Rules/Expectations for House Guests

Do you have rules or expectations for house guests?

For example, if someone stays at your place for a week (or two weeks, etc.), do you expect them to contribute in some way?

How about behavior? Any restrictions for married couples?

Do you enjoy having house guests?

In the past when I've had house (apartment) guests, I'd make sure to stock with up the fridge including snacks. I do this because I've been a house guest where there was no food in the fridge. I also do not expect any form of payment, however it would be nice if they gave me a small gift or paid for a meal. I expect basic cleanliness and consideration. I haven't had married couple guests, but personally I wouldn't want them to be sexual in my home. I don't want that level of intimacy from someone else in my home.

All the house guests I ever had have been polite, almost too self effacing for their own good. Biggest problem I ever had out of a house guest was, not being able to leave dishes sitting in the sink. "Step away from the sink (seoulsearch)!"

I hope I would not invite somebody in my home that does anything that requires a rule against it. If this does come to pass, I will make rules as needed.

So in my defense...

I was raised to be helpful. I've found that doing dishes is a simple way to help that always needs to be done, and (USUALLY) won't cause offense. Unfortunately, it appears I am wrong.

I stayed with some other CC friends another time and it got to a point where a family member actually stood guard in the kitchen, trying to make sure I didn't get access to the dirty dishes. They later gently explained to me that they have a system, and my "trying to help" was interrupting the flow. So, I had to find other ways to help that wouldn't intrude.

Right now I don't really have the space, but could house someone in an emergency -- depending on the situation -- and if need be, would set necessary conditions.

One of my number one rules for house guests from now on, is they have to take a shower at least once every other day. I personally am a hypocrite when it comes to that rule but once, we had a guest stay over a week, who didn’t shower or brush their teeth once and I can smell them across the living room.

Rule #1: They have to take a shower every other day.

Rule #2: They can’t sleep in their car in front of my house.

Rule #3: If they stay at my house past a month; they have to start paying for a half or a third of the mortgage, including a third of the electric bill, gas bill, water bill and spectrum WiFi bill

Rule #4: They can’t park in the driveway. They must park on the street.

Rule #5: if they stay past a month; they need to buy their own fridge for food storage, due to the fact that we don’t have enough room in our current fridge’s for another person’s food, as well as keeping their dry food near their sleeping area, cause we don’t have any room in the pantry or kitchen for anyone else.

Rule #6: no long showers; no long bathroom time period. There is only one bathroom in this house and there is already two adults and one teenager living here.

Rule #7: if they smoke cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, vape; smoke them in the backyard, not the front yard, and when you are done, make sure to dip the butt end in water and throw it in the trash. I do not want to see cigarette butts in the back or front yard.

Rule #8 no alcoholic beverages, no marijuana, no hallucinogenic drugs, no illegal drugs or hookah, in or around this house or this neighborhood.

Rule #9 Don’t invite anyone over, except for a family member. Friends are not allowed in the house or in the back or front yards.

Rule #10: Pick a day a week to do your laundry and stick with that day, every week.

Is this beginning to sound like the Torah? Lol

Is it too strict?

I think many of these rules are good. I wouldn't charge half of rent and bills though for a few months. They would have more of a claim to make up their own rules for the house, since they are contributing more. For longer terms whom I am not charging (have not had this situation), I would still limit them to their place and make give them a shelf in the kitchen cabinet and maybe half a shelf or a shelf in the fridge. Like I wouldn't want them to lounge around in my place all the time, even if we are great friends as I would still want my own privacy. If I were a long term guest I would keep myself busy outside and limit myself to my space in the home.

Do you have rules or expectations for house guests?

For example, if someone stays at your place for a week (or two weeks, etc.), do you expect them to contribute in some way?

How about behavior? Any restrictions for married couples?

Do you enjoy having house guests?

In the past when I've had house (apartment) guests, I'd make sure to stock with up the fridge including snacks. I do this because I've been a house guest where there was no food in the fridge. I also do not expect any form of payment, however it would be nice if they gave me a small gift or paid for a meal. I expect basic cleanliness and consideration. I haven't had married couple guests, but personally I wouldn't want them to be sexual in my home. I don't want that level of intimacy from someone else in my home.

i certainly do! my 1st rule is NO communicative devices, electronic equipment or cameras! no contribution to stay a week or 2. married couples can make all the love they want, after all, they are married. i don't really go for house guests, it's limited to a select few.

No cell phones either?