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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to warn a friend before visiting a very dirty house?

471 replies

SomeBastardHasSquashedAFrog · 15/05/2026 14:19

I have a friend who I get on well with, after knowing her a few months she invited me around for a coffee adding “just excuse the mess”. I don’t usually care about people’s houses as I’m not house proud myself.

Anyway, it was bad, only saw hallway and living room at this point but the carpets looked like they had a full inch layer of pet hair imbedded into them, the sofas were all ripped and stained with mucky blankets thrown all over them and there was an awful smell. Funnily enough no actual rubbish or dirty pots anywhere in here though. Friend told me to sit down whilst she made coffee 😬 The sofa featured a huge Rottweiler laid right across it sleeping, I looked at dog then at friend and she said “just shove him out of the way” errr no 😂 so I joined her in the kitchen.

Well Jesus this is where it goes from bad to TV program content, there was stuff everywhere - open food, packets and wrappers all over, piles of dirty pots, dog food all over the floor (meat, not biscuits) and the smell was now eyewatering. Long story short she’d decided to use the little pantry room as a giant cat litter tray, when she opened the door the smell literally knocked me back which I’ve NEVER experienced before.

I was desperate for toilet and it was over an hours drive home so I thought I’d risk it there … you could barely get in the bathroom - the bath itself was stacked high with crap, stuff all over the floor, shit stains all over the toilet including the seat. I left it and came out the room to her stood there telling me to go and see the new curtains she had in her bedroom - well fuck me the upstairs of the house was much worse than the ground floor - there was rubbish EVERYWHERE, literal dog and cat shit on the carpets in various areas, stains all over the beds, empty coke cans and takeaway wrappers on her bed … honestly I’ve never seen anything like it.

Now, my AIBU … mutual friend has never been and we’ve been invited over this weekend. She is much more straight talking than me and is likely to tell her straight that it’s a disgrace. Do I
a) warn mutual friend before hand what to expect and to not mention it?
b) suggest to inviting friend gently that she might want to tidy up a bit before weekend - maybe offer to help but this sounds so bloody cheeky to me
or c) YABU - let nature take its course.

You would NEVER guess from meeting friend that she lives like this, she’s very well spoken and honestly I thought she was posh!

OP posts:
ALLgo · 16/05/2026 18:28

Oh jeez I just wouldn't go. Sounds diabolical. Arrange to go somewhere else for the catchup.

MerryUmberHedgehog · 16/05/2026 18:26

You need to tell this person her house is disgusting.

Isinglass20 · 16/05/2026 18:24

Sounds as if the friend had a very privileged childhood with servants. The landed gentry in big old inherited homes couldn’t give a toss what the lower orders think.
So whatever OP does will have no impact. Think about the daughter of QE’s equerry who ran off and had several children taken into care and the baby found in a carrier bag on an allotment after a wild car chase.
So accept the friend as she is or not. She will not change

Zoec1975 · 16/05/2026 18:12

SomeBastardHasSquashedAFrog · 15/05/2026 14:19

I have a friend who I get on well with, after knowing her a few months she invited me around for a coffee adding “just excuse the mess”. I don’t usually care about people’s houses as I’m not house proud myself.

Anyway, it was bad, only saw hallway and living room at this point but the carpets looked like they had a full inch layer of pet hair imbedded into them, the sofas were all ripped and stained with mucky blankets thrown all over them and there was an awful smell. Funnily enough no actual rubbish or dirty pots anywhere in here though. Friend told me to sit down whilst she made coffee 😬 The sofa featured a huge Rottweiler laid right across it sleeping, I looked at dog then at friend and she said “just shove him out of the way” errr no 😂 so I joined her in the kitchen.

Well Jesus this is where it goes from bad to TV program content, there was stuff everywhere - open food, packets and wrappers all over, piles of dirty pots, dog food all over the floor (meat, not biscuits) and the smell was now eyewatering. Long story short she’d decided to use the little pantry room as a giant cat litter tray, when she opened the door the smell literally knocked me back which I’ve NEVER experienced before.

