Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Houseguest who won't leave

293 replies

MadzG1471 · 22/06/2024 15:41

I am getting quite annoyed with a houseguest who just won't leave. This is a friend from America, who was planning to be in the UK for a few weeks this summer. I offered him a room at my partner's and my home. We initially spoke – in admittedly quite vague terms – about him staying for two weeks at the beginning of June, after which he was going off on European trips with his girlfriend. It sounded very much like I was going to see a fair bit of them but they wouldn't be here all the time.
However, while he was staying with us, his girlfriend broke up with him and their summer plans fell through. It's now been over three weeks. Although he doesn't expect to be fed and watered, and is self-sufficient, he often mooches around the house and has shown no sign of leaving. He has started doing his laundry in the washing machine. Today I asked when he was planning to go and he said that he felt guilty for imposing on us but mentioned that his summer plans were up in the air because of the break-up and didn't offer a specific date. I feel too awkward to ask him again. He is a writer whose work can be done anywhere, so I worry that this is turning into an open-ended thing and we now have not a guest but a lodger we didn't ask for.
I am trying to be as nice as I can and feel guilty turfing out a friend who is very unhappy about this break-up. He is obviously heartbroken and depressed. But I am getting increasingly vexed with his presence and that he hasn't offered to help in other ways, e.g. with chores, buying groceries etc. He didn't bring a thank-you gift which I was surprised by. There was also a couple of days where he asked if a friend could stay over, who we put in the guest-room. Again, I feel like I didn't sign up for this! There is talk of further visitors in the middle of next month (!) It's all so hideously awkward.
AIBU, and how on earth do I get him to leave without being mean? (And also creating bad blood with a friend who I do like, in spite of my increasing passive-aggression towards him.)

OP posts:
PuggyPuggyPuggy · 22/06/2024 17:41

There is talk of further visitors in the middle of next month

You mean, he is talking about inviting multiple extra people into your house, and they are going to rock up 4 weeks after the date he should have left? How did you manage NOT to blurt out "what the fuck, Dave, you're supposed to have been here for 2 weeks in June, not move in permanently, you must be joking!"?

AppleStruddle123 · 22/06/2024 17:39

He might go off and stay elsewhere for a night or two while your guests come to stay and then try and return!!

But still it's a good one. I'd say I've just checked my calendar and realised that on Wednesday we've got my parents coming to stay, (or my cousins or inlaws or whatever) and they'll be staying for a week so you'll need to be gone by Wednesday.

If he's a writer he's a bohemian fly by night by the sounds of things and thinks nothing of bumming around at other people's expense. Awful.

VJBR · 22/06/2024 17:37

Can’t you arrange for some family to come and stay so he needs to vacate the room. It’s a bit of a cheek. Like having a lodger who isn’t paying rent.

MrsPositivity1 · 22/06/2024 17:37

You need to give him a firm date to leave or that leaves it too open

maudelovesharold · 22/06/2024 17:34

Can’t you just tell him that you hadn’t anticipated him staying any longer than a month, and although you’ve loved having him, you and your partner are going to be needing the spare rooms over the summer from (insert date of your choice) to host various other friends and relatives? Invite people (who you know will leave) and make it happen, if you don’t want to lie.

RosaMoline · 22/06/2024 17:33

I voted YABU because you are unreasonable for putting up with this!

CaliMZ · 22/06/2024 17:30

I would just say, we agreed you could say until this date. It is not longer convenient for you to stay as we are beyond that date. You will need to leave by X date.

Meetingofminds · 22/06/2024 17:30

‘ I have loved seeing you dear xx, but we can’t accommodate beyond Monday, but it’s been lovely to have you for an extended stay. Do you need a hand planning your next Euro leg’

Thursdaygirl · 22/06/2024 17:29

Definitely needs nipping in the bud, OP

Needanewname42 · 22/06/2024 17:29

I think you need to be somewhere near honest.
I'd say - you mentioned having friends over - sorry we are not keen to have extra people here.

Surely he must realise it'd not nice to out stay your welcome

extrasushiplease · 22/06/2024 17:25

Wile he absolutely should have had the grace to leave already (not to mention bring a host gift/help out), he doesn't, and while it's completely unfair, the ball is now in your court to tell him he needs to be out by _. The only reason he hasn't moved on is because you haven't asked him and it's probably a nice situation for him in a rough time. You've already gone above and beyond as friends, so be kind but firm and let him know that his expiry date is well past.

Meetingofminds · 22/06/2024 17:24

He is taking full advantage of your generosity! Tell him after the weekend his stay will come to an end.

Shinyandnew1 · 22/06/2024 17:24

There is talk of further visitors in the middle of next month

That’s just bloody cheeky! You’ve got to say something.

It’s very sad his relationship has broken down but he either needs to go and tour Europe as planned, or go home! You’re not running a doss house for people wanting to stay for free.

