Should Sitter Have Eaten Food From Our Freezer, Etc. Without Asking First?

During a meet & greet, ideally this would be discussed (in terms of what the sitter can use). She should not have helped herself to these items without either your expressed permission or asking you...and then not properly cleaning up after herself and putting things back appropriately was wrong.

You could choose to contact her and let her know that you were happy with the care she gave your pups, but in the interest of her future growth, you'd like to share what you felt she should have done better and discuss the details. Or you could let a little time pass so you're not as upset, and then write the review, acknowledging what was good and what could have been better.

Add'n.: I'm glad you indicated this was helpful. I agree that it shouldn't be necessary to tell someone to leave the house in the same condition and not help themselves to stuff. I tend to leave homes in better condition and definitely no alcoholic beverages consumed (because dogs can't drive and the dog may need something while in my care)

Hi Laura,

Deb made some great points which I agree with and I am sorry you are upset!

As a sitter, I personally do not eat/use anything unless the owner has specifically told me I can use or that I have asked to use. For example: I have a regular client who specifically told me I could use the pool if I wanted and she will leave notes when there are fruits and veggies I can help myself to. I also asked that on the off chance my husband is with me, if he can come in and sit with me while I let the dogs out and what not. I do not go through anyones things and I do not use anything I did not have specific permission to use (depending on the job - the bathroom is a given so I don't ask about that one).

I also am very big on cleaning up after myself because, to me, it is very unprofessional to leave a client's house messier than when I got there. I normally end up leaving it cleaner than when I got there. If I use a glass for water, I hand wash it, dry it and put it back. I like to leave client's houses looking like I was never there.

I definitely think you have every right to let her know what you liked and didn't like and what your expectations are - just as sitters should be clear about their expectations (they want to bake cookies, make dinner, etc.). So no, I do not think you are wrong. Hopefully that helps and best of luck!

That is just not acceptable behavior... I've been sitting 5+ years and even opening a client's fridge for the first time to put my own groceries that I bought away feels strangely wrong to me. I typically don't 'cook' when I'm house-sitting, I tend to just buy frozen pizza, TV dinners, etc that way I'm not using ALL the client's stuff and making a mess of the kitchen. I inform my client's that I provide my own groceries and aside from using things like salt and pepper or a dash of sugar for my coffee, I will definitely not be cleaning out their food supply! I also CLEAN the house before I leave. I wash all the dishes I used and put them back in their proper place, I clean off countertops, stovetops, I do a general clean of the bathroom, etc. I tell my client's, "Your house will either look exactly the same as when you left, with very little to no indication that I was even there, or it will look even BETTER than when you left." That said--I do not open anything that does not NEED to be opened and I don't go rifling through anything. Obviously, one has to get somewhat familiar with the kitchen and bathroom as they will be using those rooms, but I consider all other rooms to be off-limits and usually close all other doors to preserve the client's privacy. I would either talk to the sitter gently about this, or just not use her in the future. Like you said, the care of your animals is top priority but don't sacrifice your home in the process, the sitter is caring for your home AS WELL as your pets and the house should be treated with just as much care and respect. :)

Hi, I've been reading through these posts and I am honestly seeing a lot of blame put on younger generations. As I happen to be part of that younger generation, I just wanted to defend us some and specify that not all of us are like this. Yes, unfortunately, many young adults these days have less respect for other people's property than previously. But a lot of that has to do with how that person was raised and our parents/influencers are part of your generation as their parents/influencers were of the next and so forth. I'm just trying to say there are bad apples in every batch, that's why you often gotta dig to the bottom of the stash to find the good ones.

