To say no to this??

[Yesornono]

Basically we own a property in the Lake District (uk) which we use throughout the year (we co own with BIL&SIL) and they obvs use it too. We used to let friends use it for a minimal fee but to be honest it was being abused (mostly by BILS friends) so we put an end to it.

A good friend of mine is doing a charity fundraiser (an auction of sorts) and has asked would we give the property over for a week as one of the prizes. I didn’t answer there and then I just said I would have to double check with BIL/SIL but if I’m being honest I already know that my answer is no. I just don’t want the hassle of someone I don’t know using it 🙈 and I don’t want to set a precedent now as such. AIBU??

Ethel, I get where you're coming from, I'd dearly love to live in the village where I grew up, but I have a family and my 4 bed detached in the north would get me only a 1 bed cottage in Somerset, Dorset or Devon. (Even assuming I could find a job there) Most of the houses in the area are holiday homes and the prices are fucking ridiculous.

However, OP, it's your and your family's property and seriously the fact you would have no control over who won the prize is a perfectly valid reason to say no, even without the concerns over insurance.

@Yesornono Honestly, I would never buy a second home either as a holiday home or to generate income.

You may not believe this but I genuinely and strongly believe that homes are to be lived in and no-one should have more than one home, especially when some don't have one at all.
I responded initially because I think it's selfish that you won't let someone use your holiday home to benefit a charity.

For those that have taken the piss or thought I am trolling, I really don't care. My conscience is clear that I've never contributed to depriving someone else of a home.

@Poloshot That remark was offensive & completely uncalled for.

Thanks @Poloshot, I'll take that as a huge compliment (and ignore your use of the word cretin). Don't want to be accused of being politically correct too.

@Kirk1 I'm sorry you aren't able to live where you want to. I'm very aware of the issues in the South West and it's awful.

Couldn't care less mothership

In response to the OP, use your second home however you see fit, and keep it for your family to enjoy.

@Ethel80 that is your opinion and how you feel. But each to their own, we paid ample tax and stamp duty when purchasing the property, we pay council tax , house insurance etc etc on that property and our main home.And if we ever sell the property in the Lake District we will pay capital gains tax etc so we are actually putting a lot more into the country so therefore I think it’s only fair we choose to do with our money what we wish!

I hate how some people are so generous offering things that aren't even theirs! What a cheek.

No. And if you have any doubts on this decision search the Mexican house thief thread in classics :-)

We had a villa and we did rent it out and also offer a week for a charity auction but my sister was chief fund raiser. There was no major issues.

However, we lent it to a friend who was down on his luck and had no where to stay. We even paid his flight to get out there, we said we wanted no rent but if he could do some DIY to get it ready for the rental season. He totally abused our trust, put stuff on our account, broke the lock, ruined towels an linens by not washing them with soap powder and using the towels to sit on the lawn. Had noisy sex with all the windows open (we later was told by neighbours). It cost us £1000 s to put right. He didn’t leave when asked and we couldn’t get the villa ready in time for the next guests.. We have since sold but never again.

I had a colleague who did this. The guests used the woodturner, which my colleague had specifically said they could not use because it was summer. They burnt the house down. They didn't even apologise afterwards let alone offer to contribute towards the costs their damage caused.

wood burner not woodturner.

@Genevieva 😮 omg that is awful!!

Yup! It was one of those beautiful old, mostly wooden chalets in the alps, so it was basically destroyed. He is (was as retired now) a teacher in an international school so this second home was actually the only property he and his wife owned and the one they planned to retire to. Truly appalling.

We used to lend it to friends, but even they couldn't be trusted to leave it as they found it so there is no way we would let strangers in. Anyway, it would invalidate our insurance.
If you want to, you could donate a bottle or two of wine to add to their prizes but this is in no way compulsory.

To put a slightly different slant on this we won a weeks holiday accommodation in a charity raffle many years ago, although it was for a local charity and dh knew one of the owners which possibly makes it different to total strangers.

We had a lovely time and were very respectful and left it as we found it :)

Not a wind up - don't do swaps either

Property is theft, innit.

I would just say no.

And if asked why not, I would ask if they would give up their own family home for a week to strangers. I would imagine they would also say no.