Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay my colleagues £500 for looking after their house and cats?

Kerri23gan

Unless it was discussed before the trip then definitely not. I would face them down, it's wrong for all manner of reasons 

rooma

I use Trusted House Sitters if I go away - this is one of a few companies that your collegues could have used which would have cost them @ £100 for a year's membership.  The house sitters are free, they can post details of their property and pets onto the website with the dates they want and sitters can apply to them via the website. They are folk who like seeing different parts of the country without paying for hotels, all are checked out and have references. If they want to charge you £500 rent I would invoice them £500 for taking care of the cats and house and suggest they use Trusted HouseSitters in future! 

Chocolatewillow

Hi
Our house sitter charges £45 per day and all additional charges associated with the pets, including travel to pick up anything additional that was needed, we think that's a great deal. You were not only looking after the cats, you are feeding and looking after their welfare.  You were also responsible for the security of the property a big ask. Especially as some insurances won't cover a property being unoccupied for long periods. 
Just take him/her to one side and explain you thought it was a win win situation, they went away, you looked after the cats and property, saving them the cattery fees (£15 + per cat per day or somebody to feed the cats £10+ per day) and you saved on travel expenses. 

wicked-weasel

Agree with nearly every post. We go away for a month in the summer and our 2 Bengals are looked after by a lovely person or couple from "trustedhousesitters.com". The insurance point many have raised is a valid one - I know! We leave a few things to get them going in the fridge / cupboards and bottle or 2 of wine on the side, a freezer full of cat food and log our credit card/phone# with the local vet around the corner just in case. We bring back a nice pressie/bottle when we come back. They get to stay in our place for free (all other issues are irrelevant about how much it might save them) and we get our kitties looked after and the property is occupied and kept clean. That's the deal. We have done this (bar covid) for the last 10 years and never had any issues. Same with your situation - end of. 
Assuming they left freezer full of cat food - they owe you nothing and you certainly don't owe them anything.

Smiler52

Absolutely not, they asked you to look after things, they should be paying you.  Tell them to do.one!

706fpp

If they requested you to house-sit and look after the cats then no payment is due. As others have said, they should be giving you a fee. Cattery costs are in the region of £10 to 13 per day per cat and also the house was secure from unwanted visitors (Burglars), if you want you could charge them. You saving transport costs to and from work will not come into the equation. Looks like your going to lose a friend /friends, as for work encounters, you don't need to speak to them at all, unless you work closely with either of them, which could mean a change of employment, but that bit is up to you. Good luck

MichaelTL

There are too many unknowns and I suspect that may be deliberate. Do we have all the facts? I think not. 

Sheryll

Absolutely No do not pay. It wasn't agreed beforehand so you have no obligation to pay. It was a mutually convenient agreement. You did them a favour and they did you one. That is the agreement they have someone look after their house and pets and you save on commute. Don't pay just say sorry but that's not what you agreed. Looks like they are skint after travelling and enjoying themselves for a few months and now back to reality need some cash. Its not fair to put it on you. Politely decline and just avoid them and they will realise they're not getting any money out of you. If anyone asks and you explain, they will be on your side!

Jocastacat

Unless they were very good friends, I'd have expected a contract detailing the expectations and obligations. Was there insurance company aware they had left the house? What would have happened to the cat if they'd had an accident and didn't come back? I would be saying it is too late to negotiate the terms AFTER the event. Suggest in future they employ a company that is a housesitting specialist... Tell them you're disappointed with their lack of gratefulness and you won't be offering your service again. 

jazzyb88

Surely a made up question to be this ridiculous.