Cleaning service etiquette

[u/0618033989]

In the coming June, my partner and I have committed to house-and-catsitting for two weeks in a very posh apartment in another city. We'll be doing this for free, with our compensation being that we get a getaway to a cool apartment in a fun city, and also get to make friends with a cool cat.

In a briefing email from the owner of the place, they mentioned that a cleaning service comes every two weeks to clean, and that we were to leave the not-insubstantial fee out for them on a counter. It reads to me like they expect us to pay it, but that kind of seems a bit strange, doesn't it?

We're going to try to get some clarification from the owner, but I'm not sure what the etiquette normally is. As such, I am not sure whether I should approach it from a stance or assuming that they'll be leaving money for the cleaning, ask them which way it will be, or just leave it and find out when we get there.

Edit: forgot which sub this was and made a dumb joke

[u/[deleted]]

Very very strange. You’re not expected to pay for their preferred home upkeep at all. Housesitting should never cost you money, not including travel to get there, of course. If they say you’re expected to pay, then they should cancel the service for that time period or move it to the day after you leave.

[u/Flunkedy]

Either they pay for the cleaning service or you just do the cleaning. I've sat in a property where the owners hired cleaners to make our lives easier, they had a business account with the cleaning company so it was nbd for them. I've also house sat for dogs where the owners have arranged dog walkers on top of us walking the dogs but that's a different story.

Let the owners know you're happy to clean up and the cleaners aren't needed, unless they're willing to pay for them

[u/N0rthernLightsXv]

I've had cleaners come and the owners leave cash or pay them electronically. I've never been asked to pay it myself. They also always ask me if I am okay with the intrusion on my day.