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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:
rainbowstardrops · 25/06/2024 13:56

I feel for both of you! I can't imagine having a guest in my house for that long but I can't imagine splitting up from my partner whilst being hundreds of miles away from home.
He sounds a decent sort though and I hope he enjoys the change of scenery and you enjoy having your house to yourself again!

LetoMotherOfApollo · 25/06/2024 22:27

Oh no, better not, he might offer to house sit! 😂

Sweetenuf · 26/06/2024 00:12

Good update. I’m glad he’s moving on! and Scotland’s lovely - he’ll enjoy it :)

ScrumpleDumplin · 27/06/2024 05:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

FenT · 27/06/2024 18:01

He is taking the piss!
where does he originate from? Surely he has a home to go to?
you need to sit down with him and your partner and let him know that you need your house back now and to be out by end of month. Good luck but boundaries are boundaries x

Shittification · 27/06/2024 18:22

FenT · 27/06/2024 18:01

He is taking the piss!
where does he originate from? Surely he has a home to go to?
you need to sit down with him and your partner and let him know that you need your house back now and to be out by end of month. Good luck but boundaries are boundaries x

@FenT
Maybe you need to read the OPs updates from 2 days ago. It's all sorted, he's moved on.

LetoMotherOfApollo · 27/06/2024 21:19

Yeiii! 👏🏻👏🏻
thank you for your update. I kept checking! 😂
well that’s wonderful how it all worked out. Well done!!

Justanotherusernameagain · 29/06/2024 17:43

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.)

You need to be strong here. I made the mistake of not being strong and saying no to a houseguest who ended up staying 2 months and then again twice more the same year for a total of 4 months out of the first year of owning my own home. You need to be strong and clear or it will end up worse!

Shittification · 29/06/2024 17:49

You need to be strong and clear or it will end up worse!

@Justanotherusernameagain read the updates, he's long gone.

Wwr · 29/06/2024 18:01

I would tell him that you have other friends coming to stay and you need his room

TillyMSF · 29/06/2024 18:22

He may have been counting on his ex to pay for some or all of his vacation. That's not your fault. I don't know how to drop hints to him or if he'll even pay attention to them.

Tell him he needs to leave. No reason to give. It's enough to say it. It's very difficult to do so but it won't get any better. He needs to start being an adult and paying his own way. You're not his parent.

You never know if his ex dumped him for being a moocher. It may have been part of the issue.

TillyMSF · 29/06/2024 18:27

Part Two - I've been in your shoes and I've learned the hard way. It is painful and awkward. There's nothing to feel shame for this happening, however. Some people are just like this. I tend to re-evaluate friendships after these incidents to protect myself.

Good luck and hope you can have the house back to yourselves soon!!

TheSunnyShark · 29/06/2024 18:38

Tell him to buck up pack up and go home

Laurmolonlabe · 29/06/2024 18:41

TBH I'd probably lie, because this is a very awkward situation-which could continue for weeks or months. I would say I'm afraid we have family coming to stay and I need the room so you need to make plans now and be out by next week. Being depressed is one thing-but if this is a vacation then he should be contributing, as anywhere else would expect him to pay,he needs a deadline so he can snap out of it and move on-literally and emotionally. Don't feel bad about it , you will be doing him a favour- Americans very rarely mooch about and don't work, it 's a very bad sign, he needs a push.

Milliemoo6 · 29/06/2024 18:46

You're not being unreasonable in wanting your space again but I don't know why you wouldn't just talk to your friend about this instead of a load of strangers?

Scouserz · 29/06/2024 18:54

It seems like your friend is showing his true colours, and he is obviously using you because he knows you are a nice person. He should have some self respect and realise that he has overstayed his welcome. Seriously any normal person would of asked you if they could stay longer before the initial two weeks was over. People are not always how them seem and if your friend respected you then he would of asked you first. Sometimes in life you just have to bite the bullet and do what you know is right and you know what you need to do. I am not sure of your friends age but i would guess he is young maybe in his 20s. Sometimes the younger ones are where the problems normally come from.

Egavi · 29/06/2024 18:57

Just tell him to get the fck out. He’s no friend if he’s not offering anything positive to your life.

HisHororable · 29/06/2024 19:07

I've had the same problem. If you agree to let someone come over because they have no place to stay, they'll love why some people think it's the people who aren't criminals instead, for a while. But, just like with making people you loan money to pay you back, eventually you'll ruin how good the good people actually are, for the couch surfers also. Just start wanting to know more about who made the wrong choice in that relationship, all the time. Hah.
👪

MariaLuna · 29/06/2024 19:34

People going to conferences for work have it all paid for. Flights, accomodation etc.

You're being had.

Great opportunity for you to reinforce your boundaries.

LazyGewl · 29/06/2024 19:55

I know this is a bit cowardly and unfair but seeing as he isn’t your partner’s friend could your partner ask him to go?

susanb4 · 29/06/2024 20:21

My feeling is that you shouldn't lie or make up excuses. People like that just seem to be able to manipulate that sort of response and you are involved in more and more lies. Just be straight and keep to what you want to achieve. Remember that you do not owe him any more hospitality.

Susu54 · 29/06/2024 20:23

You must be completely honest and straight with him
Tell him it is inconvenient to have additional guests staying and that you now feel he should be moving on by the end of the week. Give a definite date.

Ilikeadrink14 · 29/06/2024 21:31

What is up with people? For days after this situation was sorted, people are STILL writing in with advice, mostly repeating what had already been said by several people!
My advice is, read the f…..g thread in full before boring us all with out of date advice!

Edwardo73 · 29/06/2024 22:04

House guests are like fish, they go off after about a week. Sounds like poor boundaries to me, I feel, when, because and what I’d like is!

HR517 · 29/06/2024 22:13

Awkward. House swap for a week or two?

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