Guest staying free - house rules?

firely2327

Apologies firstly if this is the incorrect forum, not at all sure where to put this but this seemed like the most logical!!!! (you'll see why)



Right, I'm essentially seeking advice please folks. A few weeks ago at work a colleague emailed around asking whether anyone had a spare room for a few days/week in July for a visiting student from South America. They're attending a conference and due to lack of funding needed to find a free room to stay in for the duration. As I have a spare furnished room I've offered it, indicating that I live in a vegetarian household and have animals, just to be clear on things.


Now however I'm starting to worry/stress about this arrangement, based on past experience with a family member, and the unknown involving a complete stranger. Questions/worries are as follows:


1. would I be expected to give them a key to my home for the duration? I am very uncomfortable with this idea, not for my personal belongings but for the safety of my animals. I'd prefer to be there when others are in my home in case they're doing something they shouldn't, e.g. leaving doors open so cats can get out. Does this seem like an unreasonable worry?
2. Should I be expected to provide all meals for the guest, and do laundry for them? I draw the line at the laundry, no way. Plus I'm not cooking meat and in fact prohibit anyone from bringing raw meat into the place. It makes me physically ill to see it and the cooking smells from it last for days.
3. What else should I be aware of/haven't thought of?


I know this may seem like I'm stressing over nothing but I've had a very bad experience with a family member in the past who came to visit. I had to kick him out as he got verbally abusive over the meat issue while we were in public (on the street - he'd bought and cooked raw meat despite his knowledge of me being vegetarian) and was on the verge of being physically abusive too, hence the reason I took drastic action (running away and chucking his bag out). I don't regret it, even though he's been very cold with me since. So, if you can't trust your own family...... I know I know, why did I offer in the first place right?

Exile_geordie

Your house - you set the rules for them now. Tell them this and if they don't agree they don't stay.

missbiggles1

I think giving them access to the kitchen with a no meat rule is perfectly reasonable - there's no reason for you to cook for them or to supply them with food nor to do their laundry for them. You could also say something like "no access to the property between 8 and 6" (or whatever your working hours are) but it will be more complicated at weekends.

If your hot water supply is limited then you might need to say something about the use of that and also times for access to the bathroom (unless you have more than one).

Don't overthink this because of one bad experience - most people are perfectly civilised and will respect your property and lifestyle.

El_Torro

I think the rules you propose sound reasonable, especially since they're not paying you anything to stay there. Also since they're only staying a week it doesn't sound like it'll be too much strain on your guest.

If you don't want to wash their clothes or cook them meals then be clear from the start to avoid misunderstandings. They may or may not expect this.

martinthebandit

Email your colleague with your concerns or to ask him what is expected etc?

firely2327

El_Torro wrote: »

If you don't want to wash their clothes or cook them meals then be clear from the start to avoid misunderstandings. They may or may not expect this.

Yes, I've stayed with friends and relatives many times and have never once expected them to do laundry for me. However I've had it expected of me once by a guest that was staying for three days. They expected me to put on a colour load in the machine to wash their boxers!!! Yes, funny now but seriously, at the time I thought !!!!!!! And it wasn't asked, it was "you'll have to do a colour load coz....". :mad:

A. not touching your boxers, ugh
B. you can wash them by hand - doesn't require a machine
C. do you not have enough boxers that you could bring enough for three days..... Should have bought them some for Christmas. :rotfl:

maninthestreet

What if he has zika?

donnac2558

maninthestreet wrote: »

What if he has zika?

Why do you think she is going to have sex with him?

Practice being a idiot do you?

firely2327

guest is a female

kingfisherblue

I think I would lay down a couple of extra ground rules, such as expecting her to clean the bathroom and kitchen after use, not using the landline, and no loud music. Your other house rules are perfectly reasonable to me.

Bobcrowther

If it's going to cause you that much stress, why offer in the first place?
Withdraw your offer, simple.