Brookfield, Victoria
ID: 1fp7Name: | Alexandra |
Nearest major city: | Melbourne |
Sitter required for: | 7 Dec 2019 25 Jan 202049 days |
Dates are flexible: | It could be a day or two forward or back |
Pet sitting required: | Yes |
Sitter's pets welcome: | Maybe |
Applications for this listing have closed. See similar listings
About this house sitting position in Brookfield
Hi we are looking for a House sitter
For our 3 beautiful Huskys and or 6 chickens
We are pretty easy going
But would expect the house to be maintained at a reasonable standard anything that is used to be put away
The house outside is very low maintenance
we just have a small grass section that would need to be cut
We also have a veggie patch that doesn’t need to be watered but you could pick the veggies to eat
Definitely no parties in the house
Reviews for Alexandra
“Dear Alexandra and Sergio,
Thank you for your honest feedback though we have to say we are quite shocked and disappointed by your review. In our 14 months of being house-sitters we have not had any negative feedback and we have certainly not been portrayed to have such poor character in a public review. We are sorry to hear you feel this way about us and we would appreciate you take into consideration the following response to your feedback.
The airflow to the house:
The weather we experienced whilst staying in your home was erratic, unpredictable and sometimes extreme. many days of 44-degree temperatures, red dust storms, constant smoke/smog in the air from the bushfires, sporadic rain and winds so strong that the planters on the outside table were moving. Without fly screens on the doors or windows, we chose to keep your house protected from the elements and only open the house up to air when conditions were favourable.
The garage, odours and rotting food:
We didn't realise that there were cupboards in the garage as they looked like paneling without handles, so we did not investigate. There are so many cupboards in the house and it is not part of our nature to go looking through cupboards unnecessarily. We didn't know about the pumpkins so we certainly didn't 'choose' to leave it as is. In our experience pumpkins need to be stored with plenty of air around them so they don't become damp and rot. A simple text message could have remedied this situation and we would have been happy to clean up a mess and spare you the job.
We did find a tray of onions in the butler's pantry that had started to rot so that was taken care of without any request. Upon further checks of your kitchen cupboards, we found them to be a bit messy with lots of open spices, flour/sugar bags etc. so we rolled them up and sealed a few with pegs to assist you.
Please note: We keep our belongings away from the hosts belongings as much as possible so that there is no confusion in ownership and so that we don't leave anything behind. We've done this quite a few times now and have come up with a system that works for well for us moving around. In addition, the thank you gift we leave for our hosts is a meal (and sometimes more) to come home to after traveling so that their transition into home life can be as easy as possible. We hope you and your children enjoy the DVD.
Care of the animals and no eggs left:
We understand that animals are very much family members and therefore take extra care looking after other people pets. It can be nerve racking from both sides of the arrangement. The dogs food bin remained in the spot that Sergio showed us during our briefing, we did not remove it from the back. We also thought it was possible you were recycling your packaging because of the collection of empty bags we saw rolled up in the shed, though Jon did put the overflow in the recycling bin. We were very aware of being present when the dogs were allowed out of their fenced area and either when we were inside or outside we could see them at all times. We are sorry we did not notice them chewing the hose.
On the third morning of our stay, Robbie was devastated to find one of the chickens was dead in its nest. It's a horrible experience to have this happen when you are looking after someone else's animals and it was very kind of you to be so understanding. Because of this we were very particular to look after them for the rest of our time because we certainly didn't want anything else to happen. Food and water was checked every morning and especially the day we departed so it's hard to believe there was no water. We were told the chickens were ‘off the lay’ before you departed.
We purchased eggs several times during our stay and were never given the impression that we were to collect and store your chooks eggs for your return.
Our visitors:
When we had a FaceTime call in February 2019 and we mentioned our son lived in Melbourne, you indicated that we could invite him for Christmas. He stayed with us one night and we washed the sheets before and after he stayed. With our children living in different states around the country, we rarely get to spend Christmas altogether so we jumped at the opportunity to have him stay the night and appreciate that it was possible. There was never any intention to impose or break your rules. Perhaps some more written instructions on your preferences will house-sitters in the future.
