As the founder of Sit Stay Explore, I’ve had my fair share of house and pet sitting experiences. However, one particular sit in Gisborne, New Zealand, taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of clear communication and expectations, especially when it comes to utility bills.
The Setup
I was asked to house sit for three months during the New Zealand winter in a large villa in Gisborne. This sit was sandwiched between two other sitters – apparently, no one was keen on staying in such a spacious home during the coldest months of the year. Little did I know, this reluctance would soon make sense to me.
The Unspoken Expectation
When I accepted the sit, there was no mention of utility bills in our agreement. The homeowner asked me to air out the children’s rooms regularly, which I did whenever the weather permitted. She also advised me to use heaters if I noticed any dampness developing. Given the size of the house, I used this guidance judiciously.
The Surprise
About two months into my stay, I received a message from the homeowner. She expressed distress over the power bill, which had come to around NZ$500, and asked me to cover it. This came as a complete shock – there had been no prior discussion about me being responsible for utility costs.
The Hidden Context
What the homeowner didn’t know was that during the handover, the previous sitters had shared some interesting information with me. They mentioned that they had specifically avoided sitting during winter due to the cold. More importantly, they revealed that the owner’s typical power bills during winter were around NZ$2500 per month, due to extensive heater use.
The Resolution
Faced with this unexpected request, I decided to handle it diplomatically. Without disclosing what I knew about her usual winter power consumption, I asked the homeowner if she could provide the previous winter’s power bills (when she was in residence) so we could work out a fair solution. Interestingly, after this request, she never sent the bills and dropped the issue entirely.
The Lesson
This experience taught me a crucial lesson: never assume anything in a house sitting arrangement. It’s far better to have a clear structure in place from the beginning, outlining all expectations, including those related to utility usage and payments.
As pet and house sitters, we’re providing a valuable service. We’re not only caring for beloved pets but also maintaining homes, often resulting in lower utility usage compared to when owners are in residence. However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared for discussions about utility costs, especially for longer sits or in extreme climates.
Moving Forward
At Sit Stay Explore, we now advocate for transparent communication about all aspects of a sit, including potential utility contributions for extended stays. We encourage both sitters and homeowners to discuss these matters upfront and include any agreements in writing.
Remember, a successful house sit is built on trust and clear communication. By addressing potential issues before they arise, we can ensure a positive experience for everyone involved – sitters, homeowners, and pets alike.
Have you ever encountered a similar situation during a house sit? How did you handle it? Share your experiences in the comments below!