Aside from the small rant (I apologize-just had to get that out), I agree with many of the other replies here. As a sitter whose just now starting to get some clients, I can confirm that you sorta learn as you go. I personally don't have to be told step-by-step everything I am allowed to do or not do, again this might do with how I was raised as well. To me, if the sitter really likes what they are doing and wants to continue, they will take absolute care to make sure they make a good impression. From what you described it sounds like these other two bad sitters you've had weren't too serious about this job and probably couldn't care less if you hired them again or not, it was probably just some easy money to them. But if you are concerned about getting a bad sitter again, I would recommend taking the advice that these other sitters have given you but also just go with your gut feeling. I honestly am still learning what questions and such to ask at a meet and greet so I probably seem a little unprepared when I show up, but every meet and greet I've gone to I end up sitting for because I guess they can just see my love for animals and that I'm a real genuine person. Many of them end up asking me about my personal life as well like what I am going to school for and such which I believe helps them get to know me better as well. As a last resort option, you could always purchase a home security system to put up inside. That way you could check on them while you are away if you are overly concerned about your dog's safety or the state of your home.

Maybe I’m doing it wrong...though most of my clients say I should help myself. If they do not say I can help myself I absolutely do not eat nonperishable food unless a client specifically states it is ok. I do eat produce that will obviously spoil if not eaten before the client gets back—but this only really happens for longer stays . I always leave a note stating what went bad and was tossed or eaten before it spoiled. I assume things like salt, pepper, condiments, sugar and maybe a splash of milk for coffee (I usually bring my own) are ok to use as long as I don’t use the last of it. The only reason to go into the freezer is if you need ice cubes, or are storing your own personal items. I assume it is ok that I use clients kitchen items to cook my meals. If I were to eat out all of my meals while house sitting the money I make house sitting wouldn’t be worth it. I like to bake so if I do bake anything like a pie or cookies (I’ve done both while house sitting) I always leave some for the client and bring my own ingredients. I never ever leave dirty dishes. The kitchen should look like it wasn’t touched when the client gets back and trash taken out. It should look like I was never there.

Look at it this way: someone, a stranger, has just cared for your animals, house, and garden/lawn. Or some combination of those things. Chances are great that you didn't pay them, anything, for their time, or labor. Not that long ago, you'd have to have paid them quite handsomely, per night, for this work. Look up costs for a kennel, assuming you have pets, and then the cost for someone to care for your house and garden. Is that the cost of your espresso and a few cups of flour and choco chips? Are you truly upset that this stranger, who cared for your home, used a few dollars worth of food, and used your kitchen appliances? Come on. Even if you did pay them a per diem, plus overnight costs, is this truly an issue for you? That you are upset that you might have to wash a few dishes, taking --10 minutes of your time, when this person just cared for your home and everything in it, during your trip out of town seems pretty outrageous. Thank her, and next time tell your sitter to help themselves to anything, and not to fuss about clean up. Then thank them for their time.

I came looking for an answer on whether or not a sitter usually provides their own food. I met with my client yesterday and will be sitting for 3 nights starting tomorrow. While getting a tour and directions for the puppers, she mentioned I was welcome to anything in the pantry. I said thank you, but I planned on bringing my own food as not to cause an inconvenience. I thought this was normal, that a sitter would bring their own food, but after she mentioned it I was wondering if I was wrong as this is my first client. Im 19 and I would never dream of going to someone else's house and rummaging through their cupboards. Especially when they're not home. I don't even help myself at my sister's even though I know she doesn't care without asking first. I couldn't imagine doing it to a stranger. Maybe not everyone thinks like I do and it's not common sense, so maybe expectations should always be laid out better but good heavens I could not.

When I stay at clients I bring my own food and drinks. Most clients tell me make yourself at home. I usually bring my small grill to use outside then the owners say use ours. I have cooked before but the client knew it. I also clean the house, vacuum ,water, change sheets all before I leave and the clients are so grateful. If I do eat something I replace it, Since they game me permission.

I eat their food. They always say have what you want so anyone that well nobody’s ever said don’t have what you want this is a first. So it’s common place to allow the sitter to eat food if they are living at your house what else are they going to do if you are having them there housesitting? They have to eat don’t they? We get paid very low rates and we would have to leave the animals alone to go get food And can’t even afford it so yes eating is the perk that makes it up.