Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
rookiemere · 23/06/2024 21:22

Thing is the friendship is irrevocably changed regardless if he stays or goes. If you rip the plaster off now "John we've hosted you for three weeks, we've realised we need our own space back, so I'm going to need you to leave by the end of this week." then he might feel aggrieved- but shouldn't as he has had free board and lodging for quite some time - versus you let him stay and get progressively more wound up by your moocher parasite.

LoveCherryTree · 23/06/2024 21:42

Is his name Percy by any chance?
sounds so familiar!

SammyTales · 23/06/2024 21:55

So... At the risk of a pile on. Your poor friend (again, friend...) has totally had the rug pulled out from under him. You say he's clearly gutted at being dumped and he's suddenly without a plan. I'm not suggesting you let him stay indefinitely, and I don't think he's being very gracious inviting other people to stay, but I also don't think he's quite the spawn of Beelzebub others are making him out to be. He just a bit flattened and lost. Plus, surely if he was about to go around Europe, then you would have let him use the washing machine regardless before he went? What were you going to make your friend (again, friend) do? Drag his stuff past your machine to go to the laundrette! Just sit him down and nicely explain that you can't really accommodate a longer term house guest, but why not give him a deadline of another week to get himself together. Even better, why not ask around and see if there's another mate who needs a few quid who he could rent a spare room off till he gets back on his feet? He might not fancy being a solo traveler, he might even be a bit scared. Or he might want to be near people he knows. Give him the benefit of the doubt and treat him gently. After all, he didn't plan this either, and he is supposed to be your friend...

QueenMegan · 23/06/2024 22:05

Encourage him to continue travelling through Europe he will have a better time single.
Give him a pep talk to not waste his time and say in the nicest possible way we need our room back.

Isinglass20 · 23/06/2024 22:23

OP thought he was a friend. He’s revealed himself to be a dosser and free loader and not her friend. A writer my foot.
He probably has a load of female friends with whom he stays and then he makes up a sob story about a romantic break up to play on her sympathy and exploit her feelings to make her feel guilty.
Dont worry. He won’t be a solo traveller. He’ll move on to his next victim.
And on no account allow him to bring his friends. You don’t know who they are and OP would be putting herself in a really dangerous situation.

retirementrocks · 23/06/2024 22:44

He's so taking the piss! You sound to be a very nice person but he is taking advantage of your kindness. Bite the bullet and tell him he has until (deadline at your discretion) to find some where to go.

Copperoliverbear · 23/06/2024 23:27

Tell him you know you said you were only stay a few weeks, well I have another friend coming to stay in ten days so I'm not being rude, but you will have to leave in seven days so I have a few days to prepare for them, as I wasn't expecting you to still be here.

Icebreaker911 · 24/06/2024 00:13

Tell him your boss (& his wife/ husband/partner ?) has sprung a visit on you & it's important to your promotion - so you will need the room 😉

beergiggles · 24/06/2024 00:31

Icebreaker911 · 24/06/2024 00:13

Tell him your boss (& his wife/ husband/partner ?) has sprung a visit on you & it's important to your promotion - so you will need the room 😉

He'll be ready with various ruses to try & stay in the house though, so be ready to shut them all down!

IngridPrice · 24/06/2024 01:43

Could say don’t mean to sound mean or anything or pushy but.. we have a problem, say some relatives are wanting to come and visit, but you’re not going to have the room or the resources to fit everyone in unless he and his friend, Whatever? Make alternative arrangements? Suggest that they have dropped their bombshell on you at the last minute like some do just said they are coming in a couple of weeks 😱
that gives him plenty time to figure out where he’s going next and book what ever he needs. Just remember to ensure your all on the same page about the relatives dropping in on an unexpected family visit when you tell him.

T1Dmama · 24/06/2024 02:13

Get a friend to call you and have a telephone conversation within ear shot of u wanted guest talking about friend and her kids come if for a stay soon… be all ‘oh yes of course, looking forward to seeing you’…. Then get off phone and say ‘oh shit I’d forgotten… so sorry but I’m going to need you room! Would you like me help you book a flight back to America?!

GoneFishingToday · 24/06/2024 02:23

OP have you told him it's time to move on yet, and if not, why not?

LiesDoNotBecomeUs · 24/06/2024 09:08

agree about honest chat:
‘I know you said that your plans are up in the air… well that is fine until x date but then you need to move on from here.
It has been lovely to have you a little longer than planned.
Do you need to chat through your solo trip to Europe or advice on airb&b in this one? ‘

FedUPFTMum · 25/06/2024 09:05

I had a cousin come over and stay he was absolutely lovely, a good cook and helped out. 2 weeks turned to a month and a half and stumbled into his room to find a bin bag of wine bottles and a saucer with a rolled up 20 pound note. I walked back out Homer Simpson style and when he came back I asked what the plan was as “my Nan and his least favourite Aunty renowned disciplinarian and Christian were coming to stay the next week”.😏 In 2 days the room was packed up and tidy and he was off! It’s time for a family with young children to come stay with you OP. 😂

Goodtogossip · 25/06/2024 11:24

Sit him down & explain that you thought his visit was for a couple of weeks max & that you have arranged for another friend to visit next week so he needs to make alternative arrangements of where he can stay. Say you're sorry his relationship has ended & you'll be there for him if he needs to chat & you'll support him if you can.