I was desperate for toilet and it was over an hours drive home so I thought I’d risk it there … you could barely get in the bathroom - the bath itself was stacked high with crap, stuff all over the floor, shit stains all over the toilet including the seat. I left it and came out the room to her stood there telling me to go and see the new curtains she had in her bedroom - well fuck me the upstairs of the house was much worse than the ground floor - there was rubbish EVERYWHERE, literal dog and cat shit on the carpets in various areas, stains all over the beds, empty coke cans and takeaway wrappers on her bed … honestly I’ve never seen anything like it.

Now, my AIBU … mutual friend has never been and we’ve been invited over this weekend. She is much more straight talking than me and is likely to tell her straight that it’s a disgrace. Do I
a) warn mutual friend before hand what to expect and to not mention it?
b) suggest to inviting friend gently that she might want to tidy up a bit before weekend - maybe offer to help but this sounds so bloody cheeky to me
or c) YABU - let nature take its course.

You would NEVER guess from meeting friend that she lives like this, she’s very well spoken and honestly I thought she was posh!

Why even bother going.if the pets are not looked after properly please report.

GethsemaneHall · 16/05/2026 18:07

Daisymay1000 · 16/05/2026 18:02

It’s so sad you did this as a post I could never judge a friend like that. That’s not a true friend.

I judge anyone living like that 🤷‍♀️

Sennelier1 · 16/05/2026 18:07

I think you should thank politely for a second invitation. If your friend asks you why, you could talk to her - but not if she doesn't enquire. Same for the other person she intends to invite. But I would not go back there. I admire you for not saying anything at the moment, but I would not be able to keep that up a second time. Mind you, I can stand messy, especially in a house with children. But dirty? Animal excrements everywhere? I wouldn't even accept a glass of water.

Daisymay1000 · 16/05/2026 18:02

SomeBastardHasSquashedAFrog · 15/05/2026 14:19

I have a friend who I get on well with, after knowing her a few months she invited me around for a coffee adding “just excuse the mess”. I don’t usually care about people’s houses as I’m not house proud myself.

Anyway, it was bad, only saw hallway and living room at this point but the carpets looked like they had a full inch layer of pet hair imbedded into them, the sofas were all ripped and stained with mucky blankets thrown all over them and there was an awful smell. Funnily enough no actual rubbish or dirty pots anywhere in here though. Friend told me to sit down whilst she made coffee 😬 The sofa featured a huge Rottweiler laid right across it sleeping, I looked at dog then at friend and she said “just shove him out of the way” errr no 😂 so I joined her in the kitchen.

Well Jesus this is where it goes from bad to TV program content, there was stuff everywhere - open food, packets and wrappers all over, piles of dirty pots, dog food all over the floor (meat, not biscuits) and the smell was now eyewatering. Long story short she’d decided to use the little pantry room as a giant cat litter tray, when she opened the door the smell literally knocked me back which I’ve NEVER experienced before.

I was desperate for toilet and it was over an hours drive home so I thought I’d risk it there … you could barely get in the bathroom - the bath itself was stacked high with crap, stuff all over the floor, shit stains all over the toilet including the seat. I left it and came out the room to her stood there telling me to go and see the new curtains she had in her bedroom - well fuck me the upstairs of the house was much worse than the ground floor - there was rubbish EVERYWHERE, literal dog and cat shit on the carpets in various areas, stains all over the beds, empty coke cans and takeaway wrappers on her bed … honestly I’ve never seen anything like it.

Now, my AIBU … mutual friend has never been and we’ve been invited over this weekend. She is much more straight talking than me and is likely to tell her straight that it’s a disgrace. Do I
a) warn mutual friend before hand what to expect and to not mention it?
b) suggest to inviting friend gently that she might want to tidy up a bit before weekend - maybe offer to help but this sounds so bloody cheeky to me
or c) YABU - let nature take its course.

