Real-life MMD: Should I charge my sister's colleague for bed & board?

kerri_dfw

When I stayed at my parents for 2 days of work I took them out for a really nice meal which came to one nights stay in a hotel, albeit £95. But this is standard practice for my work expenses might not be for others.

RuthnJasper

Yes. It'd still be cheaper than staying in a B&B for a week. Of course, if the colleague had any class, they'd have already offered...;)

mr-tom_2

My employer ran a great scheme whereby they would cover any reasonable restaurant receipt as a thank you to the friends and family for avoiding a hotel bill.

I say "ran", the scheme fell victim to an unimaginative HR droid who could only see the costs, not the savings.

judy7340

Wait for your sister's colleague to give you some contribution, e.g. food shopping, and if she doesn't volunteer anything or give you a suitable gift, speak to your sister. I think it would be quite embarrassing to come outright and ask her for money or even for your sister to do this. She will probably do some of the food shopping and get you a gift. This should be enough, and if you weren't comfortable with that, you shouldn't have offered to host!

craftydevil

It does strain the relationship by your sister asking to put up a another person at your place - most certainly ask for a contribution and suggest what that should be so you both know where you stand before she arrives.

sarah_loobylou

Most company Travel and Expense policies have an expense policy to cover Friends and Family accommodation - our company pays £50 per night! Though it's subject to tax & NI unlike hotel bills etc.

Charge them both. They will be able to claim back. if they can't, the colleague can stay at a local hotel and claim that back!!

iclayt

How do you know this colleague won't turn up with a carrier bag full of food for herself for the week and ask you how you'd like the room and board paying, cash or BACS? I know I would...

Rather than let this worry you and eat away at you, communicate, tell your sister that you would appreciate it if her colleague contributed to your increased household costs for the week. Just because you're not a hotel it doesn't mean you should treat someone you don't even know to a free week's lodging. If they don't like it, direct them to a travelodge.

JayD

It may well feel awkward but I think that you should speak to your sister privately first and explain to her that you are happy to provide her with free bed and board but that you don't think it fair to expect you to support her colleague that way too. Ask her to have a word with him on your behalf and tell her the amount you would like him/her to contribute. Make it clear that you expect a reasonable contribution - nothing extortionate but nevertheless something that will clearly cover the xtra expense it will put you to.

KenMo

As you incur extra expense, definitely YES you should ask for a contribution. As someone else said, 'they're both earning', and in addition will probably be able to book expenses.
Surely its a no-brainer?

gloriouslyhappy

MSE_Debs wrote: »

Money Moral Dilemma: Should I charge my sister's colleague for bed & board?

My sister's got a week's work near where I live, so I've invited her to stay with me, completely free. But she's asked if one of her colleagues can stay too. Not wanting to disappoint, I agreed. Bed and board for two is going to cost a fair amount and while I'm happy to cover it for my sister, I'm not so happy about shelling out for her colleague. Should I ask her colleague for a contribution to the cost or would that be awkward for all involved?

I don't think it will be too awkward to ask for a contribution from your sister's colleague, just be upfront about it, don't beat around the bush. Probably better to get it over with quickly, ring your sister to confirm arrival arrangements etc, then use the opportunity to say something like' By the way, I'm not expecting a huge contribution from your colleague, just a reasonable amount to cover expenses' and if she doesn't respond positively, then ask her just what she had in mind when she invited her colleague along too.

But as others have posted, she's probably already considered all this, and she and her friend will either turn up with shopping bags, or pay the bill for your grocery shop or a few nice dinners when they get there.

However, if it's bothering you, and I suppose it is as you've asked advice on this forum, then I strongly suggest you bring it up sooner rather than later, so everybody knows where they stand and you can relax and enjoy your sister's visit.