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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To charge for electricity when lending house to neighbours?

124 replies

Frenchkippy · 16/12/2017 02:29

We will be away over Christmas period and neighbour has hinted that her house will be overflowing. We are happy to help her out in lending rooms to her guests but can we ask for contributions toward heating etc? Heating will need to be on for the two weeks that we are not there (when it would otherwise be switched off). Without sounding mean to neighbour how can we ask that they or their family pay for it?

OP posts:
Abra1d · 16/12/2017 11:48

Dominic! Of course we will help! Do you have any diamonds, hun ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Helena17 · 16/12/2017 11:52

I don't think it is a good idea to lend your house to people when they'd be staying for a week and you're not there to see things. You'd be trying to help them but in return you're putting great risk at your personal things and your house in general. I'm sure there are other places where they can stay.

LeNil · 16/12/2017 11:57

Slightly different but we lend our house to dh’s cousins every other Christmas. There’s about 9/10 that stay and a dog. I leave the house clean with beds made and ask for nothing. They leave the house spotless and a case of champagne, as well as feeding the cat and putting off any potential burglars.

I might be more reluctant to let strangers stay, but if you have a good relationship with your neighbors I would probably do it.

mirialis · 16/12/2017 12:01

If you trusted your neighbour's family enough to look after your DC, sure you can trust her family members enough not to trash your house.

Offer and say if your neighbour was ok to take on the extra laundry and cleaning, her family could use your bedrooms and bathrooms. If you phrase it like that then it's clear you'd prefer them not to be cooking there if you really don't want them to do that (though personally I would let them and don't get why there are so many people who are worried about it).

Branleuse · 16/12/2017 12:09

tbh, its wise to keep heating on at regular intervals in the house over that period anyway in case it freezes. If they already do you lots of favours I wouldnt charge them, but id ask that it was them that stayed at yours and not their guests

Goldfishshoals · 16/12/2017 12:11

I'm surprised people are so against this. I have several time stayed at my parents friends flat (that's a few doors down from my parents) when they were away.

It's wonderfully kind of them to offer, of course. But why wouldnt you do that for friends you trust?

I think it would be fair enough for the op to ask for costs when she offers.

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 16/12/2017 12:27

Ah reliable MN. If you want to lend your house to strangers, you're a reckless twat who hasn't thought of the consequences; if you don't, you're a selfish twat who DOESN'T KNOW THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.

If the OP had posted in the NY saying 'I lent my house for two weeks to people I don't know and had never met before, because my neighbours are nice. They nicked my silver and set fire to the kitchen. WIBU to have said yes?' I can just imagine the outpouring of 'oh don't worry OP! Of course you did the right thing! It's a shame, but hey. It was Christmas right?'

Not.

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 16/12/2017 12:29

That said, my mother and her friends in the village are always lending rooms and houses to each other for visiting family. They're quite rural, no hotels nearby and it seems to work out. In fact, some of my family are staying in one the village houses over Christmas, but they're not strangers and know each other well enough I suppose.

ButchyRestingFace · 16/12/2017 12:33

Not a chance would I consider doing this.

Especially not transacting money over it. I’d be afraid this laid some kind of health and safety responsibilities on me.

Skowvegas · 16/12/2017 13:15

Whenever I've done this I have not charged, but then my neighbours feed my cats when I go away so they've saved me a fortune over the years.

Never had any damage - always got the house back cleaner than I left it. Also the last family who stayed let us use their house in NY in return.

BTW in the US we don't spend buttons on heating, whoever said that, and we do know how phone bills work...

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/12/2017 13:39

Charge them for the upgrade in your insurance

I very much doubt insurers would cover damage by visitors if the householder isn't there; I've home exchanged for many holidays and they always exclude this

The difference with home swaps when it comes to trust is that, while they're in your house, you're also in theirs ... which wouldn't be the case here

It wouldn't bother me personally, but perhaps it's something for OP to bear in mind?

