Friends want to stay for two months - while moving house - help?

You don't say if they asked (which is implied) or if you offered, or how the subject came up in the first place. You don't say if they are moving far and if you are nearer where they are moving from or moving to.

However, it is definitely up to you to decide. The holiday flat idea sounds a good compromise.

I think as you have doubts you should say no. Better to lose the friends without the need for lengthy, possibly expensive upsets first. House moves between exchange of contracts and completion date are normally 4 weeks, often quicker, they can get holiday home cheaply this time of year.

If anything went wrong with the transaction you could be stuck with other people and their moving traumas for ages, my former estate agent told me one of her clients died on completion day, anything could go wrong.

Our house move went horribly wrong. We should have had four weeks effectively homeless and it turned into seven. We stayed with various family and friends. As there are children involved, I would be very wary.

Please think very carefully about this and try and visualise the day to day effects on you. I did this for my brother, wife and two very young children. What was supposed to be three weeks turned into three months and then I had to ask them to move in with her mother due to no financial assistance (I was a single mother with three youngish children), the smoking, the no cooking, cleaning etc. She was so lazy and the oldest did not go to school for a whole term! Calls to mobiles using my landline, cat hair everywhere causing my youngest's asthma to deteriorate, smoking in the house.......................awful experience.

As they are casual friends I wouldn't even consider it. We all know how often there are complications with house moves, a friend has had a relative staying with her for months now as a couple of house purchases have fallen through at the last minute. Little things will soon start to irritate you - just let them make their own arrangements,

Unfortunately in these sort of situations time scale is unpredictable. A couple of years ago my son, dil ad3 teenage girls moved in with us whilst having an extension built, supposedly for 6 weeks, ended up staying 7 months. Tearing my hair out towards the end - fortunately no arguments, but there could quite easily have been - think very carefully before you go ahead.

How well do you know them

Have they asked you?

OMG - poor you. I'd hate to be asked to do that and I don't think I would, not unless it was family or very very good friends. Actually, it's a bit cheeky of them to even ask you, isn't it? Your problem is how to say no? There's no easy way, and I wouldn't make an excuse, I'd just say 'sorry, it's really not on' and leave it at that. Good luck!

Having been a B and B owner with other people in the house most of the time. I would say no. It's stifling. You feel you have to think about the way you live the whole time. Eg noise, being naked etc. that's without their behavior. In your eyes they could be anti social. No manners. Demanding.

One of my mum's favourite expressions was "if in doubt - DON'T"

The fact you have posted on here asking for advice shows that you are doubtful.

I would agree with everyone who is saying no, don't do it. "Casual" friends AND their children? Gosh no.

The cons far outweigh the pros (I can't even think of a pro, given they are not close friends or family)

If you do let them move in agree a set date to move out. SIL moved in with us for 3 weeks whilst looking for somewhere to live - and ended up staying for 7 months! She still hasn't found anywhere she likes 7 years later and is living with MIL!

It is often possible to do deals with properties on AirB&B (or other holiday rental sites) over the winter for a couple of months. In places where demand drops in the winter owners will usually be glad to negotiate a letting at a reduced rate.
Don't be pressured into agreeing to something you don't want. If you do want to do it, agree a sensible rate of rental for all the facilities they will enjoy - and agree it UP FRONT!!!
Overall I'm with the "don't do it" mob. It's trying it on for casual acquaintances to even suggest it without mentioning money IMHO

As the saying goes.... When in doubt do nowt. I think you will regret it if you say yes. And what would you do if it wasn’t working after the first week, you would be in an awful position. Best to say I really don’t think it’s what I want to do and offer them a few numbers of maybe estate agents in the area for short term rent. If you’ve heard of Nextdoor formerly Streetlife in my area people request for short term let whilst there homes are being renovated this maybe another option. Keep us posted and good luck.

I think they have a darned cheek to even ask this of you! Your home is your sanctuary and there request is way beyond what could ever be exoected of casual friends! When we moved last year, we had a few days before we could move into our new bungalow, whilst carpets were being laid, furniture installed etc and i know anyone of my family or friends would have accommodated us but it did not even cross my mind to ask! We hired a lodge in a beautiful country park nearby, ok yes it was only a few days but that made no difference. Just tell them you cannot imagine living with them in your home and leave it at that! If they take offence, its no great loss as a true friend would not put you in that position in the first place.

My daughter recently agreed to house a neighbour and her ten year old daughter for two months. She now feels pushed out and never comfortable at home.
She will be very relieved when the two months is up!

Oooops! "Their" request, not " there" request! One of my pet hates, a cardinal sin!

"Casual" friends? How on earth did they ask you, a casual friend, such a massive, massive favour? My reflex response would me 'Absolutely not!'.

You say "Usually I just say okay but ... Help?" Is them asking you for favours a usual thing, then? And have those favours been increasing in size?

Excellent advice has been given here. Just say no!!

From my experience - years ago we had close friends staying for a month, similar situation, then at the llth hour their sale broke down and they had to start again finding a new house. I am a pretty easy going person but everyone's nerves were frayed by the time they left. Hardly see them now. I would say tell them you haven't been feeling well lately and you are not sure it would work. They will probably appreciate your honesty now.

I'm afraid I would have to say no but in the nicest possible way. I like my own space. To ease the blow I would be suggesting alternatives such as short term renting etc. It would be interesting to see if they are willing to explore paying for accommodation.

I wouldn't do it! I used to do foreign students but one weeks was enough. Two weeks and neither party seemed particular happy.

When i said that I had friends staying for a couple of months after they returned from an overseas posting, I should have mentioned that I was in my twenties then.

I'm not so sure that I would do the same now I'm a few years older.

If I am reading this right this is a couple with two children and you are on your own. I would definitely say no. You could end up feeling out of place in your own home as with so many people it would feel they were taking over.

As others have said they could try Airbnb or look for holiday or short term lets (their estate agent may be able to help them).

It would be my worst nightmare. I have a friend who moved to another country ten years ago. She assumed that she could stay with us every time she visited home. My husband found it uncomfortable having her here. He felt he couldn't come downstairs in his dressing gown. He likes to sit up late and watch tv, while I go to bed early. The friend would sit up late with him, and expect to drink lots of alcohol.

I feel these people have put you in an awkward situation, but you need to have the courage to say you like being on your own and it wouldn't suit.