AIBU to think it's a bit cheeky to want our house (when we're not even in it)?

[Firstchoice333]

So, DH, the kids and I will be away soon, and some good friends of ours — who we've happily hosted when we're home — are visiting our city at the same time.
Instead of getting an AirBnb like normal humans, they've casually hinted that they could just "stay at ours" while we're away. You know, to "save a bit." 😬
DH is fine with it. Thinks it's no big deal. I, on the other hand, am firmly in the "strangers in my pants drawer" camp. Not that they'd snoop, but still — it just feels off. I’d never even think of asking to stay in a friend's home without them there. Have I turned into a Victorian maiden aunt, or is this just a bit CF?
So, AIBU to find the whole idea a bit... much?
TL;DR: Friends want to stay in our house while we’re away. DH thinks it’s fine. I think it’s weird. Enlighten me.

Very good friends, I wouldn't mind at all, they wouldn't need to hint, I would offer. I would probably leave one room locked with anything very valuable, sentimental or private though, especially if they have dc, but other than that they would be welcome. The only thing i would expect is to come home to a clean house.

Our MiL has petsit at ours before and brought her sister for company a couple of times, and I'd let my mum do it, but I think that's about it.

I am a very private person, home is my safe space, I struggle with having people in it, but I don't think that's unreasonable.

As PPs have said - completely different if you’d offered, but extremely cheeky to ask! And they would definitely snoop!

Depends on the friend! The friends I would let stay are so generous they wouldn’t ask or if they did they would offer to pay us instead of a hotel - I would offer them beds in a heartbeat as they would do the same for me.

The friends who ask to stay to save money probably aren’t planning on paying towards utilities for them time and are probably the type who will turn up with a £5 box of chocolates if anything at all (ie takers). These types if I let stay I would likely directly ask for money towards utilities in advance.

A couple of close friends I’d say yes to without hesitation and they’d do the same for us. But that’s literally just our oldest friends who are like family and are godparents to our children. No way I’d want anyone else staying in our house while we weren’t there.

Don’t hold back. Say what you think🤣🤣

I wouldn’t agree to it. Too much hassle beforehand getting everything sorted, clean and tidy (not to mention the pants drawer worry). Just tell them sorry, no, it would worry you too much getting it respectable beforehand.

I do have to say that I have been living for some time in a big tourist destination where accomodation is very pricey and I've been contacted by people I haven't seen in many years who weren't friends about staying. There were even asks for my so and so will be in town, can you put them up. So if you think they're the kind of people that staying at yours might open the door to requests for free lodging for their relatives or friends, best to say no.

If they already had a plan in place to visit the city on those specific days, then surely they already have somewhere lined up to stay?

It doesn't add up to me. I think this was always the plan - find out when you're on holiday, say they were planning on visiting at the exact same time, hope to have your house for free.

I think it's fine. I think you're being weird about it. You say they are good friends, for God's sake!

When I was growing up we often used to swap houses with family friends so that we could go on holiday - was a good way to go on holiday with minimal expenditure. Personally I don't see the problem with it. This thread is making me realise that I shouldn't suggest the same idea to any of my friends though 😅

I'd be happy for good friends or family to have the run of my home if they were visiting where I live.

Oh Hell no

You don't even have to do this! Why are people so apologetic about things that they've every right to say!

"We don't feel comfortable doing that, so you'll have to get an Air B&B this time."

You can add that you'd be happy to host them next time they're around, if you are, but the bit in quotes really is enough!

You could offer this, if you’re comfortable to. I probably would.

not appropriate for them to ask, at all

Yes, who plans a trip without sorting accommodation. I expect if OP was going away a month later their trip would also be a month later. 🤔

Well you describe them as "good friends" - are they? Or are they people you are just somehow acquainted to but not fully comfortable with?

Anyone who I'd describe as a "good friend" I'd be happy to let stay in my house.

So cheeky! I'd be firmly in the no camp here unless it was an immediate family member! And I don't think they would even ask.

100 percent - My niece broke similar when she was here and the 1st thing her mother and father said to us was how much we owe you - will pay for it- Why do you think that's a bad thing ? If its broken you offer to pay simples
So what if he has "designer" cats - they need feeding and i presume that is one reason he agreed for you to stay

I don’t think it’s necessary unreasonable for them to ask as long as they accept a no if that’s your decision

Personal choice. I wouldn’t mind but I don’t think it’s unreasonable if you did mind.

I probably wouldn’t ask this but I would have offered. Assuming the people I trusted.

It might not bother me in general, but the fact that they asked, rather than be offered, hints to me of a forwardness that might spill into cf-ery. So it would be a no.

I did let someone I like very much stay for a few days for my pet.They left the morning before we got there (which was fine) but the gas knob hadn’t been switched off properly and the house stank of gas (with our pet in it 😞)

A hard no from me