My partner and I are going overseas for approximately 1 month next week, we looked into booking our 2 dogs into a kennel for this period but it will work out much cheaper and better for everyone if we have a close friend stay here in our absence to mind the house and dogs. Should I notify the property managers of this arrangement? Can they stop us from doing this? Thanks!
They can't stop you from doing it so its probably good courtesy for you to let the property managers know in case something comes up from their end.
Thanks for the feedback. I would prefer to be honest about it with the managers and respectful to landlord by notifying them, just don't want to complicate the situation and have the managers coming around hassling our guest. Also the quarterly inspection may fall in our absence which could complicate things further...
England, Wales, Scotland then kefalonia (Greek island) for a family wedding. Can't wait, never had a holiday this long before!
Let the PMs know out of courtesy, and give them contact details of your friend for while you're away (and of course give your friend the PM's contact details also). Ask the PM if it they would mind shifting the date of the quarterly inspection to when you get back. They may be happy to oblige since you're doing them the courtesy of letting them know about the housesitter.
Way better for the dogs, we get house sitters in all the time now, no horrible kennels Have a great trip
I house sat for a friend's clients once - totally unrelated to me - never met them before. Only for a week and really wanted me there because of the dog. Just did it as a favour for my friend. They insisted on giving me the going rate for a kennel, which I didn't want or need. A token gift like a nice bottle of wine I could understand. Is it normal to pay a house sitter (especially if pets are involved)?
The house sitter is getting free rent (a grand per week or more in Sydney) - possibly a little something for the pet care.
Kennel is $420 per week for both dogs and that's without including our cat! As MTR said much better for them to stay home, and us. It's definately normal to pay for house sitting, I think it's fair to pay up to kennel rates depending on the situation, can't really call rent enough payment as most people have their own place they would prefer to be in. Our guest is a close friend so will probably gift $300-$500 for helping out. Thanks for the advice all, will visit the PM this week.
