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Holiday cottage stress/relatives/friends cost ahhhhhhh

7 replies

nostress · 18/04/2014 17:35

Stick with me..
DF bought a cottage in the 70s. He couldn't afford to do it up so it was finally made habitable by end of 90s. He bought it for family use but pretty much I'm the only one who uses it out of 4 DC. Others maybe use it for a weekend once every few years. Its in Cornwall. DF basically ended up letting all his friends stay for free whenever they wanted. He 'retired' mid 00's but carried on working as he needed the money. SO I said to DP he should charge people to stay as it costs him £3K ish a year to keep it going. He initially said no as he was too embarrassed to ask people for cash. Eventually I took over running the cottage so that I could ask people to pay. Initially I charged £150/week (going rate for similar cottage in village £700/week. Then because people started to complain that others had not left it clean I had to employ a cleaner which was £72/week (I know absolute piss take agency for a 2 bed house). Now I've finally settled on £300/week (so less than half price than others in village). Basically none of his friends go anymore because the don't want to pay but its booked up for 11weeks this summer by my friends who all pay.

So here's the question DF best friend went to the cottage last year. He didn't pay the money into the joint account and instead told me that he would 'give the money to your dad'. Well he didn't or at least my dad has no memory of it (he could of forgotten). I've said to his friend that he needs to pay direct into the joint bank account as that's where the bills are paid from. He wants to go this year but for only two nights. This is a massive arse as it costs the same to have someone to strip beds clean house for 2 nights as 7. How much should I charge him?? It will basically costs us £72 to clean/change beds. But he'd be using electricity etc. But that's a lot for 2 nights! I feel guilty but it is costing us money!

OP posts:
LIZS · 18/04/2014 17:41

How about £100 for the 2 nights. It is less than a third of a week but as you say the fixed costs are the same. Still not much more than a Travelodge.

Floralnomad · 18/04/2014 17:52

I'd charge £150 as you are obviously not going to be able to let it to anyone else that week . Now that you're employing the cleaner why not just let it generally at the proper rate rather than just for friends ,that way it might start making some money for your dad.

Northernlurker · 18/04/2014 17:57

I would charge £100 for two nights and then cheer when he decides not to go and you can let it for what is STILL a bargain rate. We all know he didn't pay a penny last year don't we?

nostress · 18/04/2014 18:03

Well I had someone in last weekend for 4 nights and I charged £150 (was a work colleague of my dad who has never stayed there before). Its the next bank holiday weekend (may) but hes only going fri/sat night. He could stay til Monday. No one else wants it that weekend.

My Dad is not that comfortable with 'strangers' going but this year I've widened it to friends of friends and they are all really grateful!

I don't understand why I'm feeling guilty! Ok I'm going to say £100.

OP posts:
winkywinkybumbum · 25/04/2014 22:37

I don't suppose it's vacant half term week is it?

Kissmequick123 · 30/04/2014 06:35

110 if its ok accommodation (not rough) but tell him that it costs 80 (or what ever it is) to clean/change beds. Explain that it costs thousands to run a year so need payment this month. Tell him that your Dad has asked for all payments to go through you as he he doesn't want to deal with it. Then badger him next month onwards to pay if he hasn't

isitsnowingyet · 30/04/2014 06:39

I think you need a new cleaner

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