AIBU to think it's a bit cheeky to want our house (when we're not even in it)?

Bet your husband wouldn't be the one working themselves into a tizz cleaning before you left to make sure the place was ready for their arrival, and putting things straight when you get back home.

If you mean "but don't let them crash at your house" I think it's one thing for them to stay over for a night or maybe two when you're there but it's a bit odd for someone to take over you're house when you're not there and it is a cheeky ask.

What happened to waiting for an invitation?

I wouldn't like that at all and the fact that they have asked would make it an instant no.

It's fine for you to be uncomfortable with it and say no on that basis but I don't think it's an outright cheeky ask from good friends. More casual acquaintances, definitely no, but for family and good friends I would trust mine to take care of my home and follow any instructions I'd left and they would reciprocate.

I haven't voted because I don't think it's clearcut either way.

No from me, people potentially going through my stuff, joking about all the junk, if it was my mum and dad it would be OK or my PILs but that would be it.

My parents often stay when we’re away, but are very useful if pets need feeding will sort them, keep the place clean and tidy and my Dad has been known to do a bit of gardening!
DH likes them staying as he feels is a bit of security for our home. But, I don’t think we’d let anyone else do it and that includes his family, which he’s in agreement with!

What is wrong with our culture, where you can describe someone as good friends but dont let them crash at your house?!

For good friends, sure, no problem at all.

I’d have no problem at all with this. We’ve stayed at friends houses before, and friends / family have stayed at ours when not home.

my friends definitely wouldn't judge me for dust in my house 😂(I wouldn't be mates with them if they did)

Nope, other than a very select few, but nobody I felt weird about that's for sure.

Tell them you're taking the opportunity to replace the lead piping for the water supply and have some rewiring done so there will be no water or electricity.

Shame.

It’s a bit different if the owners offer you the use of their house, rather than assuming they can stay there.

I really don't understand why you wouldn't. You say they are good friends, so what's the issue?

My friends who love abroad come back regularly to London and stay at our house, even when we're not here. They even have a key.

I have no weird fetish stuff they could find (not that they would go snooping) and my house is clean and tidy so no shame there.

I don't understand MN some times. Don't answer your door, have rules about family visiting, don't want to help neighbours. It's really sad!

No! Apart from anything, don’t want the hassle of getting the house ‘house ready’ for visitors.

I have family members who would assume this. Eg. Son moves into new house and relative instantly assumed they’d be able to stay there if visiting that touristy city.

We were offered the use of a house while its owner was on holiday a couple of years ago when we had to travel for a funeral. So kind and so much appreciated. I wouldn’t hesitate if it was someone I knew well and trusted.

Absolutely no way, OP. I guarantee that if you let them, one way or another it will lead to trouble - things broken/ used up/ problems with keys - if you wanted to run an Airbnb, you would!

Not in a million years would I agree to that for anyone.

Absolutely not!

Wouldn't even be up for debate. Hard no from me. Not even for family.

Exactly!

I’d also be fine with close family but no wider than that. Maybe my oldest friend or something.

Very rude to hint at anything! And particularly cheeky to hint about staying in your home. It may save them a bit but what about your water, electric and insurance bills?

And although not everyone feels the same way about this, I personally think it’s rather an intrusion. Depends on the level of friendship. Fine if you had invited them. But really not otherwise.

I think this may not have been a coincidence op and that they have planned their trip on purpose around your holiday. In your shoes, I would pretend to be terribly dozy and not pick up on the hints at all. But should they ask outright; I’d just say that you have work men in.

Absolutely not. They are incredibly cheeky to “hint” / ask to stay at yours without you offering.

The reason your DH isn’t bothered is that no one judges men on all the things women are judged on, and that you will feel expected to have sorted if people are going to use your house as a free Airbnb.

I definitely wouldn’t want this!

If they were relatives, then yes. But I wouldn't want folk in my house in case they judged me. eg. look at the dust up there. LoL

If you do give in to this cheeky fuckery, check your insurance. I think you'll find you're not covered.

You don't even need to say no, just don't pick up on the "casual hints" and tell your husband to keep his mouth shut as well!