Is it me, or are these friends exploiting us?

If they are paying, they are more likely to buy/move quicker, whereas if they are getting a freebie, they won't be under pressure to sort themselves out quickly.Theyll stay longer.

“No, I’m afraid that does not work for us.”

And no other extraneous info/ chat/ excuses.

No emotion, no apologies but no.

Sorry I got the wrong end of the stick and thought you'd refused.

Please just say no.

Nope,fish and guests always stink after 3 day- God forbid a month.
Why are you honour bound to save them money?
Oh, and when they are settled be sure to ask for some reciprocation.

I’ve received a message this morning basically saying, no worries, a friend of a friend in France has an available holiday let and they will be relocating there until the end of June! I don’t know who they have tapped for a favour this time, but no doubt they’re happy because they don’t have any rental costs.

I'd take this opportunity to message back an say - oh its so great you alway land on your feet - we never have to worry about you.

Which means its going to be easier and easier to say no to you as you are jammy fuckers that manage to get people to do what you want

Of course you dó know they will not be in your house for a month but for several months before they find a place of their own, and then some more time before conclusion and sighning the contract. Say no.

Fk no

At least you've told them. Next step: garage.

I'd be tempted to get harsh and say either they remove it from your property (arranging themselves) or it's on the pavement for grabs.

Yes, make it so that if they get in touch, you remind them they still need to do something for you, so it's harder for them to ask for more favours (in theory anyway..) Say if they can't get it transferred to storage when here in July, you'll have to just get rid of it. Warning: if they say 'can you get it moved for us?' ask for the price of it first and don't do anything till you have the money.

I would do this too..

I've definitely been guilty of falling foul of CFs but I am way better at setting boundaries now. How dare they clog up your garage. The arrangement was for one month. Tell them to have it removed.

I'd send a WhatsApp saying that while they're here in June, they will need to move their stuff out of your garage as you need the space.

So much so that when she video whatsapped me a couple of hours ago to tell me they were coming back to the U.K. for a few days in mid June to sort out some paperwork, I felt confident enough to say that she really needs to book a hotel online now as it’s a busy time of the year!

Haha, good for you! As a pp said, get them to put their stuff in storage then as well. Then wash your hands, maybe do the odd text if they get in touch, but consider yourself rid! I bet if you dropped a few gentle comments about this with your mutual friends, you'd find out a lot of them are at the same place as you are with them.

Well done.
Once the scales fall from your eyes fully, you can never unsee.
There next visit is the perfect time for them to move their stuff to storage as you need the space.
Otherwise very likely it could go on until they eventually find a property.

I'd be saying "Actually, that might work, we've been looking at renting out rooms to get some more cash, I think about £100 per night for our area is the going rate, how long are you thinking? We could call it £500pw mates rates if you'd be happy to chip in with food and and cleaning. It could be fun, you cook Sat-Tues, we'll do Weds-Fri."

Oh WOW! That's brilliant, OP! Well done you! Looks like those cajones are growing after all. 😂

Well done!!

Spot on comment, OP, you do sound really lovely.

And I speak as someone who "hosted" a random couple in my flat for several months, it's not good and best swerved, however uncomfortable it is to say no.

Just to say OP, you sound really lovely.

@JohnPrescottsPyjamas

1000% this! ⬆️ Fuck that. They're out of order.

Phew! I can't tell you how pleased I am that you refused them OP, and as I suspected, someone else already lined up in case you turned them down. Hate people like this, but the trouble is, they do always seem to be charming and fun, however, that's how they get away with it, so watch out for people like this in future. Well done for being strong enough to say NO! It's a skill we all need to learn!

I see their allure as they are fun and charming and helping them out gives a warm glow.... Until you start to realise they are taking advantage of you.

I would make a decision the friendship was over for me but just to prevent me having to carry the resentment forever I'd entertain myself asking them day in day out for favours until they snapped.

I feel quite sad reading this. I really dislike being treated like staff. But I'm a people pleaser and would stress no end about saying no. I'm glad you have got more balls than me.

Looking forward, will you carry on the friendship, or phase them out? I would do the latter. Life is too short for wealthy freeloaders.

Omg, freeloading wankers. Say hell no and find some normal friends.