TheFunSponge · 22/06/2024 17:24

You're more polite than I would be! I would tell him that he is welcome for another 3-4 days at most and to find suitable accommodation elsewhere. I'd also say that as your home is also that of your partner, it is unfair of him to invite guests to your home. He's taking the pee..

Gillypie23 · 22/06/2024 17:17

Be honest but kind when you tell him. Say no to any guests. Give him a date to be gone by.

Caroparo52 · 22/06/2024 17:16

I know that your summer plans have changed since we originally spoke about this trip and you staying 2 weeks. Its now 3 and we definitely think it's time for you to move out.. by this weekend. Sorry about the girlfriend etc

Steakandwine · 22/06/2024 17:16

He's taking the piss inviting friends over. You definitely have to tell him he needs to move out. I know you feel uneasy but it will only get worse. Remember it's your home after all!

Putyoursunscreenon · 22/06/2024 17:14

He asked you if a friend could stay over and you said yes Confused?

You can be too polite and agreeable you know! Just say "no - and piss off while you're at it" 😂).

fungipie · 22/06/2024 17:12

Just wow- have you been feeding him too? Has he contributed in coking meals, invited you to nice restaurants, etc.

But enough- you have to be honest and frank. Or if you can't lie. Ask your mother, father, sister and family, friends, to come over.

AquaFurball · 22/06/2024 17:10

Despair1 · 22/06/2024 17:02

Hi OP, I fully appreciate the awkwardness of this situation but if it isn't addressed, it will likely mean growing resentment and a spur of the moment row.
Arrange for a time to take a deep breath and say you need to agree a date for him to move on. Don't make a big thing of it, I know that is easier said than done.
Also, on a separate note, has he made any contribution at all? ie towards utility bills?

Hopefully he hasn't paid ANYTHING, he could use that as proof he paid "rent" and is therefore now a tenant.

AquaFurball · 22/06/2024 17:08

MadzG1471 · 22/06/2024 15:41

I am getting quite annoyed with a houseguest who just won't leave. This is a friend from America, who was planning to be in the UK for a few weeks this summer. I offered him a room at my partner's and my home. We initially spoke – in admittedly quite vague terms – about him staying for two weeks at the beginning of June, after which he was going off on European trips with his girlfriend. It sounded very much like I was going to see a fair bit of them but they wouldn't be here all the time.
However, while he was staying with us, his girlfriend broke up with him and their summer plans fell through. It's now been over three weeks. Although he doesn't expect to be fed and watered, and is self-sufficient, he often mooches around the house and has shown no sign of leaving. He has started doing his laundry in the washing machine. Today I asked when he was planning to go and he said that he felt guilty for imposing on us but mentioned that his summer plans were up in the air because of the break-up and didn't offer a specific date. I feel too awkward to ask him again. He is a writer whose work can be done anywhere, so I worry that this is turning into an open-ended thing and we now have not a guest but a lodger we didn't ask for.
I am trying to be as nice as I can and feel guilty turfing out a friend who is very unhappy about this break-up. He is obviously heartbroken and depressed. But I am getting increasingly vexed with his presence and that he hasn't offered to help in other ways, e.g. with chores, buying groceries etc. He didn't bring a thank-you gift which I was surprised by. There was also a couple of days where he asked if a friend could stay over, who we put in the guest-room. Again, I feel like I didn't sign up for this! There is talk of further visitors in the middle of next month (!) It's all so hideously awkward.
AIBU, and how on earth do I get him to leave without being mean? (And also creating bad blood with a friend who I do like, in spite of my increasing passive-aggression towards him.)

Does he come from a state where a guest becomes a tenant after 7/24/29 days?

Serve him his eviction notice now.

You were massively generously allowing him to have a friend stay, but why on earth would you entertain other friends coming to stay? Clearly something he has arranged while staying with you as he wasn't meant to still be there. He's treating your home like his own and if you don't kick him out now, this could get very messy and it won't be a friendship you will be concerned about losing.

PBandJ111 · 22/06/2024 17:08

Why didn’t you just say you had more guests coming?

GreenClock · 22/06/2024 17:05

If you’re conflict avoidant there’s no harm in lying about an old uni mate who’s unexpectedly between houses as of next Friday and needs the bedroom (plus the spare room for storage!) for the foreseeable. Don’t get me wrong, I believe usually that it is better to be upfront and honest, but say what you need to say in order to get him out of there. He has not treated you with courtesy so don’t worry about it.

Despair1 · 22/06/2024 17:02

Hi OP, I fully appreciate the awkwardness of this situation but if it isn't addressed, it will likely mean growing resentment and a spur of the moment row.
Arrange for a time to take a deep breath and say you need to agree a date for him to move on. Don't make a big thing of it, I know that is easier said than done.
Also, on a separate note, has he made any contribution at all? ie towards utility bills?

Boltonb · 22/06/2024 17:01

And don’t make up fake excuses like people coming up stay etc because all excuses do is give him an opening for suggestions to overcome your obstacles.

If you’re telling him what YOU NEED, there’s nothing for him to say. You’re the only person who has a say on what that is

Swipe left for the next trending thread