If you've stayed with a friend for a long period, what did you find useful?

[Insidelaurashed]

I have a friend (from Canada, we are UK) coming to stay with me from Friday. She's moving to the UK, wants to base herself in my area and I'm away (but local) for the vast majority of the next 5 weeks so it made sense to offer for her to stay at my house, which has decent public transport links, for up to 7 weeks (I arrive home just before Christmas, I'm absolutely not expecting her to be moving out then!)

I want to make sure I'm welcoming and give her the stuff she needs whilst also not being overbearing, and that for the couple of weeks me, her and my DP will be in the house we're not annoying.

I've written a house guide that says things like when the bins go out and how our recycling works, where the stopcock/fuse boxes etc are in case of emergency, any house quirks (like the bathroom light has been flickering recently, we think we've fixed it but if it happens again, she's not broken it!)

I've also put in the guide what the bus numbers are for the places she's likely to need, where the nearest supermarket and pharmacy is etc.

Finally I've put down local plans that we have, like a christmas market and a film festival, that she is welcome to come with us to, should she be free/fancy it, along with the associated costs of these things.

I've put in the guide that she should treat the house as her own, how to work the heating, wifi info, things like our netflix and disneyplus that she's welcome to use, and where staples like rice/pasta etc live with permission to help herself.

I've cleared space for her in our shoe cupboard, our coat hooks and in the freezer. Fridge will be empty bar sauces etc anyway. There's some cupboard space for her shopping, and I've cleared space for her on shelves/surfaces in the room she will be sleeping in (usually my office, i won't be using it whilst she's here) Bedding is clean, there's a spare set in her room too along with two (large, good quality) bath towels and two hand towels, so she has a set to use and one for the wash-and I've told her where others live if necessary. I've also popped new cosy blankets in the lounge and told her how to work the heating (which is easy)

She lands later in the evening so we will leave milk/bread/cheese/eggs so she can eat when arriving if she wants to and we've also popped a bottle of wine, little box of chocolates and a welcome to the UK card.

I feel like I'm overthinking this a bit, but can anyone think of anything glaringly obvious that I've missed? I want her to feel welcome and be able to feel at home, not be sad because she's freezing or something.

Sounds amazing!

So she’s moving in and your DP will be there? How does he feel about it??

That's lovely, she'll feel so welcome there! Have you got a hairdryer you could leave on your bed for her to borrow just in case?

Does she know anyone in the area? Any friends?

Yeah i couldnt think of much worse from the friends perspective and the DP's perspective than to be put together whilst you go off for 5 weeks.

You’ll be back on here asking how to get rid of her next year 😆

A plug socket or extension near the bedside and adaptor if you have one (although yours will be the wrong way round!) - you could check with her in advance that she has one

Any info on good neighbours she could call on in an emergency if needed

you sound like an amazing friend though 😊

I read it as the OP and her partner will be away and return just before Xmas. Otherwise, why write how the heating works , the dodgey light etc. the partner would be there to explain it all

Washing instructions - any quirks to your machine, is it ok to run a partial load, how much soap to use, is it ok to dry things on the radiators/on a clothes horse/inside but only if a dehumidifier is running/window open.

Just wanted to say you’re so thoughtful and nice, hope she’s the same and you all have a pleasant time.

I read years ago that people feel the cold more in other people's houses. I always put a couple of fleece blankets at the foot of the bed and a hot water bottle visible, to use if they want.

Might be nice, if you have a spare one, to wash a fleece or towelling robe for her as it may be too bulky a thing for her to have packed, but nice to have. I always leave a robe out for DC's friends or partners when they stay over.

Don't know if you mentioned this and I missed it, but a list of good local places - best takeaways, bakers, cafes, nearby swimming pool, cinema, prettiest local walks etc.

To all those who haven’t read OP’s post properly her friend will not be in the house with her DH alone! See “I want to make sure I'm welcoming and give her the stuff she needs whilst also not being overbearing, and that for the couple of weeks me, her and my DP will be in the house we're not annoying.”

OP - what a wonderful, thoughtful, and super organised person you are. Can I come and stay with you?!

A couple of worst case scenario info for your guide:

1. sounds obvious but as she is from Canada she may not know that our emergency services number is 999. God forbid she needs to use it!
2. number or contacts for Doctor or Dentist she may need if she is ill but not emergency.
3. the numbers of any reliable tradespeople you use such as electrician, plumber: just in case.
4. A few months ago our toilet waste was all over our patio (yuk) due do blocked network pipes. We had to call our water supplier (United Utilities) to come and clear it all. So your water supplier number, account number etc.
5. She may not be aware of services like Deliveroo/JustEat so add those (yup sometimes midnight chocolate is an emergency lol)

I hope she has a lovely time and you all enjoy Christmas together.

Thanks everyone for really useful thoughts! Yes, apologies it's me and DP who will be away (so house is empty for about 5 of the 7 weeks she'd be living here anyway) and I absolutely checked DP was okay with a house guest before even mentioning it to my friend as a suggestion.

I am lucky that the first 3.5 weeks we are away we're a short drive, and so (if she's free, of course!) I'll make sure I actually get to pop round for a cuppa. I'll also be contactable constantly other than for two short flights towards the end, in case of any issues. My dad, who is my go to emergency person, is 5 minutes away and if she rings me because something is broken he'd nip up and help. I definitely wouldn't want her to feel like she had responsibility for solving a problem beyond just letting us know :)

Just us. She has one UK friend in Nottingham (we're Yorkshire) and some distantish family somewhere in the country-I can't remember where. We have deliberately made clear things we are doing that she's welcome to hang out with us for, if she wants company, and I will check in with her often via text-moving countries is, however exciting, also pretty scary at times I suspect!

Oooh, really useful thank you! I'd put the basics but could definitely add to this so thank you!

TV remote guide- every household system is diffeeent! Also maybe even a Radio Times. Plus local leisure centre info- where it is, council run, name of app? But tbh if she is sensible she’ll work that all out whereas TVs can be baffling.

You are being exceedingly generous and helpful!

Will she be making any kind of financial contribution, even if it’s just utilities?

Having seen my generosity being taken advantage of in the past I would also want to be sure that she will be moving out after 7 weeks.

I'd mainly focus on the stuff specific to your house, I'm sure she will be quite capable of working out public transport, supermarkets etc. Maybe tell her the names of local FB groups are useful for finding out what's going on, getting recommendations etc.

Yes to both of these things. We've asked for £25 a week and for her to either buy her own food (obviously she will be doing when we're not here!) or said we can agree an amount for her to put into our food budget and all eat together.

She's stayed with me twice before whilst visiting, for a couple of days at a time, and whilst that isn't the same she's insisted on cooking for me (and then washed up) and been clean, tidy and polite etc.

In terms of leaving-she is going back to Canada for a month mid Jan, so worst case, if there's some dire issue and she refuses to leave-I change the locks when she goes to Canada. Unlikely that'll happen but I like an in case of disaster plan!

Local Facebook groups is a fantastic idea (and may also help her when job seeking-she can as well as the usual sites, also ask around in those) excellent shout!