Woman charges sister and three kids $50 a night plus $100 cleaning fee to stay in her house for Christmas in response to their messy behavior: 'Just say no'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Dec 7, 2024 1:00 PM EST

Having your relatives stay with you is not always the most pleasant experience in the world, especially if they have kids. If you're anything like me, you value your space and privacy. You love your home and have worked to have it the way that you like it. Odds are, you probably don't take kindly to anyone coming in and disturbing your hard-earned peace. Some would say, though, that's what the holidays are for. You make sacrifices for the ones you love because you expect them to do the same for you. But what happens when boundaries get crossed? What recourse do you have as a homeowner and a family member?

That's what happened in this situation when a woman's family crossed too many of her lines. She decided to take action to prevent that in a pretty unconventional way. Read on for the story, and see why commenters were split. 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10437943808
    via Paige Cody

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story

  • 02
    AITA for charging my sister's family to stay in my house during Christmas?
    via u/DrWhineDilf
  • 03
    I (31F) recently bought my dream home after working hard for over a decade. It's a beautiful 4-bedroom place with a huge backyard and a pool. I'm single and live alone, but I love the extra space and use the rooms as an office, a guest room, and a gym.
    via u/DrWhineDilf
  • 04
    My sister (35F), her husband, and their three kids (7M, 5F, 3M) asked if they could stay at my place for Christmas. They live out of state and wanted to spend the holidays with our family without paying for a hotel. Initially, I was okay with it until I remembered the absolute chaos they bring wherever they go.
    via u/DrWhineDilf
  • 05
    They stayed with me for a weekend last year, and it was a disaster. The kids destroyed my sofa with markers and spilled juice on my rug, which I had to replace. My sister brushed it off, saying, "Kids are kids" and didn't offer to pay for the damage. Her husband barely helped with cleaning or watching the kids. I felt like a maid in my own house.
    via u/DrWhineDilf
  • 06
    So, this time, I told her they could stay but with conditions. I sent her a "house guest agreement" where they'd agree to: 1. Pay a $100 cleaning fee upfront. 2. Cover any damages immediately. 3. Pay $50 per night for utilities since heating and water costs spike in winter.
    via u/DrWhineDilf
  • 07
    I don't think this is unreasonable. I love my family, but I also want to protect my home and avoid unnecessary stress and a headache during the holidays. But she flipped out. She called me greedy and said I was treating my family like "Airbnb guests." She argued that it's the holiday season and I'm ruining the spirit of giving. Our parents are siding with her, saying I'm being ridiculous and cold-hearted.
    via u/DrWhineDilf
  • 08
    I argued that this is my house, and I'm not obligated to let them stay for free when I know they'll cause damage and stress and I'm sure they can afford it since they just spent thousands on a Disney trip. I'm only asking for a fraction of what a hotel would cost.
    via u/DrWhineDilf
  • 09
    Now the family is divided. My sister says I'm the ah_le for prioritizing my money over family. I think I'm being fair by setting boundaries, but maybe I've taken it too far? I don't know please help Edit: For those who want to know, I spent at least $500 to replace my sofa and rug after the kids damaged them last time, and my sister didn't offer to help with the cost
    via u/DrWhineDilf
  • 10
    pixie... • 11h ago Edited 10h ago • Top 1% Commenter NTA but it'd just be better if you said no. Regardless of how much money you charge the kids probably won't be any better behaved. The husband won't be any less lazy and neither of them will be better parents. You'll be on edge the whole time and they'll be resentful. They may even see payment of fees as giving them a free pass to be slobs.
    via u/pixie-ann
  • 11
    Better for them to stay with your parents or anyone else who is on their side (put your money and your peace and sanity where your mouth is folks) and you can enjoy your nice clean, undamaged home.
    via u/pixie-ann
  • 12
    FakinFunk 10h ago. • Just say no, dude. "Hey sis. While I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, I am reminded that last visit your kids caused significant monetary damage to several areas of my house. I just don't feel confident that you'll be able to prevent a repeat of that. I'd like to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings, so I'm going to pass on hosting your little ones till they're a little older and less rowdy."
    via u/FakinFunk
  • 13
    I mean, she's gonna be pissy whether you say no or present her with a contract that-come on- you definitely knew was going to piss her off. Just choose the easier option of "no" and move on.
    via u/FakinFunk
  • 14
    CreativeMadness99 · 11h ago . NTA but I think it's better to ask them to stay with your mom or an Airbnb. If they didn't respect your home before, they're not going to do it now.
    via u/CreativeMadness99
  • 15
    Secret_Sister_Sarah 11h ago • NTA • $50 a night plus $100 for cleaning is NOTHING compared to what they'd pay for an actual AirBnB. Stick to your guns on this one, otherwise they'll come in spilling and breaking without a care in the world for you or your property.
    via u/Secret_Sister_Sarah
  • 16
    Careless_Yoghurt_822 • 9h ago • I would have sent her the receipt for the damage the last time. She wouldn't have asked again or she would have paid up.
    via u/Careless_Yoghurt_822
  • 17
    chaingun_samurai 10h ago • Our parents are siding with her, saying I'm being ridiculous and cold- hearted. Tell your sister's family that your parents volunteered their house to stay at.
    via u/chaingun_samurai
  • 18
    Excellent_Ad1132 • 11h ago They came thru destroyed your property and had you as the maid. Tell her it will be a cold day in h I before you ever let them into your house based on how they allowed their h I spawn to act, especially since they didn't even bother to keep them under some kind of control. When any relative gives
    via u/Excellent_Ad1132
  • 19
    you any crop about it, tell them that you will give your sister their number, since it is obvious that they are willing to host them. See how fast that BS turns around. When it is a bother to you, it is ok, but the second it will be their problem, ohh I no.
    via u/Excellent_Ad1132
  • 20
    • Moist-Stay7232 11h ago. I totally get where you're coming from. It's your home, and you've had issues before. Setting clear boundaries for your peace of mind isn't wrong. If they really care, they'll respect it, even if it's a bit tough to hear.
    via u/Moist-Stay7232
  • 21
    Blossom GlowCharm 11h ago • • NTA. Protecting your space isn't greedy, it's smart. It's your home, not a free hotel. Maybe next time they'll value your stuff if they have to pay up for it.
    via u/BlossomGlowCharm
  • 22
    Dont-Blame-Me333 · 11h ago NTA tell sis, "maybe if you hadn't treated my dream home like a junk yard last time, I might have let it slide this time". Actions (or lack of them) have consequences. She can go destroy someone else's home instead. If anyone complains to you, tell sis they'd love to accommodate her rabble.
    via u/Dont-Blame-Me333
  • 23
    Petal Glowflutter • 11h ago . Family doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your peace or wallet. The cleaning fee and utility charge are more than fair, especially since you know how much extra work hosting them will bring. Stay firm on your boundaries.
    via u/Petal_Glowflutter

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childcare christmas family drama aita kids sibling rivalry siblings moms parenting dad family cute kids reddit thread parent Reddit raising kids Parenting Fail parents children Parenting FAILS
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