCN

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30

I hope when you said it won’t work for us that you also mentioned it’s a violation of the terms of use of the site and they’re 100% not allowed to have any 3rd parties there during the sit. Many people just don’t know. The last sit I did was a mess on several levels. One was that they were selling so they asked if I could leave with the dog so the estate agent could give a tour. I had to let them know that I was not ok with that and they’d have to reschedule as it was a violation of the TOS and I was not comfortable having others in the house unsupervised when it was under my responsibility. The HO had no idea it wasn’t allowed.

31

Hi @LizBCN I see that @Snowbird has helped steer you in the right direction, is everything clear now or do you need any additional help?

32

Thanks Angela. Yes, Snowbird’s reply was very helpful. Now I just have to get to grips with the availability calendar!

Liz

33

Hi @LizBCN I’m back, but I can’t take credit for the following gem. :wink: it’s @anon36831737 's great work. :clap:

1 Like
34

After reading this thread, luckily we don’t have the same issues with workmen in our housesits, but it’s kind of related. We seem to have been cursed with the ‘neighbours construction’ curse. 4 of our last 6 stays (housesits and Airbnbs between housesits), neighbours have had some construction work going on. We work from home, so it is quite annoying to say the least. We now started thinking that the owners might know about the upcoming works, although we’re not 100% sure in all cases…it might very well become a question on our initial chats as well.

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35

If workers have disrupted your stay, and changed it from a pleasurable experience to something you didn’t consent to, then it’s not a fair exchange and the HO should have a paid sitter imo. Why would anyone enjoy staying somewhere that is having work done all day.

2 Likes