AIBU to not let in laws use my villa for free in peak season?

[dilwithvil]

I have a villa in Europe by the beach that I own independently of my husband. It’s effectively a high-end Airbnb in a very popular area and is usually fully booked from mid May until late September. It’s one of my income streams (I’m a SAHM but I manage several investments/assets, and this is part of my income). My husband also earns a very good salary, for full context, but all of “my spending” (coffee with a friend, make up, clothes, dentist) is paid by me from this income. I earn more than my husband.

My in-laws would like to use the villa for a week in peak season for free. My view is that peak season is when the villa earns money. If I block out a week for them, I’m not just “sharing a holiday home”, I’m giving up a week’s rental income.

I’ve said they’re very welcome to use it either in low season, when bookings are much quieter, or at very short notice if a peak-season booking unexpectedly cancels (which almost never happens).

They’re unhappy with this because they want to be able to plan a holiday well in advance, and they don’t want to go in low season because the weather is less reliable. Even if they paid half the market rate this is more than they would usually pay for a holiday, so they don’t want to pay that either.

For context, my parents do occasionally use the villa in peak season. The villa ultimately came from my side of the family (family money/early inheritance), so I don’t really see that as the same thing. Without them, there wouldn’t be a villa in the first place.

Also, while I get on reasonably well with my in-laws, I wouldn’t choose to holiday with them for a week or two, so inviting them while we’re there isn’t really something I want to do either.

AIBU for saying that if they want to use it in peak season, they should either pay the market rate (or even half), or go in low season? Or should family simply be allowed to use it for free regardless of the income I’d be giving up?

Well that's easy just say it's fully booked in high season. Surely everything is booked by now anyway?

The OP has made it clear in her posts as to the why.

No evidence that they aren't well off, only that they aren't as well off as OP, which doesn't necessarily make them breadline.
The only evidence we have is that they think OP charges too much for her villa, except as it is always booked, there are clearly plenty who will pay full price. My money is on the ILs actually being tight themselves.

compromise is already to give them access in peak season, how much more compromise do you want!

In current economic climate, I honestly think it’s totally ridiculous of your IL’s to even wonder to themselves they should have this for free!!
Now if they were going to put in a new bathroom suite, redecorate or etc., then it possibly could be considered?
I wouldn’t give a second thought.
Isn’t it hot enough here currently, to have an exotic holiday 🤪.

I agree with you, OP.

This is your employment, so in gifting a week to anyone you are giving up part of your 'salary', which is what allows you to be a SAHM.

I think it's irrelevant what you would spend that week's rental income on, it's still YOUR income!

Your parents effectively gave you the villa, so of course they stay for free.

You and your DH have separate finances.

He is presumably very happy that he doesn't have to subsidise you being a SAHM, which he benefits from hugely.
He pays £0 childcare costs, and £0 of your day-to-day and fun money costs.

Does HE expect you to give his parents a free peak week?

Why does HE refuse to subsidise HIS parents holiday himself, instead of expecting you to fund it?

Does he contribute £1000/£2000 to YOUR parents' finances?
No, I thought not.

That's the crux of it for me.

brilliant

Tight people never change so she will just ignore any posts on here telling her she’s in the wrong. A completely pointless exercise asking for the opinion of others as tight people can only ever see things from their own tight arse perspective. The husband will remember this forever.

I think it’s a bit tight tbh as it doesn’t sound like you need the money. Family is family in my world but maybe you don’t see your in-laws as such.

How can DH afford to stump up the cost of the freebie if he’s paying all the bills?

Tbh, I don’t think this thread is real so not sure why I’m engaging!

I think you are all being unreasonable.
Your in laws now seem to be in some sort of stubborn battle of wills to not go in non peak and not pay a contributory amount.
You seem resentful that they should even want to go. Let alone at a discounted rate.
So you are all unreasonable.

I doubt it’s real.

Mmm, we're talking about people who normally choose to holiday in peak season, the dearest time of the year, and who don't feel the need to accept a free villa holiday in May. I consider my household to be doing quite well and I'd bite your arm off for that!

She freely admits the money isn't going to be saved for her future, it's going to be spent on luxury experiences and goods.

She also says:

Where does the extra money go, if I don’t spend it on bills?
my savings, more investments. Ultimately my children’s inheritance

So many posters picking and choosing OP’s words to suit their narrative.

it's TIGHT to give a free holiday stay to people? Seriously? 😂

Because the CF want to put conditions on the gift they are getting?

Wow, the sense of entitlement on here is unbelievable 😂

Ask them if they'd work a week for free. No they wouldn't. They pay or don't go. Its simple.

Is everyone missing the fact that despite a larger income than her DH that OP isn't financially conributing in any meaningful way to the joint family living expenses.

If I was her DH, I'd not be prepared to keep financially subbing her whilst she's being so ungenerous to his parents.

If she paid her fair share to the household finances, I suspect that would pay for a holiday for the in laws ten times over.

I think OP is financially abusive, actually. Not fair for her to hoard all her wealth whilst expecting her less well off DH to cover all her living costs.

All the posters saying its “mean” - would you all hand over a couple of weeks’ peak wages to your in laws for no better reason than they want it?

That is what the OP is being asked to do - to hand over a couple of weeks’ income.

What she spends that income on is irrelevant, its still one person demanding another’s income for a week or two.

You sound mean..

Those are often the most fun ones!

I would reiterate to them that this is your income and peak season bookings contribute to the majority of this.

You happy to offer a 50% discount but need at least the other half paid for in order that your own bills are paid, and that’s the best you can offer. I’d also press them to make a quick decision as you have other interested parties at full price (even if you don’t I wouldn’t let this rumble on).

I think then you’ve been very fair and generous. Your family paid for the villa in the first place so it’s entirely reasonable they don’t pay to holiday there for a week.

YABU

You, as a couple, are wealthy.
Your in laws are not.

It doesn't matter how you and your DH split your finances, ultimately the overall pot is what your family has available to spend. You are tight.

She has an income which she describes as large, which is totally separate to the income generated by the villa. She absolutely can afford it. I don't think "protecting her income for the sake of the kids" applies here. She was given the villa, she got it for free. She's extremely lucky and privileged.

As I said in my previous post, I let my MIL stay in my brand new house, totally free of charge, some 12 or so years ago. Didn't take a penny from her. Not all of us are hypocrites.

No. We are following the OPs own narrative.

We have no other information to go on.

We are following what we see as her decision making process and her financial priorities.

Cheeky fuckers. If you let them do it once they will expect you to let them use it again for free on other occasions. Tell them to foxtrot oscar.