Damaged and dirty property:
Robbie used the spa bath once in the first few days. She noticed it moved slightly when getting in and assumed it was an existing fault so did not use it again.
The stove and mirrors were wiped over in the days leading up to departure so apologies if they were not to your standard.
The cinema room was used once on Christmas evening with our son. We enjoyed dip and biscuits in there because we were not told 'no eating in the cinema'. The floor and chairs were vacuumed and wiped down in our clean-up of the house, so again we apologise your standards weren't met and we missed something.
We used the washing machine to wash the sheets and towels from our bed before hanging them on the line to dry so that we didn't leave the dryer on whilst no one was home. We have always been taught to leave the door open for a few hours after use to allow the machines to dry out and cool down. It wasn't a sign of disrespect, rather a gesture of looking after your appliances in the way we know how.
We did not use the Deep Fryer or the Pizza Oven. We do not eat fried food nor do we have the skills or patience to use a Pizza Oven for two people.
Gardens and house plants:
The lawns were mowed on Thursday before you came home. A picture was sent to you with the result. During our time in your home, Robbie weeded the front garden along with the verge, outside the kitchen window and the veggie garden.
This was not asked of her but she chose to help with the upkeep of your garden.
We enjoyed when your orchids flowering in the kitchen and thought it was best to trim them once they began to wilt and to place them out of direct sunlight so that you could enjoy them the next time around.
We are honest, kind and reliable people and if you knew us personally you would agree. We believe your feedback, though a valid part of the Mindahome process, is unfair and very personal.
Perhaps you have written this too soon after your return and therefore it translates as more personal than constructive and fair. It is hard not to feel offended. Your home standards are completely valid but they need to be communicated effectively and thoroughly beforehand for them to be met.
We too have worked hard for what we have so we understand the concept of being 'house proud'.
We have raised 4 children whilst both working full time and actively assisting our community in many voluntary ways.
Mindahome is now our way of traveling in our early retirement in order to move around to visit our children, grandchildren and extended family.
Please consider this.
We cannot change the impression that we have made on you and the disappointment you have in your experience. We apologise it wasn't all you expected it to be.
This review you have written has a far greater impact on us than it does on you and we kindly ask that you reconsider your point of view and adjust it to reflect the responses we have given above.
all the best
Jonathan and Robbie” - Read more
Thank you for your honest feedback though we have to say we are quite shocked and disappointed by your review. In our 14 months of being house-sitters we have not had any negative feedback and we have certainly not been portrayed to have such poor character in a public review. We are sorry to hear you feel this way about us and we would appreciate you take into consideration the following response to your feedback.
The airflow to the house:
The weather we experienced whilst staying in your home was erratic, unpredictable and sometimes extreme. many days of 44-degree temperatures, red dust storms, constant smoke/smog in the air from the bushfires, sporadic rain and winds so strong that the planters on the outside table were moving. Without fly screens on the doors or windows, we chose to keep your house protected from the elements and only open the house up to air when conditions were favourable.
The garage, odours and rotting food:
We didn't realise that there were cupboards in the garage as they looked like paneling without handles, so we did not investigate. There are so many cupboards in the house and it is not part of our nature to go looking through cupboards unnecessarily. We didn't know about the pumpkins so we certainly didn't 'choose' to leave it as is. In our experience pumpkins need to be stored with plenty of air around them so they don't become damp and rot. A simple text message could have remedied this situation and we would have been happy to clean up a mess and spare you the job.
We did find a tray of onions in the butler's pantry that had started to rot so that was taken care of without any request. Upon further checks of your kitchen cupboards, we found them to be a bit messy with lots of open spices, flour/sugar bags etc. so we rolled them up and sealed a few with pegs to assist you.
Please note: We keep our belongings away from the hosts belongings as much as possible so that there is no confusion in ownership and so that we don't leave anything behind. We've done this quite a few times now and have come up with a system that works for well for us moving around. In addition, the thank you gift we leave for our hosts is a meal (and sometimes more) to come home to after traveling so that their transition into home life can be as easy as possible. We hope you and your children enjoy the DVD.
