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Staying at a friends house - it’s filthy

648 replies

Wellthisisshitty · 29/05/2024 10:26

We are driving across the country for a short trip and a friend who I’ve not seen in a few years asked if we’d like to come and stay to break up the journey there. Her husband is away for work for a few days, mine is at home working so it was a no brainer.

We used to live in the same area, both moved away a few years ago so I jumped at it. Thought it would be lovely to spend the day/night with her and her children, all same age as mine, older two went to school together when they were small.

We arrived an hour ago and I could cry. It’s like something out of those hoarders programs and it honestly smells like something has died in here. The smell hit me as soon as she opened the door and it got worse as I headed to the kitchen/bathroom. The sofas are encrusted with food/first and covered with clothes, food, toys. Flies everywhere, cat shit overflowing litter trays.

Shes given me and my toddler her room for the night, just put our bags up there and you can’t even walk to the bed. Shit all over the bed and the floor and god, the smell. Bathrooms are piled high. my other children are supposed to be sleeping in her children’s rooms but again, piled high.

I feel awful saying this, but I don’t know if I can stay here. She said she would cook, but I am standing in her kitchen and there is just mould on everything. I’m sticking taking us all out to a carvery on my credit card as a thank you, I can’t eat here.

I don’t care if I sound awful by the way. It’s not just a bit of dirt and mess.

OP posts:
AmandaHoldensLips · 29/05/2024 10:28

That's grim. I'd be booking into a travel lodge or something.

She might be blind to it, but no way would I subject myself or my kids to that.

AmandaHoldensLips · 29/05/2024 10:29

To preserve her feelings, you might say you have a cat allergy...

BlueGrackle · 29/05/2024 10:30

Take them out for food and catch up. Bring up allergy to pets and how you couldn’t take her bed, book into travel lodge.

HumphreyCobblers · 29/05/2024 10:30

I would leave. It is a health hazard for your children. Don't tell me she worms her animals, there is a toxoplasmosis risk.

Littlebitofsomething · 29/05/2024 10:30

I would make up an emergency and leave. Your kids could get sick.

GameOfJones · 29/05/2024 10:30

That is shocking. No way would I eat there and honestly I don't think I could sleep there either. I'm amazed that she can't see how grim it is for guests?

Going out for a meal is a good idea but if you can't stay there I would be making my excuses and leaving to book a premier inn or something.

BingoMarieHeeler · 29/05/2024 10:31

BlueGrackle · 29/05/2024 10:30

Take them out for food and catch up. Bring up allergy to pets and how you couldn’t take her bed, book into travel lodge.

This is the solution.

Wellthisisshitty · 29/05/2024 10:31

AmandaHoldensLips · 29/05/2024 10:29

To preserve her feelings, you might say you have a cat allergy...

If only I didn’t have two cats of my own!

OP posts:
K0OLA1D · 29/05/2024 10:31

Yes taken them out for tea and say cat allergy. There is no way I'd stay. Can you get dp to call you with an emergency and stay at a Premier Inn?

GameOfJones · 29/05/2024 10:32

I hadn't thought about toxoplasmosis but a PP is right, if it's that disgusting it's actually a health hazard so you can't stay. I'd say thank you very much, take them out for food to catch up then invent an emergency if you have to and leave.

annabofana · 29/05/2024 10:33

BlueGrackle · 29/05/2024 10:30

Take them out for food and catch up. Bring up allergy to pets and how you couldn’t take her bed, book into travel lodge.

Yes, do this.

Eyesopenwideawake · 29/05/2024 10:34

Text your DH and get him to call with an emergency which requires you to go home ASAP. Once you're out you can find a hotel.

Apollo365 · 29/05/2024 10:34

Leave now!

So sorry friend, the children aren’t feeling great. I think it’s allergy related as this happened before. Let’s still head to the carvery for dinner together and then we will go on to the premier inn.
byeeeeeeeee

annabofana · 29/05/2024 10:34

Don't worry about having cats of your own, you can still be allergic to other cats.

