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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask guests to pay for air con?

168 replies

rubbergloots · 29/12/2024 10:59

We live on a tropical island. Electricity is very very expensive here. The house has floor and ceiling fans which we run. In addition to this, there is also air con in the bedrooms. We never use it as it’s fine with the fans.

It would cost about £15 a night to keep the aircon on in one bedroom. We have guests coming to stay from the UK. AIBU to ask them to pay for air con if they want to use it?

We aren’t charging them to stay in our villa of course. They are not close friends. They have probably saved about £1,000 over the week they are staying here with free accommodation. We are also happy to pay for the maid to clean their room etc.

OP posts:
confusedlots · 29/12/2024 11:03

No of course you can't ask them to pay for air con. You can say to them that you don't normally use it, but if they're uncomfortable without it then you would need to put it on.

Summerbay23 · 29/12/2024 11:03

YANBU but it would have been better to mention that additional cost at the point they were deciding to come (you make it sound as if they have already booked flights etc?). If things are still at the planning stage then yes, just let them know the extra costs.

OhhYoureSpikey · 29/12/2024 11:04

I think that’s fine, do pre warn them though.
We had a holiday in Corfu and had to pay extra per night to have the aircon on, we hadn’t realised it would be extra, but had no issue paying once we knew.

Moveoverdarlin · 29/12/2024 11:04

I think it’s cheeky to ask them now. I would have sorted this from the outset. You should have said, ‘We are not charging you for use of the villa. But we ask for a small payment of £200. It just covers the price of the air-con which is super expensive, the maid and some cleaning costs. My bank details are XYZ.

GretchenWienersHair · 29/12/2024 11:06

I’m just jealous that you live on a tropical island.

KezzaMucklowe · 29/12/2024 11:06

I'd usually scoff at charging guests for staying but this sounds really expensive so I don't think you'd be unreasonable to ask for a donation.
Especially if they're not close....would they return the favour and host you for a week or so.....?

TwentyTwentyFive · 29/12/2024 11:06

The visit sounds like it is currently happening? I think it's pretty cheeky to charge them without warning them in advance.

Fiery30 · 29/12/2024 11:07

If they are your guests, surely it has been mutually decided they will stay over. So why has this become an issue now? It's very inhospitable to ask guests for money. I have never done so neither have I been asked to pay. Usually guests repay in their own litte ways, such as helping out in the house or paying for a meal etc.

Original poster
rubbergloots · 29/12/2024 11:08

No they’re coming next week. Alternatively, I could just say the aircon is broken!

OP posts:
MellowCritic · 29/12/2024 11:08

Op if it was me I wouldn't have ppl over if there's an issue with anyone using the facilities, and that's not a dig at you.. you make a good point, and 15 pounds a night per room is obviously not cheap. If they have invited themselves I would just say it's not in use and you've turned it off completely due to the unaffordable expense. A reasonable person would understand.

RedHelenB · 29/12/2024 11:10

rubbergloots · 29/12/2024 11:08

No they’re coming next week. Alternatively, I could just say the aircon is broken!

Or not be so tight. They're guests, surely you want them to feel comfortable and to sleep well. What's the point if even having air con if it's nit going to be used?

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 29/12/2024 11:10

My parents used to just cover the cost for family staying in their house in Spain. They've had to start charging for the aircon use as it has got so expensive.

I think it's reasonable, but you need to discuss it in advance.

mewkins · 29/12/2024 11:12

It's fine. They don't have to use it and therefore don't have to pay.

Doggymummar · 29/12/2024 11:15

Are you there, as in do you live in the house and they are staying with you? If so then no I don't think you can charge them. If it's your holiday home you let them have free and would otherwise have been rented or empty then yes, charge them.

Pinkissmart · 29/12/2024 11:15

Surely they don’t need to have it on all night if it is used?
Are you staying in the house too?

ueberlin2030 · 29/12/2024 11:17

confusedlots · 29/12/2024 11:03

No of course you can't ask them to pay for air con. You can say to them that you don't normally use it, but if they're uncomfortable without it then you would need to put it on.

It sounds like a good deal they're getting already - of course OP can tell them how much AC costs and ask for a contrubution.

Kitkatcatflap · 29/12/2024 11:17

At this late stage, I wouldn't bother with the requesting a charge. It would be too awkward. However, as they are not close friends, I would send a message saying they the air con is broken and if this is a problem you could recommend alternative accommodation.

Rowaround · 29/12/2024 11:20

I would have no problem asking/being asked. Of course they should be ok with paying it. They are getting free accommodation. Just say now. You can put it as a request and say... Electricity is so high we normally don't put the ac on. Can you either leave it off or pay the daily cost of arrive £15 a day. I find it bonkers that people are suggesting they get a hotel rather than pay a small amount a night

CoastalCalm · 29/12/2024 11:22

Can you not just disable it and explain it’s due to the high cost of running ?

DDivaStar · 29/12/2024 11:23

Absolutely understandable to ask but this shoukd have been discussed when the stat was arranged not a week before they arrive !

Next just say we charge a nominal fee of '£X a week to cover, electric, air con and cleaning.

saltandvinegarchipsticks · 29/12/2024 11:25

I wouldn’t lie that it was broken, but I’d tell them “we don’t use the air con because of the cost” and that gives them an opening to offer to pay if they do want to use it.

IMBCRound2 · 29/12/2024 11:28

I asked this about heating (friend wanting it at 23+ twenty four hours a day for the entire visit ) - and people literally accused me of abusing my child. Pop your hard hat on 😂.

TheSandgroper · 29/12/2024 11:29

Are you expecting them to have it on ‘cool’ or ‘dry’? Dry is much cheaper to run and in a humid climate perhaps all that’s needed.

You might consider setting a limit on how cool they might set the temperature. 24-25 degrees I find quite comfortable with a draught.

SometimesCalmPerson · 29/12/2024 11:29

What sort of guests are they? If it’s friends that aren’t part of your nearest and dearest group and they’re there more for a cheap holiday than to spend time with you, then it’s fine to charge them. Just be clear about it now.

If it’s people who would go anywhere in the world to visit you and wouldn’t otherwise want to go to your island, then it should be easy enough to be honest with them and they would offer to contribute or be sparing with the air con.

TheCourseOfTheRiverChanged · 29/12/2024 11:32

rubbergloots · 29/12/2024 11:08

No they’re coming next week. Alternatively, I could just say the aircon is broken!

Are you joking?
If not, I think you need to get in touch with them now and tell them you can't afford to host them, and how much their contribution will be.
I've travelled in the tropics and while fans have been perfect some nights I couldn't have slept at other times of year without air con. It would be hell to be holidaying for a week without sleep because I hadn't budgeted properly. They need to know what costs to expect.