My house is not your vacation home

[cinmell]

My aunt and uncle had a vacation property they let their friends use for free. One time they were there, another family arrived and tried to throw my aunt and uncle out. One of the `friends´ had had copies of the keys made and was renting it out to people

WOW! I hope your aunt and uncle changed the locks!

 

[aprilgail2]

Would you feel differently if people asked if you rented your house out? Since it's your "vacation" or second home, maybe they think you will rent a week.

We (as in my Dad's side of the family) have a cottage on Lake Ossipee in NH that we actually NEED to rent out in the summer....we can't afford to keep it running without the rentals. NH taxes are really high, especially lake front property!

WOW! I hope your aunt and uncle changed the locks!

And changed friends!!!!

 

[MandM3]

WOW! I hope your aunt and uncle changed the locks!

And changed friends!!!!

Yes to both and they stopped lending it out. They were too nice to prosecute though. The man had a family they didn't want to hurt. I would not have been that nice

 

[merrily]

Barrington, which is a whole different world from New Jersey.

I've lived in NH most of my life. I have to say that I would never consider Barrington a "vacation destination". Is your house on Swain's Lake? Do people just want to use it as a base to visit New England in general? That said, I think Barrington is a lovely town (get some "snappy cheese" from Calef's) and I hope you enjoy your new home. Welcome to NH!

 

[pooh17]

Barrington, which is a whole different world from New Jersey.

I live in Barrington! Small world.

 

[happygirl]

It would drive me bonkers, some people feel like they have they right to do whatever they want.

I wuold get a sign out in your yard and say NO BORROWING ALLOWED

 

[lovemygoofy]

So far I have 8 weeks on my calendar reserved for people coming to "visit." I understand how you feel. I don't really mind people coming to "visit" because they come during the week and we couldn't realistically take off every time someone comes to visit anyways so we can visit at night and hear about their day or offer suggestions for touring the next day.

I don't really mind but sometimes it is a pain. Keeping the house clean, altering your routine, the extra expense of feeding others, extra utility and other expenses. I told my husband our next location is going to be nowheresville.

 

[babyrich]

JUST SAY NO! Just like the other posters said, when asked, say, we are not renting out the house. That statement shows that you are not lending your home or renting your home. I am sure they will get the hint.

Do not feel obligated to have company, even when you are there.

It is funny that when something good happens in your life, everyone around you thinks you have to share.

Have fun in your new home

 

[piglet50]

we say "we don't rent it our" to anyone who asks about staying at our beach house. funny how the rent it out part seems to do the trick.

 

[MIGrandma]

I understand where you're coming from. We don't have a vacation home, but we do own vacation property up north a bit and we've had people that we're not close to say "oh we'll have to come up!" Why would they even say that? We just don't say anything when someone says something like that, and so far we've not had to actually turn anyone down. But we didn't buy it for everyone and their brother to use. We bought it for us. And our immediate family. Others need not apply.

 

[tuckerkeys]

OP, we have a ski house in Londonderry VT. So far I have let 1 couple use it when we could not 1 weekend in December and it was a good experience with them. They even got us a gift cert. to our favorite restaurant for our kindness! They did not ask us to use it, I insisted they go.

I don't think there will be anyone else I do this with b/c I have heard horror stories and it seems as if we got lucky! We have 2 kids so I think this may be the reason people aren't chomping at the bit asking us to come up, I mean who wants to spend a weekend with a 2 and 7 year old {this came from my brother!}

I also don't trust people with things such as the heat and septic. There are rules with these things and someone who is over aggressive with either item can cause lot$ of damage!

 

[AprilShowers]

Well buy a camper and see who all comes out of the wood works and think that they can just " borrow it" for a weekend....just amazing.

NO KIDDING! What are people thinking? I know camping sounds & looks like a lot of fun, but people don't realize the time, energy & money spent in keeping your equipment maintained and working correctly. You don't just park it somewhere & "camp".
My camper IS my second home. I don't ask if I can borrow your home, NO you can't borrow mine!!! Go get your own stuff! lol

 

[auntie]

Well buy a camper and see who all comes out of the wood works and think that they can just " borrow it" for a weekend....just amazing.

OMG..Terri...I thought I was the only one who had relatives ask that question.
AND they think they can tow our 30 ft. slide out travel trailer with their car.

uhh..."I don't think so"..

 

[auntie]

we say "we don't rent it our" to anyone who asks about staying at our beach house. funny how the rent it out part seems to do the trick.

Exactly

My parents had a condo in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. My brother's who are avid skiers were wanting to use it, and my parents told them "we don't rent it out"... My brother's were shocked when they heard that.
Now, they were more than happy to have them join them when they were there. Only my brothers didn't want any part of that.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Exactly

My parents had a condo in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. My brother's who are avid skiers were wanting to use it, and my parents told them "we don't rent it out"... My brother's were shocked when they heard that.
Now, they were more than happy to have them join them when they were there. Only my brothers didn't want any part of that.

Your parents wouldn't let their own sons use their condo?

 

[auntie]

Your parents wouldn't let their own sons use their condo?

Nope... When they weren't sking...they were drinking. You can imagine what that lead to. It didn't take long before they were told
"it's our home".

 

[bettymae1121]

I have a slightly different opinion. I feel that it never hurts to ask, because the person I'm asking can always just say "no". If they say "no" then no hurt feelings on my part! If you don't ask, how do you know if the person will mind or not? If they really want to say "no" but fear hurting my feelings or whatever, and tell me "yes", how is that my fault?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Nope... When they weren't sking...they were drinking. You can imagine what that lead to. It didn't take long before they were told
"it's our home".

That is different - my house, my rules. Break them and you wear out your welcome...

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

We lend our vacation place out all of the time. So do our in laws, come to think of it. Maybe those people are accustomed to being friends with people like us. There isn't any harm in asking. You only have to say 'no."

 

[marthachick]

OMG..Terri...I thought I was the only one who had relatives ask that question.
AND they think they can tow our 30 ft. slide out travel trailer with their car.

uhh..."I don't think so"..

You mean you don't loan out your truck to pull your camper too??? What kind of friends ARE you???