You would NEVER guess from meeting friend that she lives like this, she’s very well spoken and honestly I thought she was posh!

It’s so sad you did this as a post I could never judge a friend like that. That’s not a true friend.

truffleruffle · 16/05/2026 17:57

I would want to know. I would be disappointed if I wasn’t told in advance as I couldn’t go into a house like that. Sounds disgusting and a heath hazard.

Iz20 · 16/05/2026 17:56

Don’t say a thing if she is anything like you she will bring it up , she is your friend it won’t look nice if you say anything you will end up the bad guy you are not going back let your other friend make her own mind up after she sees it .

BeigeandGreige · 16/05/2026 17:55

First thing I thought of was the poor animals.

Humans can chose to live this way, the animals don’t get a choice.

It is neglect for an animal.

She needs an intervention, real friends wouldn’t let real friends live in that without telling them some home truths. Sorry.

MMAS · 16/05/2026 17:51

What does used to work in the Community actually mean?

Lollylucyclark101 · 16/05/2026 17:44

SomeBastardHasSquashedAFrog · 15/05/2026 14:19

I have a friend who I get on well with, after knowing her a few months she invited me around for a coffee adding “just excuse the mess”. I don’t usually care about people’s houses as I’m not house proud myself.

Anyway, it was bad, only saw hallway and living room at this point but the carpets looked like they had a full inch layer of pet hair imbedded into them, the sofas were all ripped and stained with mucky blankets thrown all over them and there was an awful smell. Funnily enough no actual rubbish or dirty pots anywhere in here though. Friend told me to sit down whilst she made coffee 😬 The sofa featured a huge Rottweiler laid right across it sleeping, I looked at dog then at friend and she said “just shove him out of the way” errr no 😂 so I joined her in the kitchen.

Well Jesus this is where it goes from bad to TV program content, there was stuff everywhere - open food, packets and wrappers all over, piles of dirty pots, dog food all over the floor (meat, not biscuits) and the smell was now eyewatering. Long story short she’d decided to use the little pantry room as a giant cat litter tray, when she opened the door the smell literally knocked me back which I’ve NEVER experienced before.

I was desperate for toilet and it was over an hours drive home so I thought I’d risk it there … you could barely get in the bathroom - the bath itself was stacked high with crap, stuff all over the floor, shit stains all over the toilet including the seat. I left it and came out the room to her stood there telling me to go and see the new curtains she had in her bedroom - well fuck me the upstairs of the house was much worse than the ground floor - there was rubbish EVERYWHERE, literal dog and cat shit on the carpets in various areas, stains all over the beds, empty coke cans and takeaway wrappers on her bed … honestly I’ve never seen anything like it.

Now, my AIBU … mutual friend has never been and we’ve been invited over this weekend. She is much more straight talking than me and is likely to tell her straight that it’s a disgrace. Do I
a) warn mutual friend before hand what to expect and to not mention it?
b) suggest to inviting friend gently that she might want to tidy up a bit before weekend - maybe offer to help but this sounds so bloody cheeky to me
or c) YABU - let nature take its course.

You would NEVER guess from meeting friend that she lives like this, she’s very well spoken and honestly I thought she was posh!

I wouldn’t go. It’s as simple as that.

I would be really kind about it, but I would make it clear that’s not how people are supposed to live and say I wouldn’t be visiting due to the mess.

I would report her to the RSPCA and children’s services if she has kids.

FrangipaneMincies · 16/05/2026 17:40

I'd be ringing the RSPCA

Iamthemoom · 16/05/2026 15:44

If your visiting friend did say something maybe your filthy untidy friend would think about how she’s living. I can’t believe you haven’t said anything. You’re normalising this by saying nothing. It’s really not normal or ok to live in squalor and invite people round. You say she’s not having mental health issues so is likely just lazy then. But this isn’t fair on her pets or her visitors.

