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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To let out spare bedroom to DH's friend or not?

107 replies

LilExhausted · 06/01/2025 17:22

One of my DH's friend has moved to our city and looking for a short term rental for 4-5 months. We have a 4 bed house and 2 young DC- a toddler and a newborn. I am on mat leave which is generous. We are not in any need of extra cash but I feel tempted to suggest to DH to let out to his friend.
But, I am concerned that his friend may think it's not good that we are asking him to pay for rent for the room, I am not sure, just guessing. Also, I don't know how the grocery costs etc will work. We are in midlands and around my area, spare rooms are around 550-600.
My husband has known him for over 10 years, but I have only known him couple of months. My DS gets on well with him. I also feel uncomfortable breastfeeding around other people than just my family and I am also worried that I might feel like I can't move freely in my own house if he is sitting in lounge watching TV etc with my husband or toddler.
Can anyone please suggest if it's even worth letting out for getting extra £600 and some help with childcare as having an extra adult around the house helps but at the same time I will be stuck in a bedroom feeding baby as I definitely won't feel comfortable breastfeeding around him and won't be able to spend more time in evenings with my toddler.

OP posts:
curtaintwitcher78 · 06/01/2025 17:32

Don't go there. It will go tits up.

LilExhausted · 06/01/2025 17:31

endsnewyearsday · 06/01/2025 17:28

I can't think of anything worse than having another bloke in the house tbh. The fact that you have such young children and hardly know him would make it a hard no from me.

Things that would worry me:

Would he get too settled and not leave when you expect/want him to?

Would your DH and him "pair up" and leave you feeling like a gooseberry in your own home while they watch sport/drink/go to the pub/play golf?

Would he bring women back?

Would he stay out late and come in noisily waking the dc?

Would he create more mess/laundry and expect you to be his housekeeper?

The list goes on. Too many risks considering you don't need the money.

@endsnewyearsday I appreciate this perspective. He is married and has a family but he will look for a house on rent in 4 months time to bring them over. My worry would be if he might think of bringing family with him too in our spare room.

OP posts:
TheFlis · 06/01/2025 17:29

Oh hell no it’s a terrible idea.

TomatoSandwiches · 06/01/2025 17:29

I wouldn't have a strange man in the house whilst on MAT leave with very young children in the house no.

LilExhausted · 06/01/2025 17:29

roses2 · 06/01/2025 17:27

I let my spare room to a friend but for a much reduced rate and I knew her well. Excellent cook, clean and great with the kids.

Would this man want to pay market rate to share with a family when he can let for the same price elsewhere without worrying about kids, shared cooking etc?

@roses2 he has this budget and I think he cooks his meals currently but while staying with us it will be joint cooking so sometimes easier for him. Also, I am on mat leave and toddler in full time nursery so there won't be much childcare needed.

OP posts:
endsnewyearsday · 06/01/2025 17:28

I can't think of anything worse than having another bloke in the house tbh. The fact that you have such young children and hardly know him would make it a hard no from me.

Things that would worry me:

Would he get too settled and not leave when you expect/want him to?

Would your DH and him "pair up" and leave you feeling like a gooseberry in your own home while they watch sport/drink/go to the pub/play golf?

Would he bring women back?

Would he stay out late and come in noisily waking the dc?

Would he create more mess/laundry and expect you to be his housekeeper?

The list goes on. Too many risks considering you don't need the money.

roses2 · 06/01/2025 17:27

I let my spare room to a friend but for a much reduced rate and I knew her well. Excellent cook, clean and great with the kids.

Would this man want to pay market rate to share with a family when he can let for the same price elsewhere without worrying about kids, shared cooking etc?