Rent own home as a holiday home for a week-WWYD?

[Devonsent19]

We are going away on holiday next week. My best friend’s family (who I’ve never met) were coming to the area for a week’s holiday (2 adults a 3yr old & a baby) but they’ve been let down with their (free) accommodation. My friend has asked if they could stay at my house while we’re away and said they have offered to pay. I don’t know what to charge. Our house is a modern 3 bedroom right on the beach with spectacular sea views in a family resort in Devon. I lost a lot of money this year due to lockdown and, as my friend says, I could make a bit of money while helping her family out. I’ve been on Airbnb and houses like mine rent for £300-£500 a night! What would be a fair price to charge?

I just came on here to post 'no don't do it!' as I was worried about issues like fire or injury where you wouldn't be covered. Best outcome for sure.

Dodged a bullet. I wouldn't have done it either, all those personal belongings to put away or lock away, having to give strangers access to all my fancy kitchen wear and appliances, hiding my tatty undies and personal files.
I can think of 1000 reasons why I wouldn't.

No, just no.

The problem is that people expect a different standard if they're paying to stay - it would be such a lot of work for you.

Apart from anything else, if anything goes remotely tits up with all the tests etc you may not get onto your flights and holiday at all. Has happened to three separate groups/friends/family of mine in the past 24 hours. So what would you do if you have to turn around from the airport and drive home... where a happy holidaymaking family are just getting nicely settled into the first bottle of wine? Horrid for you, horrid for them.

@MrsFin

I'd let them stay for free but ask them to pay for a cleaner before and after they come. Maybe also £100 for utilities bills - although I'll be they'll be out of the house most of the time and only use it for sleeping. You could ask them to bring their own bedding and towels so you don't have excess laundry etc. But, God forbid, should they be a fire or flood or something, you don't be insured if they are paying you.

Ha would you really allow strangers to stay for free in your house when you go away? Brilliant.

That's convenient though that your friend's family needed somewhere to stay for the exact week you happened to be away..