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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Houseguest who won't leave

293 replies

MadzG1471 · 22/06/2024 15:41

I am getting quite annoyed with a houseguest who just won't leave. This is a friend from America, who was planning to be in the UK for a few weeks this summer. I offered him a room at my partner's and my home. We initially spoke – in admittedly quite vague terms – about him staying for two weeks at the beginning of June, after which he was going off on European trips with his girlfriend. It sounded very much like I was going to see a fair bit of them but they wouldn't be here all the time.
However, while he was staying with us, his girlfriend broke up with him and their summer plans fell through. It's now been over three weeks. Although he doesn't expect to be fed and watered, and is self-sufficient, he often mooches around the house and has shown no sign of leaving. He has started doing his laundry in the washing machine. Today I asked when he was planning to go and he said that he felt guilty for imposing on us but mentioned that his summer plans were up in the air because of the break-up and didn't offer a specific date. I feel too awkward to ask him again. He is a writer whose work can be done anywhere, so I worry that this is turning into an open-ended thing and we now have not a guest but a lodger we didn't ask for.
I am trying to be as nice as I can and feel guilty turfing out a friend who is very unhappy about this break-up. He is obviously heartbroken and depressed. But I am getting increasingly vexed with his presence and that he hasn't offered to help in other ways, e.g. with chores, buying groceries etc. He didn't bring a thank-you gift which I was surprised by. There was also a couple of days where he asked if a friend could stay over, who we put in the guest-room. Again, I feel like I didn't sign up for this! There is talk of further visitors in the middle of next month (!) It's all so hideously awkward.
AIBU, and how on earth do I get him to leave without being mean? (And also creating bad blood with a friend who I do like, in spite of my increasing passive-aggression towards him.)

OP posts:
feathermucker · 22/06/2024 15:43

Just be honest and say it's time for him to go and that you want your house back to yourselves. He's playing on your kindness now. Presuming he has enough funds, he can make plans now to go in the next few days.

Don't beat about the bush, just straight talking.

Dearover · 22/06/2024 15:44

Haven't you got a couple of other house guests coming to stay in a few days?

mbosnz · 22/06/2024 15:45

I'd be upfront with him.

Something along the lines of how sorry I am that his relationship broke up, and his plans went up in smoke, but everyone's lives go on, and unfortunately you need him to be making tracks, so you can get on with yours. It was lovely to see him, sad about the circumstances, but now he needs to make plans for his accommodation and entertainment that do not include you and your home. Can he please plan to be out in two nights time.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/06/2024 15:45

I guess you either say 'I hate to say this, but we're going to need a definite date for you leaving' (which I don't think I could bring myself to do), or you invent a reason for needing his room ('I know we said you could stay for a couple of weeks, and that was because the ILs or other rellies, are coming for a visit in the middle of the month, so can we help you make plans for onward travel?').
I live in fear of having someone come to stay and not leave, so you have my sympathy (plus I'm a wuss about telling people to leave).

MonsteraMama · 22/06/2024 15:45

You need to just address it head on, he's taking the absolute piss out of you and treating your home like a free B&B.

No dropping hints or vague conversations, firmly let him know that you were under the impression he was staying for two weeks and while you're very sorry his relationship has ended, that doesn't mean your hospitality becomes infinite - you want your home back, you are no longer in a position to host him and would like him to make other arrangements for lodging by [date]. I'd give him no more than a week, and a hard "absolutely fucking not" to having any more of his mates round.

It's your house. Who gives a fuck if you offend him, he's being unbelievably rude and presumptuous.

keeptryinggirl · 22/06/2024 15:45

your poor partner
not even his friend!

HuevoRanchero · 22/06/2024 15:45

You just need to be up front. ‘Friend, it’s awkward because I know you’re unhappy about the break-up, but while we’ve enjoyed having you here, the arrangement was for you to use our house as a base for a fortnight, not for the whole summer. We’re going to need you to move on. We have other people coming to stay and want a bit of a break from houseguests in between.’

You need to deal with it as if it goes on open-endedly and you simmer with resentment, you’ll end up exploding at it, and the friendship will suffer far more than if you just explain.

Chamomileteaplease · 22/06/2024 15:46

Remind yourself that his plans and arrangements are not your problem. They are his to sort out. He is a grown adult.

So he feels guilty but won't change his behaviour?! Charming.

Have it in your head that you are allowed your home back.

Speak to him asap. Give him three days to leave. Give him a date he needs to leave on.

Hopefully someone on here will have a great sentence for you to say to him!

"Jack, it's been great having you, but we really need our house back now. I would like to get a leaving date sorted for you and was thinking about the 25th, what do you think?" Do not let him suggest a later date, say oh no the 25th would be the latest I'm afraid.

Something like that?!

PossumintheHouse · 22/06/2024 15:47

He's actually talking of inviting further guests in the middle of next month!? WTF no! Cheeky fuckery of the highest order.
You've been more than generous already. If I were feeling kind, I'd sit him down and give him a deadline to find another accommodation or head on home - perhaps until the end of the months or two weeks. I'd also be asking for a contribution towards the bills.