No matter how much I liked someone I couldn’t cope with being in a home like this. I certainly couldn’t drink or eat anything. I would have to say something like, ‘I really enjoy our friendship but I don’t feel uncomfortable in dirty homes. This is really unhealthy for you and your pets. Maybe you need to tidy up and get a cleaning company in for a reset.’ And I’d buy her a Marie Kondo book!

deeahgwitch · 16/05/2026 15:30

Does it smell really badly @SomeBastardHasSquashedAFrog ?
If it did I couldn’t return.
I think you should warn your friend but I would also hope she shows her disgust to the homeowner who might then make an effort. The poor animals.

treetophome · 16/05/2026 12:32

Friendlygingercat · 16/05/2026 11:42

I dont think its OPs place to offer to clean. I would warn mutual friend and then let nature take its course.

I find this a very weird suggestion too.

Most of us are busy enough as it is, it's not my responsibility to clear up my friend's dog's shit. It's her dog, her responsibility and if she cant look after it properly then someone needs to call RSPCA.

The very idea that its on OP to go round and clean her house is ridiculous and also pointless - OP could spend her entire weekend scrubbing this woman's house and unless the friend is willing to maintain it (which she clearly isnt), it will go back to exactly how it was before within two weeks.

What then?- OP becomes this woman's permanent free skivvy/cleaner

Thehandinthecookiejar · 16/05/2026 11:49

Why are you even taking your other friend there?

Friendlygingercat · 16/05/2026 11:42

I dont think its OPs place to offer to clean. I would warn mutual friend and then let nature take its course.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 16/05/2026 11:41

Why in earth are you going for a re-visit?

LotusLovett · 16/05/2026 10:31

OP O I'm not up to date with the thread but I just want to say you sound like a lovely person. I'm embarrassed by my house and hate having people over, mine is nothing like this bad but in a world when everyone around me lives in showhomes I always feel inadequate. It's lovely to know there are people out there that are able to look past that and wouldn't drop me as a friend because of it. Thank you 😊

EmeraldShamrock000 · 16/05/2026 10:22

OP why on earth would you visit a second time? Airborne pet shit particles floating in the air. I’d want a gas mask on.

lljkk · 16/05/2026 10:18

If I were OP, I would warn mutual friend how bad it is & let mutual friend decide how to deal with that. I imagine we're all thinking the unhygienic friend would benefit from some straight talking about how bad the house is.

somethingnewandexciting · 16/05/2026 10:07

I had a friend like this years ago, with over 12 cats. The smell was so bad it burnt your nose. I cleaned several rooms as I recognised how easy mental health issues can cause a hard environment to pull yourself out of. It didn't help anything, in fact I would say it emboldened her to invite more people over. There was an emergency meeting of friends because she wanted to cook for us and all of us were worried about becoming ill and the idea of eating in the cat-piss smell was impossible. If she can't see there is an issue and get help I don't think there is much anyone can do without it being a full time job that needs mental support as well as basics of why hygiene is important and what that entailed. Toxoplasmosis is a real danger.

Lins77 · 16/05/2026 09:55

Pipsquiggle · 16/05/2026 07:01

Out of interest does anyone know if a social worker could lose her job over being reported for something like this.
She obviously has executive function issues in her own life but seems to be able to function in her job.
Would her employer class this as a mental health issue and hopefully support her?

If she is performing to a reasonable standard at work there's no reason for her to lose her job, or indeed for social services to be involved at all over her living conditions. People have the right to live how they want, unpleasant though it may be to most people.

Social services would only be involved if she was classed as a vulnerable adult, which doesn't appear to be the case.

loislovesstewie · 16/05/2026 09:52

Jane143 · 16/05/2026 08:35

I’d just accept how she is, a bit of dirt never hurt anyone and you say she’s a nice person. Maybe offer to help? It’s probably just got too much for her

So you would be happy walking through a house with excrement all over the floor? You would drink a cup of coffee or eat something that had come out of a filthy kitchen? I would not, and I would not enter the house again.

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