Even if she doesn't believe it, so what.

Just rub your eyes, pop an antihistamine and say you're going to a travel lodge later but let's all go out for dinner and a catch up just now.

SleepingStandingUp · 29/05/2024 10:35

Whatever you decide on,I hope a call to social services is included. It isn't good enough for your kids to stay in but hers LIVE THERE. It isn't good enough for them either. Please don't ignore it.

Wellthisisshitty · 29/05/2024 10:35

We are currently an hour and a half away from home, and two hours from here to our destination, so not the end of the world to go home after park and late lunch - or to carry onto out destination a day early and try to book an extra night or a Travelodge there or something.

dh is on it back at home for me.

I cannot stay here. I don’t know what I will say, but I just cant.

I knew she was giving up her bed for us last week - she said she didn’t mind sleeping on the sofa at all, so I can’t use that excuse.

They were always a little bit untidy but NOTHING like this.

OP posts:
Apollo365 · 29/05/2024 10:35

SleepingStandingUp · 29/05/2024 10:35

Whatever you decide on,I hope a call to social services is included. It isn't good enough for your kids to stay in but hers LIVE THERE. It isn't good enough for them either. Please don't ignore it.

Agree, very sad indeed

K0OLA1D · 29/05/2024 10:36

SleepingStandingUp · 29/05/2024 10:35

Whatever you decide on,I hope a call to social services is included. It isn't good enough for your kids to stay in but hers LIVE THERE. It isn't good enough for them either. Please don't ignore it.

Yeah this. And the cats too. I have cats and they don't have poo in their trays if we're in the house. No excuses.

Deathraystare · 29/05/2024 10:36

That is shocking! Never mind about her feelings, you have young kids!

I am slovenly but I would hope to God if I had pets they would be toilet trained....

IndecentPropolis · 29/05/2024 10:36

All the above. Then report to SS.

K0OLA1D · 29/05/2024 10:37

Wellthisisshitty · 29/05/2024 10:35

We are currently an hour and a half away from home, and two hours from here to our destination, so not the end of the world to go home after park and late lunch - or to carry onto out destination a day early and try to book an extra night or a Travelodge there or something.

dh is on it back at home for me.

I cannot stay here. I don’t know what I will say, but I just cant.

I knew she was giving up her bed for us last week - she said she didn’t mind sleeping on the sofa at all, so I can’t use that excuse.

They were always a little bit untidy but NOTHING like this.

Definitely make up an emergency. I couldn't stop in a house like that.

Apollo365 · 29/05/2024 10:38

Can you fake vomit in the bushes at the park, then you’d better go to a premier inn to not spead it to her family.
do not unpack your car

nupnup · 29/05/2024 10:39

I wouldn't lie about a bloody allergy, be honest!

Make an excuse to leave if uncomfortable but I would text after saying

Hi friend, apologise for the haste exit. I am truly sorry but we cannot stay in the house when it's that unkept. I'm concerned that you need more support as it's really going to make you / the children ill. There is mould in the kitchen and it's no state for children to be in.
Sorry again.

Following on from that, a call to SS. I've done something similar recently and reported a now ex friend to SS as she put 2 and 2 together and guessed it was me. But I couldn't let her awful house with dog shit go unnoticed when there's kids about. But I absolutely wouldn't lie. Be honest.

nupnup · 29/05/2024 10:40

Apollo365 · 29/05/2024 10:38

Can you fake vomit in the bushes at the park, then you’d better go to a premier inn to not spead it to her family.
do not unpack your car

Yeah don't do this.

Whats up with honesty? Why lie?

maudelovesharold · 29/05/2024 10:40

The cats are toilet trained, but their litter trays are not being cleaned. I took the ‘shit all over the bed’ comment to mean ‘stuff all over the bed’?