HuevoRanchero · 22/06/2024 15:47

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/06/2024 15:45

I guess you either say 'I hate to say this, but we're going to need a definite date for you leaving' (which I don't think I could bring myself to do), or you invent a reason for needing his room ('I know we said you could stay for a couple of weeks, and that was because the ILs or other rellies, are coming for a visit in the middle of the month, so can we help you make plans for onward travel?').
I live in fear of having someone come to stay and not leave, so you have my sympathy (plus I'm a wuss about telling people to leave).

He’s already been there for three weeks, though — the OP has let him overstay the original arrangement, she’s not kicking him out early or anything.

PrueRamsay · 22/06/2024 15:48

I think the only solution here is for you to move house…

Or you could just tell him it’s not convenient for him to stay any longer. If he asks why, say it’s for personal reasons.

Bumblebeeinatree · 22/06/2024 15:50

When is he due to fly home? That at least gives a maximum time frame, or did he not book a return flight?

Allthehorsesintheworld · 22/06/2024 15:50

He’s inviting other people to stay in your home next month? Stuff that. You can’t just have random people dossing in your house.
Friend it’s been nice having you to stay, we need the room back by Friday. Maybe we can all meet up for a drink in the pub before you head back home.

Itiswhysofew · 22/06/2024 15:51

How long is he planning on being on this side of the world? How much of your things is he using/taking?

There's no way he should be inviting his friends to stay in your home. What an enormous CF.

If you're not prepared to be straight with him, you can tell him you need the spare rooms for your next visitors.

RuntoReno · 22/06/2024 15:51

He obviously isn’t worried about upsetting you or ruining your friendship. Why are you so worried when he isn’t?

pasturesgreen · 22/06/2024 15:51

So, time for a proper chat. Don't ask him when he's planning to go, as by now he's shown signs of getting himself settled in. Tell him it's been lovely to have him yada yada, but now he needs to go by x date. You need to present a united front with your partner.

And what fresh hell is this about his friends staying over? What's done is done, but do not entertain the idea of additional house guests next month! He needs to be long gone by the middle of next month, ideally he should be gone by end of June at the latest. Stay strong and don't be guilt tripped.

ByCupidStunt · 22/06/2024 15:53

Remind him that your original agreement was 2 weeks and it's now been 3 weeks so could he please stick to the original agreement.

Please don't lie. Lying's wrong🥺

sleekcat · 22/06/2024 15:53

Tell him to leave?
Make up some other house guests that are coming?
Suggest an Airbnb until the time he flies home?
Definitely don't let him bring friends over, let alone to stay.

KikiShaLeeBopDeBopBop · 22/06/2024 15:53

Am pretty sure you mentioned that you're having your new cannibus farm installed in the next few days and will need the room

PossumintheHouse · 22/06/2024 15:55

Also, thinking about it, are you sure he ever had a girlfriend, OP?

AlwaysGinPlease · 22/06/2024 15:55

I genuinely don't know how this happens to people! No really is a complete sentence. As is leave!

FluffyJellyCat · 22/06/2024 15:55

Is there something you have to do, somewhere you have to be or a friend who has stay very soon?

Listen Dave when I said you could stay the arrangement was for 2 weeks then you would be travelling. I know your plans have changed because of the sad breakup. But I had promised my sister / aunt / best mate to stay / getting painters in / flying out to New York joining the circus in two weeks. This feels very awkward and uncomfortable, but I'm going to need you out before then. Otherwise I'm going have to let people down/ incure extra costs / disown you. It's already been x weeks to be Frank I wasn't expecting to accommodate you for this long. It will run into my plans and if I had know you would still be here by x, I would have had to say no because those plans was important

Or.

I didn't know when I agreed to host you, it would be longer than the agreed two weeks. Can you arrange to go by x date as I do have plans which I can't accommodate you bring here for

Or

We are having a family gathering on Saturday can you find somewhere else before then I need the room back

Or

I was OK with the agrree two weeks but this needs to be wrapped up now.

Just say whatever you need to

MadzG1471 · 22/06/2024 15:58

Thank you for all the messages; an absolute gold-mine of advice! Time for a nice robust chat, I think.

OP posts:
Gooseysgirl · 22/06/2024 15:59

Yep time to give him his marching papers the cheeky feck!!!

gardenmusic · 22/06/2024 15:59

If the confrontation worries you, and in real life it is often difficult to confront someone who is taking advantage, you tell him that he has to be out on the 25th, because you have a lot of family coming to stay - for an unspecified time. All rooms will be taken.
A week is quite enough notice.
Keep it bright and breezy, his future plans are not your concern. Do not ask about them. Do not try to fix something up for him. If he tries with a sob story smile sweetly and tell him it's a shame. 'Oh dear, never mind.'
If he is not out on 25th, strip his bed, and move his things.

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