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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:
sammyspoon · 22/06/2024 19:19

Ooh this post has made me think of 'The family upstairs' by Lisa Jewell.

Mummyoflittledragon · 22/06/2024 19:21

JuneShowers24 · 22/06/2024 17:50

I bet his GF couldn’t get rid of him either and that’s why she waited until he was elsewhere to dump him.

Quite possibly! I agree with others, give him a short deadline. He’s taking the mick now.

OhcantthInkofaname · 22/06/2024 19:26

Tell him you have another guest coming from America. I can be there with reasonable notice if you have an empty space.😁😁😁

Anniegetyourgun · 22/06/2024 19:26

If he's not travelling in Europe due to change of plans he should have all the money he saved up for accommodation that he can use for a nice UK guest house until his flight is due, right?

I wouldn't bother making up stories because, as a PP said, for any excuse you use he'll come up with a "helpful" solution until he has you quite worn down. Assertiveness courses will tell you to just do the broken record thing, repeating the same or similar phrases like you'd do with a toddler: "I need you to leave by x date", "you cannot stay after x date", "you need to make other arrangements as you cannot stay here" etc. The bottom line is you want him out and that's going to happen regardless of what arguments he presents. It's your house and he needs to stop squatting in it.

countcalculia · 22/06/2024 19:36

Checking in for update on robust chat. Please get him out.

Vettrianofan · 22/06/2024 19:40

Most Americans are direct - take a leaf out of their book. Ask him to get flights booked for home ASAP.

LizzieBennett73 · 22/06/2024 19:48

Just ask when his return flight is and what his plans are, he's had time since the break up to arrange other things. And make it very clear that while you're sympathetic, it's an invasion of your personal space and you really need a date when he will be leaving.

Bumblingbee101 · 22/06/2024 19:52

You have been sensitive to what has happened in his life. Maybe plan to do some things together with him so you both have some quality time and raise this with him that as you had only planned on an initial few weeks you did make other plans. Or say the above but the fact you've got in laws visiting or whoever. Is it possible that you can actually get someone to visit do he will truly get the memo? A tough one OP! X

worryworrysuperscurry · 22/06/2024 19:56

He's got a hide like a rhino so you need to be blunt with him. Give him a date by which he must leave. Don't listen to any excuses, and if he digs his heels in he is not a friend, and I would be prepared to ditch the friendship and change the locks.

MeridianB · 22/06/2024 19:58

You have already gone above and beyond by hosting him for three weeks and letting his friend stay. Time for him to leave asap.

I agree with everyone who has said he intends to stay for weeks more. I also think he is being a total CF doing this and expecting more friends to stay. So don’t feel bad!

He arrived empty-handed? Really? Has he bought any groceries? Cooked? Taken you and DP to dinner?

MavisPennies · 22/06/2024 20:03

Let us know how it goes OP!

HobbitDreader · 22/06/2024 20:19

Why are people suggesting she "ask" this guest things like when his flights are booked. That's not going to get you anywhere. I agree, tell him he has 3 days (or a week if you're feeling generous) and then you'll need your room back.

AutumnCrow · 22/06/2024 20:23

Well, my family from Yonder Land would say, 'Hey, you know you said you'd be here for a couple of weeks? Well that was fine, but it's stretching out a lot now, and you need to plan moving on in the next week. Do you need help with your ticket home or anything?' Focus on him and what he has got to do, not yourself and some made-up excuses. He won't understand excuses; he'll bat them away.

He's obviously still got his Europe money. He can change his flight or stay elsewhere.

Theoldbird · 22/06/2024 21:05

Tell him to get a hotel, he can afford to, he has his European trip fund. This would do my head in.

YerArseInParsley · 23/06/2024 04:02

BreatheAndFocus · 22/06/2024 18:41

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

Right, so he basically implied he was going to stay with you until his return date rather than travel in Europe? You then said nothing - which he probably took as implicit consent. Go back to him, say you didn’t want to mention it straight after his girlfriend troubles but he won’t be able to stay with you after X date as you have visitors. He presumably had money ready to spend in Europe so he can spend it in the U.K. on a hotel and/or travelling.

I voted YABU because if you didn’t want him there you should have said so, not seethed silently. He’s not psychic.

Correct, op probably said nothing. I can't believe the lack of back bone the op has. People still suggesting op say she has guests coming, tell him to leave etc, it's NEVER going to happen.

Calamitousness · 23/06/2024 04:09

I voted YABU because it’s your house. Speak up. Clearly. Give him a departure date. You can say anything you like. You have other guests coming to visit. You are going away with partner and house swapping. Or be clear and say guests are like fish and start to go off after three days so it’s time he left. Either way. Grow a pair and be pleasant but firm. This is not ok. I’m massively frustrated reading things like this on mumsnet. Just tell people NO.

CaliMZ · 23/06/2024 04:14

Calamitousness · 23/06/2024 04:09

I voted YABU because it’s your house. Speak up. Clearly. Give him a departure date. You can say anything you like. You have other guests coming to visit. You are going away with partner and house swapping. Or be clear and say guests are like fish and start to go off after three days so it’s time he left. Either way. Grow a pair and be pleasant but firm. This is not ok. I’m massively frustrated reading things like this on mumsnet. Just tell people NO.

Agree and same

MariaLuna · 23/06/2024 05:56

Jesus woman, grow a back bone!

keeptryinggirl · 23/06/2024 07:26

how do you manage to stand up straight without a spine OP?

betterangels · 23/06/2024 07:45

Calamitousness · 23/06/2024 04:09

I voted YABU because it’s your house. Speak up. Clearly. Give him a departure date. You can say anything you like. You have other guests coming to visit. You are going away with partner and house swapping. Or be clear and say guests are like fish and start to go off after three days so it’s time he left. Either way. Grow a pair and be pleasant but firm. This is not ok. I’m massively frustrated reading things like this on mumsnet. Just tell people NO.

Yes!

Needanewname42 · 23/06/2024 07:56

AutumnCrow · 22/06/2024 20:23

Well, my family from Yonder Land would say, 'Hey, you know you said you'd be here for a couple of weeks? Well that was fine, but it's stretching out a lot now, and you need to plan moving on in the next week. Do you need help with your ticket home or anything?' Focus on him and what he has got to do, not yourself and some made-up excuses. He won't understand excuses; he'll bat them away.

He's obviously still got his Europe money. He can change his flight or stay elsewhere.

Not sure where Yonderland is but I love their answer.
So many people worry about being polite and kind that they end up getting walked all over.

BucketBouquet · 23/06/2024 09:23

There is talk of further visitors in the middle of next month (!) It's all so hideously awkward.

I can’t understand how you didn’t say at this point, “Next month?! You’re not moving in, you know! You’ll be long gone by then!”

Shinyandnew1 · 23/06/2024 09:41

BucketBouquet · 23/06/2024 09:23

There is talk of further visitors in the middle of next month (!) It's all so hideously awkward.

I can’t understand how you didn’t say at this point, “Next month?! You’re not moving in, you know! You’ll be long gone by then!”

This!!

Putyoursunscreenon · 23/06/2024 09:44

CaliMZ · 23/06/2024 04:14

Agree and same

I also voted YABU because I cannot believe you aren't speaking up

Crankyfeminist · 23/06/2024 10:19

YABU because you're asking here, rather than actually talking to him.

He's not psychic - if you want him to leave, tell him in clear words. Don't hint, imply, or just hope he gets the message by you being stand-offish.