MadzG1471 · 25/06/2024 11:28

SammyTales · 23/06/2024 21:55

So... At the risk of a pile on. Your poor friend (again, friend...) has totally had the rug pulled out from under him. You say he's clearly gutted at being dumped and he's suddenly without a plan. I'm not suggesting you let him stay indefinitely, and I don't think he's being very gracious inviting other people to stay, but I also don't think he's quite the spawn of Beelzebub others are making him out to be. He just a bit flattened and lost. Plus, surely if he was about to go around Europe, then you would have let him use the washing machine regardless before he went? What were you going to make your friend (again, friend) do? Drag his stuff past your machine to go to the laundrette! Just sit him down and nicely explain that you can't really accommodate a longer term house guest, but why not give him a deadline of another week to get himself together. Even better, why not ask around and see if there's another mate who needs a few quid who he could rent a spare room off till he gets back on his feet? He might not fancy being a solo traveler, he might even be a bit scared. Or he might want to be near people he knows. Give him the benefit of the doubt and treat him gently. After all, he didn't plan this either, and he is supposed to be your friend...

I agree about my friend being a decent person who is just very upset. The reason I mentioned the laundry was just as an illustrative example of how I felt that our guest had quickly turned into a lodger without us realising. He didn't ask if he could use the washing machine, he just started doing so. And he'd do annoying stuff like washing only a few items of clothing at a time, which seems wasteful. If I was staying with someone I'd probs ask if it would be ok for me to use the washing machine, and also if there was anything of theirs that needed doing too.

The lack of a gift grated, as I would always bring a nice bottle or two if I was staying with friends for a weekend or even just a dinner party, let alone being put up for almost a month. Doesn't have to be expensive, it's the gesture that counts. I don't want to sound transactional; that is obviously not why you have friends to stay. But you also don't want to feel that your hospitality and efforts to accommodate them have gone unappreciated.

Some people have asked whether he offered to make a contribution towards household expenses. Not explicitly, although he offered to take us both out for dinner one evening, my partner wasn't around, but he took me and it was really nice.

OP posts:
MadzG1471 · 25/06/2024 11:40

Update: I spoke to my friend directly and explained that we would need the room back in a few days as we have other guests coming. He was perfectly nice about this, sorted out his sheets and left the room looking spick and span. He's now gone off to stay with some friends in Scotland, followed by a solo trip to Paris. We gave him a list of bistro recommendations and sent him on his way. When the moment came, I felt rather guilty turfing him out but perhaps the change of scenery will be good for him. And it is nice to have the run of the house again.

He did ask to return for a couple of days in mid-July before his flight back to America but I can live with that as it'll be a) nice to hear about his travels and b) we agreed a very specific timeframe, involving a concrete return flight home. Hopefully I won't need to trouble Mumsnet for advice on this again. Thank you to everyone who replied with their invaluable advice and (probably correct) diagnosis of doormat tendencies.

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 25/06/2024 11:54

Good to hear you sorted it OP.

Silvers11 · 25/06/2024 12:00

So pleased to read your update @MadzG1471 . It'll be better for him spending time with Friends in Scotland and then heading off to Paris solo. Must be hard for him, but these things happen, and doing a wee bit travelling will probably help him to not focus on the breakup totally

NightOwlEarlyBird · 25/06/2024 12:19

LOL, I was right! Montmartre was calling his name. 😂

Seriously, OP, well done for speaking to him. I tend to be very conflict avoidant and would have found it a difficult conversation, but it sounds like he took it well. It must be nice to have your house back!

TheSixQuarks · 25/06/2024 12:27

Love a happy update. Enjoy the peace OP.

Mummyoflittledragon · 25/06/2024 12:42

That is excellent news. Enjoy your alone time!

SkylarkDay · 25/06/2024 13:17

Good news! You probably did him a good turn anyway forcing him out into the world again after his girlfriend disappointment. He might even meet someone else on his travels which he wouldn’t have done sitting in your spare room!! 😀

Springwatch123 · 25/06/2024 13:20

Well done. Looks like you gave him the push he needed to move on, both literally and metaphorically.

BruFord · 25/06/2024 13:33

Well done, OP, you handled it really well and happily, it turns out that he’s a decent bloke, just a bit lost after being dumped. His travel plans sound ideal, tbh, a change of scene may help him to move on from what’s happened.