Care of the animals and no eggs left:
We understand that animals are very much family members and therefore take extra care looking after other people pets. It can be nerve racking from both sides of the arrangement. The dogs food bin remained in the spot that Sergio showed us during our briefing, we did not remove it from the back. We also thought it was possible you were recycling your packaging because of the collection of empty bags we saw rolled up in the shed, though Jon did put the overflow in the recycling bin. We were very aware of being present when the dogs were allowed out of their fenced area and either when we were inside or outside we could see them at all times. We are sorry we did not notice them chewing the hose.
On the third morning of our stay, Robbie was devastated to find one of the chickens was dead in its nest. It's a horrible experience to have this happen when you are looking after someone else's animals and it was very kind of you to be so understanding. Because of this we were very particular to look after them for the rest of our time because we certainly didn't want anything else to happen. Food and water was checked every morning and especially the day we departed so it's hard to believe there was no water. We were told the chickens were ‘off the lay’ before you departed.
We purchased eggs several times during our stay and were never given the impression that we were to collect and store your chooks eggs for your return.
Our visitors:
When we had a FaceTime call in February 2019 and we mentioned our son lived in Melbourne, you indicated that we could invite him for Christmas. He stayed with us one night and we washed the sheets before and after he stayed. With our children living in different states around the country, we rarely get to spend Christmas altogether so we jumped at the opportunity to have him stay the night and appreciate that it was possible. There was never any intention to impose or break your rules. Perhaps some more written instructions on your preferences will house-sitters in the future.
Damaged and dirty property:
Robbie used the spa bath once in the first few days. She noticed it moved slightly when getting in and assumed it was an existing fault so did not use it again.
The stove and mirrors were wiped over in the days leading up to departure so apologies if they were not to your standard.
The cinema room was used once on Christmas evening with our son. We enjoyed dip and biscuits in there because we were not told 'no eating in the cinema'. The floor and chairs were vacuumed and wiped down in our clean-up of the house, so again we apologise your standards weren't met and we missed something.
We used the washing machine to wash the sheets and towels from our bed before hanging them on the line to dry so that we didn't leave the dryer on whilst no one was home. We have always been taught to leave the door open for a few hours after use to allow the machines to dry out and cool down. It wasn't a sign of disrespect, rather a gesture of looking after your appliances in the way we know how.
We did not use the Deep Fryer or the Pizza Oven. We do not eat fried food nor do we have the skills or patience to use a Pizza Oven for two people.
Gardens and house plants:
The lawns were mowed on Thursday before you came home. A picture was sent to you with the result. During our time in your home, Robbie weeded the front garden along with the verge, outside the kitchen window and the veggie garden.
This was not asked of her but she chose to help with the upkeep of your garden.
We enjoyed when your orchids flowering in the kitchen and thought it was best to trim them once they began to wilt and to place them out of direct sunlight so that you could enjoy them the next time around.
We are honest, kind and reliable people and if you knew us personally you would agree. We believe your feedback, though a valid part of the Mindahome process, is unfair and very personal.
Perhaps you have written this too soon after your return and therefore it translates as more personal than constructive and fair. It is hard not to feel offended. Your home standards are completely valid but they need to be communicated effectively and thoroughly beforehand for them to be met.
We too have worked hard for what we have so we understand the concept of being 'house proud'.
We have raised 4 children whilst both working full time and actively assisting our community in many voluntary ways.
Mindahome is now our way of traveling in our early retirement in order to move around to visit our children, grandchildren and extended family.
Please consider this.
We cannot change the impression that we have made on you and the disappointment you have in your experience. We apologise it wasn't all you expected it to be.
This review you have written has a far greater impact on us than it does on you and we kindly ask that you reconsider your point of view and adjust it to reflect the responses we have given above.
all the best
Jonathan and Robbie” - Read more
Jonathan - jonathan+robbie - 24 Feb 2020
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