Relative is house-sitting - advice on turning everything off!

JennyW_2

wonder if you can help me.

For 5 days in August, my sister-in-law is house sitting in order to look after our dogs. Whilst I'm very grateful as I'm reluctant to use kennels, we will be paying her.

Now I'm very good at turning off lights every time I leave a room and after years of nagging, have now got my husband to do the same , however I'm not sure if this is a habit my SIL and her 10 year son do. I have visions of both TV's being left on, lights on etc.

How do I nicely request that they turn things off when not in use? Shall I say something along the lines that our last elec bill was higher than usual so we're trying to make an effort to turn things off? Would that be OK?

I just don't want to sound condescending

horsechestnut

It is only 5 days and is will stay light well into the evening, so not too many lights.:rolleyes:
Just accept it on this occasion.:rotfl:

JennyW_2

horsechestnut wrote: »

It is only 5 days and is will stay light well into the evening, so not too many lights.:rolleyes:
Just accept it on this occasion.:rotfl:

I know, it's just that I've never had anyone stay in my flat before.

Would you be offended if asked to turn things off?

Ducks_Bum

JennyW wrote: »

I know, it's just that I've never had anyone stay in my flat before.

Would you be offended if asked to turn things off?

How could you possibly be worrying about someone else costing you an extra pound when they will be saving you a fortune.

Give your head a shake.

If you told me to watch the amount of electric I use while doing you a favour like this I would tell you to look after your own &^%$*(& dogs!

brightonman123

ask them nicely, ot get a timeswitch?

[Deleted User]

Don`t ask them. They are doing you a big favour as it is. I would be offended and would make sure that I would not be available again. Trust them

duchy

Sorry but I'm with the "say nothing" crew too.
It's only five days and the fact you are paying her isn't the point-she's doing you a big favour as the kennel would be a LOT more -plus the dogs probably wouldn't be as happy. It isn't worth offending her over-and yes if I was helping a family member out and they came out with something like that-I'd probably not do it for them again.
So say nothing.......or book the dogs into kennels and keep your flat unocupied (and at greater risk of burglers).

Chester_Draws

Perhaps you could leave some subtle hints around for her, such as:

1. Remove all the light bulbs, write sign "Use only in emergency"

2. Remove the fuses from plugs

3. Set the TV on a time switch to go off at 10.00pm

4. Draw a line around the kettle with a sign that says "Dangerous to fill above this line"

:j :rotfl: :j :rotfl: :j

Ducks_Bum

Chester_Draws wrote: »

Perhaps you could leave some subtle hints around for her, such as:

1. Remove all the light bulbs, write sign "Use only in emergency"

2. Remove the fuses from plugs

3. Set the TV on a time switch to go off at 10.00pm

4. Draw a line around the kettle with a sign that says "Dangerous to fill above this line"

:j :rotfl: :j :rotfl: :j

When you start doing things like this and treat people like unwelcome idiots in your home then moneysaving has taken over your life and you need to chill out.

PBA

Chester_Draws wrote: »

4. Draw a line around the kettle with a sign that says "Dangerous to fill above this line"

Why are you letting them have access to the kettle? They won't need hot drinks in August.

Seriously, they're doing you a favour (even if they are being paid, they're still saving you money). If you really want to be pedantic though, take a note of the meter reading when you leave and get back, and knock the cost of the units they've used off what you're paying them.

Ducks_Bum

PBA wrote: »

Why are you letting them have access to the kettle? They won't need hot drinks in August.

Seriously, they're doing you a favour (even if they are being paid, they're still saving you money). If you really want to be pedantic though, take a note of the meter reading when you leave and get back, and knock the cost of the units they've used off what you're paying them.

!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: