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

(157 Posts)
Feelingmyage55 Thu 02-Nov-17 19:30:43

Casual friends, are moving house and need accommodation until they get an entry date. This might be in six weeks, so they would be in their own home by Christmas. But we all know the pitfall of entry dates ................ AIBU to worry that they will need to stay for longer? I have plenty of space but honestly just cannot be bothered being super tidy and organised for that length of time. What do I do about housekeeping? I am not financially stretched at all but .. am I worrying about nothing ? The parents both work full time and the children are at school all day and after school club until 5 pm. DH is working abroad so I feel like a sitting duck. Usually I just say okay but ... Help?

Marmight Sat 04-Nov-17 06:53:07

Phew! Just read through all the posts muttering no, no, no don't do it, to myself . What a relief to get to the end and find a decision has been made grin

Maggiemaybe Fri 03-Nov-17 23:12:45

Well done!

Caro1954 Fri 03-Nov-17 22:59:52

Good for you Feelingmyage55! Here's to six weeks of happy untidiness!

Feelingmyage55 Fri 03-Nov-17 22:14:56

Quiet night in with DH if he is still home and we can squabble amicably over the remote and have a glass or two of something special!

Feelingmyage55 Fri 03-Nov-17 22:11:32

Said my no. Thank you all. Actually I am untidy,just couldn't be tidy for six weeks!

lemongrove Fri 03-Nov-17 22:02:44

No, and am guessing it won’t bother you either.smile

Feelingmyage55 Fri 03-Nov-17 21:58:11

Yep, I think maybe just the way the younger generation speak. But as I say friends of very good friends indeed and goodness knows, confidence or cheek or naiveness thinking that the relationship is closer than it is! I have said no now, having accepted all the advice here. Very obvious disappointment from the parents and much huffing and puffing about having to pay for somewhere so the right decision. I suggested they push the agent for an entry date. Bettter be pushy with the professionals than me. There are lots of seaside chalets lying empty in our town so.... I am sure they will not be homeless, in fact I expect an out of season seaside chalet will be less than a mortgage! Do you think I will be asked to the house warming???????

Laine21 Fri 03-Nov-17 21:52:17

No!

Use husband, as he is working away he can't contradict you. Just say you have spoken to him and he is bringing colleagues back with him / arranged for colleagues to stay while they are in the uk, so you are very sorry, but no there won't be space.

Imagine how you would feel if their house purchase is delayed and you are stuck with them all over Christmas and into the new year. Where would your own family fit in if hey ended up staying longer?

I'm precious about my space and the time I spend with my family and as for having 'casual' friends stay.......that would fill me with horror. I spent on many years giving in and accepting people take advantage of me, so I learned to say NO! And it feels good ?

ellenemery Fri 03-Nov-17 21:19:26

Definitely a no from me too.

We put in an offer for a bungalow 8 weeks ago and there are no chains etc. The solicitor was off sick then the searches were delayed. They require originals of everything and will not except printed from the computer so everything is taking time. It is only 7 weeks to C and we all know how much extra work that involves. What if there are delays and they need to stay over C and the New Year.

You have no idea how tidy they are or how it will disrupt your own holiday plans. Hope you get what you want.

Jalima1108 Fri 03-Nov-17 20:43:54

now wondering if other people clean the bath fully clothed or ....
Yes, in a pair of bleach-stained old jogging bottoms and an equally disreputable old t-shirt.

I know someone who puts on a swimsuit to clean the shower.

Luckygirl Fri 03-Nov-17 20:40:48

It does sound a real cheek TBH. I would hesitate to ask a close friend this sort of favour, especially as house purchases so commonly fall through. I would feel that I had to take full responsibility for myself in this situation (e.g. renting somewhere) rather than expecting someone else to help.

FarNorth Fri 03-Nov-17 20:25:17

You could assume that as they didn't actually ask, the whole thing was meant as a joke.

Do nothing at all and, if they get back to you about it, tell them you thought they were joking and that you can't have them at that time anyway. (No need to give them a reason why, you just can't.)

Direne3 Fri 03-Nov-17 20:14:30

Seems to me that you are being emotionally bullied - or maybe take your pick of the following:-
Synonyms: cadge, beg, sponge [informal] , bum [informal] More Synonyms of scrounge
scrounger 
Word forms: plural scroungers
countable noun [usually plural]
They are just scroungers.
Synonyms: parasite, freeloader [slang] , sponger [informal] , bum [informal].

I agree wholeheartedly with other posters but if you are feeling intimidated just write an email saying "sorry but our answer has to be no" and then let THEM deal with THEIR problem. flowers

FarNorth Fri 03-Nov-17 18:51:12

They didn't ask - announced they would be staying because on tight budget, upsizing massively and said I could babysit while they deal with the move. I mentioned budget and they don't have a budget for the gap.

These people are complete chancers. How can you even consider letting them stay with you if they haven't had the decency to ask?
Take the advice of every single poster on this thread and Say No.

cc Fri 03-Nov-17 18:09:07

I must admit that I wouldn't welcome casual friends into our house for an open-ended stay, especially if they have children, they'd just take over and your life wouldn't be your own. Different if they were close family or even good friends - and most children and grandchildren are a nightmare if they're not your own! Don't do it, for your own sanity.

Daisyboots Fri 03-Nov-17 18:03:57

And it is a No from me too. What a cheek especially as they are only casual friends. My DS, DIL, baby and child came for a two week holiday to us and by the end of the two weeks we felt as though squatters had moved in and couldn't wait for them to leave. It's not a nice feeling and I am sure you would feel the same. If they can just assume they can stay with you they will most certainly ride roughshod over you if you agree. I do hope you will now just say no to them. After my DS's visit we decided we would never have visitors for longer than a week again.

CardiffJaguar Fri 03-Nov-17 17:54:26

I suspect they are looking to avoid the expense of renting temporarily and they see you as an obvious target. Such people will not do you any favours. I am in that category which suggests you should say NO. Whatever excuse you use stick to it and do not be swayed. In fact that should not be an excuse but a simple reason which you do not need to disclose.

Caro1954 Fri 03-Nov-17 17:46:03

Maggiemaybe is absolutely right! They've taken the liberty of inviting themselves, they don't seem to intend to pay for their stay, what else will the do!!! Say no, as politely as you can, giving no reason other than it wouldn't work.

Bridgeit Fri 03-Nov-17 17:08:34

Please put us all out of our misery Have You Told Them NO Yet ?

starlily106 Fri 03-Nov-17 17:07:58

I would say no, especially as you only know them casually.

loopyloo Fri 03-Nov-17 16:55:51

When do they say they are going to move in? The sooner you tell them it's not on the better.

loopyloo Fri 03-Nov-17 16:54:46

Or if necessary ....No,no,no.

Coconut Fri 03-Nov-17 16:38:27

Personally I would just say that you value the friendship too much to say yes ! It would be a minefield and just before Xmas when most of us want things just so .....

Maggiemaybe Fri 03-Nov-17 16:37:27

Well, to be honest as I read from the start of the thread I was going to say what a load of angst about nothing - so many posters huffing and puffing and saying how cheeky they were, when all they'd done was ask the question and all you really had to do was say no.

But hang on! They stated their intention of staying with you? shock What on earth is that all about? Are you some sort of charitable institution? If the answer is no, just tell them in no uncertain terms where they can go, and waste no time about it. I can't even imagine how many liberties these people will take if you let them over your threshold!

Diddy1 Fri 03-Nov-17 15:02:20

Definately NO, very cheeky to even ask, imagine the house would not be yours,and the fights over the remote, just with the children, it isnt worth thinking about.