Fluffychickenmonkey · 16/12/2017 14:00

Errr I think that you should rethink turning off your heating in the middle of winter even if your are away

Ta1kinPeace · 16/12/2017 14:05

Do not ask for anything
and then they will leave the place immaculate and probably a nice gift.

Ask for money and they will treat it like a cheap hotel ...

It could invalidate your insurance or be against the terms of your mortgage to allow non-residents access to your house when you aren't there,
Piffle.
We've had friends staying in our house during holidays
and the people who feed our cats come and go
and we've let friends use the garden when we are away
all well within the insurance

apoppetonastring · 16/12/2017 14:09

Oooh no I wouldn't do that!

And as has been said, you will need to tell your insurance company, and maybe pay an additional amount of money, to change the premium for the period you are away (and they are in there!!!)

apoppetonastring · 16/12/2017 14:10

Well as a post above said, maybe it will make no difference to the insurance, but do check. Maybe ring your insurance company. I would never ever risk this!

Ta1kinPeace · 16/12/2017 14:12

And as has been said, you will need to tell your insurance company, and maybe pay an additional amount of money, to change the premium for the period you are away (and they are in there!!!)
Bollocks.

If the neighbour is coming in anyway to feed the cats
what difference does it make if they are using it for a few hours on either side

So many nasty paranoid people on this thread.

Incrediblehulky · 16/12/2017 14:59

This clearly isn't any old random neighbour, this is clearly a family that you have known for a number of years and have helped each other out in the past. I think it's very kind of you to offer your home in this way but I definitely wouldn't think about charging them to be honest unless you are going to be seriously out of pocket and will struggle as a result of it. This is just an assumption obviously but if your neighbours are also kind, decent people then they'll leave the house clean and tidy and wash and remake any beds used. I think charging money though is not really in the spirit of your kind offer to help a longstanding neighbour out. Good luck 😊

apoppetonastring · 16/12/2017 15:09

@Ta1kinPeace

There is no need to be so bloody rude and obnoxious. Hmm

You may wanna think about changing your username! It doesn't suit your posting style and attitude.

The OP would be very foolhardy to not check her insurance policy or with her insurance company.

Very foolish of you to tell her not to! Hmm

Rainbunny · 17/12/2017 01:53

Given the circumstances (kind neighbour feeding your cats, visitors known and trusted by you) I would be fine with the arrangement. Afterall, they will spend the lionshare of their time at your neighbour's house and probably just sleep, and shower at your's. There's also the bonus of your house remaining occupied over the holidays which will deter burglars. I would offer by saying you are happy to lend them your house if they don't mind covering the cost of electricity. I can't imagine anyone would get offended at that request.

UmmKultum · 17/12/2017 07:47

We often use a website which matches pet sitters with hosts, usually for free. We've done this a few times with strangers staying in our house. It's always worked out really well. We've saved loads on pet sitters or kennels and always come back to a well-kept house and happy pets. We don't like having strangers in our house but it's nothing to get too worked up about. I wouldn't ask for money if they're feeding the cats.

Stealthtoast · 17/12/2017 10:05

I can't believe how against this everyone is! we've lent our house to relatives of friends, and also borrowed a relative's friends flat. In both cases several nice presents were left, nothing trashed, beds stripped and everything cleaned. No payment, insurance, worry!

Dutch1e · 18/12/2017 19:59

Have you even seen the mess people make in places that are not their own, like hotels, Airbnb or even the gatecrashers that wreck a party venue.

No, have you? Unless you've actually lent/rent your house this is pure speculation isn't it.

londonrach · 18/12/2017 20:12

Check your insurance as this could invalidate it!

fifig87 · 18/12/2017 20:13

I'd offer the house. As someone else said regarding the heating and if there was a big freeze it would need to be on anyway.
I have actually volunteered mine for January for a neighbour's daughters birthday for the overflow. Have no problem doing this, all the older kids have babysat for me and are really sensible. Plus my neighbour will have them all warned.
To me they are always good to me like the rest of the neighbours so I like to give back how I can!

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