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?

She does. She contributed the property they live in - that's a pretty hefty contribution

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).

I've only read your OP (sorry, probs v annoying) but the only acceptable answer to the above is: 'thank you very much, that is really kind of you".

I'm not sure why there are pages of yes/buts or explanations!

*But I don't understand why she doesn't also contribute to the family budget.+

Why does that matter when it has nothing to do with OP allowing her in-laws to use her villa during peak season?

Her in-laws are not entitled to use her villa. She gave them options which she doesn’t have to do because again it is HER villa, HER income stream and they don’t like it and want to use her property when they want to.

I think she is being pretty kind to let them use it in the first place since they think they are entitled to do so and entitled to be stroppy about her terms.

The way they are going about it, I would have said sorry, all booked up and left it at that than continuing to engage with them.

They could just go on a holiday they could afford like the rest of us. I go during low seasons October/November and March because that is what I can afford and have had lovely times with no weather issues. I wouldn’t dare expect or think I’m entitled to try to make someone allow me to use their property when it is their income stream, especially a SAHP.

This is OP’s only stream of income. She invests it. Same as how I invest every pay period at my job. For my retirement. By them asking for a free week over the peak season, they are asking for OP’s retirement fund contribution. I wouldn’t be pleased if my ILs made a case to my DH as to why they felt entitled to my next pension contribution, and that I should forgo it; instead handing them the cash.

They don’t even want to go to that town; the rental car and taxi situation is a hinderance to them—something that they will tolerate for a freebie.

She says he has a good income and given he doesn't pay for a mortgage or childcare presumably could pay if he wanted to. I am not saying that he should btw but if they ask anyone it should be their own son.

I got bored with all the 'let them' posts, so haven't read all.

We have a luxury villa, 6 bed ensuites, pool etc. On an upscale Greek island. Nobody can afford it at market rate, but then they don't ask.

Peak season is where you earn from this kind of property - that has expenses to be paid all year round - so farming it out to family is very much a one off gift.

YANBU OP. it is your peak earning time. You offered them off season, they should accept it or not ask, and definitely not expect. They can holiday elsewhere..

We do book a week, but that is for everyone. The all year round maintenance, staff salaries and taxes mean that any family member expecting a free week would massively eat into profits.

It is wonderful some of you are so kind and giving. In the real world, however...

Or a wedding photographer who has 12 peak Saturday slots per year. MIL wants one for free—“only” 1/12th of the peak income lost.

Where did I say they were poor? It has nothing to do with money and everything to do with helping family. I would never charge my family for using my villa. Ever. Her family does get it from free so don't understand your point.

@Two2TooAlsoToToward she’s admitted she out earns her high earning DH, don’t think she has money worries

I don’t have money worries either; still wouldn’t be pleased if my ILs made a case to my DH about why they’re more entitled to my investment money than I am.

Have you got a pre nup @dilwithvil ?

So you let all your family take free weeks across the high and peak seasons?

What’s your total annual rental income and what’s the peak season rate?
What % of that goes on annual taxes, staff pay and maintenance?

Huh? The OP is financially secure and in her world (not the imaginary one you have made up and described for me) yeah I would let them. A free week in peak season. Yes.

I would suggest your husband pays for them rather than you. I think it’s a bit unfair that you let your parents come but not his, but he should cover costs not you.

Is this to me?

If so you said you never charge your family for using your villa?

Her family gave it to her though and it is a source of income for her. Why should
her in laws get some of that income? If they really can't afford a holiday they should ask their son if he would pay for one.

This thread is bonkers. I'm sure that many of the people commenting have no idea about the expenses of running a holiday property - in the same way that loads of the comments on threads about flying/airports are made by people who have never been to an airport/abroad in their lives.

We used to own holiday rentals. A week in summer in the biggest one would be upwards of £1000. Ooooh, lovely, a grand a week for 6 weeks in the summer. That's 6K "extra" money.

Err, no. The house needs to be fully cleaned before people arrive. All the beds changed. Garden tidied. Bins emptied, recycling disposed of. Make sure everything is working (dishwasher/TV etc) Not really acceptable for people to arrive and tell them "Sorry, the dishwasher is broken but we can't get someone out until Wednesday". Find 2 broken sunloungers/parasols - again not acceptable to say "oh well, you'll have to make do" Hot weather, so the aircon would be running 24/7.

All of the above things cost money, and you pay a premium to get them dealt with "instantly". We had a pool - they do not run for free (far from it) even if everything is working as it should. God forbid needing a new part (from 30 miles away) in a 2 hour window before the next set of guests arrive.

Internet goes down on day 3 - it needs sorting ASAP not "we'll sort it out when you leave"

The costs of cleaning, laundry, miscellaneous replacements - mugs, glasses etc all come out of that £1000, plus utility bills, tourist taxes, taxes, general wear and tear.

That £1000 very quickly dwindles to a few hundred.

If OP were to forgo the £1000 income and let her in laws stay for a week for free, the above costs would still be there so she would, effectively, be letting her in laws stay for free and still incurring al the running costs.

All of the "be kind, they're faaaamily" posters - would you take a weeks unpaid leave because your in laws "wanted you to help them do x y z" at a specific time of year when you could easily do the same x y z in time that you already had available and wouldn't impact on your income?

OP perfectly illustrates why many people think that landlords are money grubbing …

This

I disagree. I think the thread shows how many people think they are entitled to a family member’s income and property even when said family member has given them options but entitled family members have to have what they want anyway regardless.

I hope that all of those who think OP should give her in-laws a free peak holiday are also giving their in-laws a few grand in cash every year out of their own wages to make sure they can have a fancy villa holiday.

If you haven't already make sure you go home tonight and transfer 2 weeks wages to your in-laws to make sure they don't miss out. If you don't you really are a group of ungracious, selfish individuals who are just all about the cash and we all judge you heavily.

Presumably all this had been taken into consideration when they stated the following,

Yes I absolutely can afford to let them use it for free in the sense that, after tax etc that week will “cost” me perhaps a new outfit and several dinners out with friends.

I am on the fence however were I your DH I would be pissed off with your different treatment of my parents vs. yours.

Maybe the in laws should buy them a house then.

This is the part that I'm a bit aghast at, that people seem to think this is a normal thing to do that everybody should do, otherwise they're selfish. Add to that that you have already offered £1k fun money and been told it's not enough. I really don't know a single person IRL who would do this. MNers must be a generous bunch happily giving away thousands to people who ask for it, and decline smaller amounts!

Meanwhile, in the real world, people use holiday lets of friends and family members when offered/invited, during off peak times, and at a time when it is little to no financial loss to the owner (and offer to contribute!).