Top tips for how to handle a long-term house guest
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by: bythesea
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Word Count: 455
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 Time: 11:18 PM
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Every now and again somebody we care about is in need of assistance and we're in a position to help them out. One common way in which we can help out when times are tough is by offering them a place to stay - whether that's in the short- or long-term. If you find yourself in a situation where you plan to extend your hospitality to a friend or family member for a prolonged period of time then it's a good idea to set out some ground rules from the off.
It might feel strange to ask your guest to adhere to house rules when they're clearly so close to you, but it really will save you from potentially embarrassing situations further down the line. If they know right from the outset what is expected of them during their stay then there will be no need to give them a dressing down a few weeks in when they haven't been pulling their weight through no fault of their own.
If you'd like your visitor to help out with bills and/or housework then it's important that you come to an agreement before they arrive. Many people feel that they don't want to impose such rules early on but then come to resent their guest later on when they feel they aren't contributing - don't make the same mistake.
The other important issue is to find out early on how long your guest intends to stay for. If you live with a partner then having one of your friends to stay over the long-term can put a strain on the relationship, so it's vital that you decide on a period of time that everybody is happy with. This way you'll also avoid the situation that many people find themselves in, where your house guest has stayed well beyond their welcome but you can't find the right way to bring it up with them.
Making things work with a long-term house guest isn't just down to your visitor, though. If you're going to open your house to them, you might as well do it properly -- and there are many simple things you can do to make them feel welcome. Little touches like clearing them their own shelf in the fridge and ensuring that you provide meals that they also enjoy rather than expecting them to fit in around your particular tastes can go a long way to making the transition a smooth one.
It's also imperative that you contact your house insurance provider if you're going to be taking on a long-term house guest as it may well mean that you need to make an adjustment to your policy in order to reflect your new circumstances.
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Mon, 20 Feb 2012 at 4:32 PM, by
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