Thank-you gift for complicated cat-sitting arrangement
June 19, 2010 1:55 PM Subscribe
Complicated cat-sitting situation: What's an appropriate way to say thank you to my cat-sitter, who is also my landlady?
I am currently renting someone's summer home. I will be away for two months, and I will be leaving my cat and my personal belongings here while I'm gone. My landlady, a lovely person who I know professionally, will be visiting for 3-4 days every weekend to visit my cat and to enjoy her summer home; she has also offered to arrange with neighbors in the area to check up on the cat in mid-week (since she knows the neighbors better than I do). I will be paying a bit more than half my usual rent for the period that I'm away.
Under those circumstances, what's a good way to say thank you to my landlady for this? Is a nice bottle of wine enough? Should I offer more money on top of the half-rent? I'm primarily trying to figure out what the "scale" of the gift/compensation should be, rather than looking for specific gift ideas.
I am currently renting someone's summer home. I will be away for two months, and I will be leaving my cat and my personal belongings here while I'm gone. My landlady, a lovely person who I know professionally, will be visiting for 3-4 days every weekend to visit my cat and to enjoy her summer home; she has also offered to arrange with neighbors in the area to check up on the cat in mid-week (since she knows the neighbors better than I do). I will be paying a bit more than half my usual rent for the period that I'm away.
Under those circumstances, what's a good way to say thank you to my landlady for this? Is a nice bottle of wine enough? Should I offer more money on top of the half-rent? I'm primarily trying to figure out what the "scale" of the gift/compensation should be, rather than looking for specific gift ideas.
If you're paying more than half your rent while you're away, then she's not really doing you a favor that would require a gift in return (i.e. she's already being handsomely compensated for her time). I think a nice hand-written Thank You note or card would suffice.
posted by amyms at 2:25 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by amyms at 2:25 PM on June 19, 2010
I disagree with amyms. If you are still maintaining tenancy over the house while you are away, with your possessions still in the house, it's awfully nice of her to let you reduce your monthly rent payment while you are away - based on how I'm reading your post. I'm currently a tenant, and have never owned property. Although, you are forgoing the option of subletting your place, which would likely be a bit of a hassle.
In terms of how to thank her, I haven't a clue. I've house/cat sat before and basically accepted whatever token of appreciation the owners provided. Once when I was a teenager and still living with my parents, the owners took me out for a inexpensive meal. Another time a boss went away for a couple of weeks and paid me $400. By that time, I had my own apartment and decided that I'd rather not be away from my home again unless the surroundings were a big improvement on my own.
Although they did stock the house with lots of food and that was very much appreciated, so that could be an idea - fill the house with lots of supplies that she would use and enjoy. Also reduce the clutter in your house as much as possible. The last house I looked after had tchotchkes all over the place and sofas filled with cushions so you could hardly put a glass down or comfortably sit.
posted by waterandrock at 3:00 PM on June 19, 2010
In terms of how to thank her, I haven't a clue. I've house/cat sat before and basically accepted whatever token of appreciation the owners provided. Once when I was a teenager and still living with my parents, the owners took me out for a inexpensive meal. Another time a boss went away for a couple of weeks and paid me $400. By that time, I had my own apartment and decided that I'd rather not be away from my home again unless the surroundings were a big improvement on my own.
Although they did stock the house with lots of food and that was very much appreciated, so that could be an idea - fill the house with lots of supplies that she would use and enjoy. Also reduce the clutter in your house as much as possible. The last house I looked after had tchotchkes all over the place and sofas filled with cushions so you could hardly put a glass down or comfortably sit.
posted by waterandrock at 3:00 PM on June 19, 2010
...on second thought she does own the house, so maybe just make sure she has some basic supplies when she first arrives and one or two nice things.
posted by waterandrock at 3:06 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by waterandrock at 3:06 PM on June 19, 2010
I usually try to get a gift of some kind related to my vacation for my petsitters. F'rexample, for the petsitting mother of a toddler, I got some stuffed toys with the logo of the (placename where I was on vacation). For someone with a shell collection, I got a shell from the (placename). If they're staying in my home, I ask what kinds of foods, shampoos, etc I should pick up in a grocery run on the day before I leave.
I also disagree with amyms. Even when you're paying for petsitting, I do think it's entirely appropriate to get some kind of gift. Pets take more work and thought than something inanimate, and there's always the possibility that they will get sick, or need extra care, or otherwise be more complicated and take more time than one bargained for. Someone who takes on petsitting is potentially taking on anything that may happen to the pet, in sickness or in health, during that time. When they're willing to do that for me, I am extra grateful.
posted by galadriel at 3:18 PM on June 19, 2010
I also disagree with amyms. Even when you're paying for petsitting, I do think it's entirely appropriate to get some kind of gift. Pets take more work and thought than something inanimate, and there's always the possibility that they will get sick, or need extra care, or otherwise be more complicated and take more time than one bargained for. Someone who takes on petsitting is potentially taking on anything that may happen to the pet, in sickness or in health, during that time. When they're willing to do that for me, I am extra grateful.
posted by galadriel at 3:18 PM on June 19, 2010
Does she need to deal with the cat's litter box? If so, I'd give her about $100 extra. If not, then maybe just letting your house be used as a party pad should be enough?
posted by krisak at 4:12 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by krisak at 4:12 PM on June 19, 2010
Halving your rent + pet sitting for two months = something way, way more than a bottle of wine.
posted by 6550 at 5:50 PM on June 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by 6550 at 5:50 PM on June 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Pamelayne at 2:12 PM on June 19, 2010