Future in-laws claim couple’s fixer-upper as their monthlong August vacation home before they even get the keys, invite the extended family, then call them selfish for refusing: 'Our home isn’t a public hotel'

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Celeste Mello • Writer and Editor
Jul 24, 2026 3:15 PM EDT

Future in-laws can look forward to visiting a couple's house, but being related to the homeowners doesn't mean they can use their home as a vacation home for the extended family, especially when the couple has not even reached closing day.

In today's Reddit story, a couple bought a fixer-upper as their first home, which should bring them excitement, renovation plans, and the freedom to decide how their property will be used. Instead, they have to deal with in-law drama. The fiancé's parents have already selected it as their vacation accommodations for the entire month of August, planning to invite their siblings and cousins to join them. The problem is, the hosts never agreed to host a family reunion. Actually, they haven't even gotten the keys yet, and they don't know precisely what condition the house will be in when August arrives. More importantly, the couple wanted time to enjoy their first home together before welcoming a large group of overnight guests. 

The original poster explained that they would still be unpacking and completing renovations, but the mother-in-law considered this boundary selfish. But the poster stood their ground and drew a line. Their home was not a public hotel. The in-laws responded with the silent treatment, while the fiancé attempted to remain outside the conflict. 

And that's the major problem of the story. These are the fiancé's parents, and the fiancé can't stay silent in a situation like this. The new homeowners have to respond as a couple. The fiancé can't let their parents think that his partner is the bad guy. If one partner establishes a boundary on their own, the in-laws may think that person is the obstacle rather than accepting that the decision belongs to the couple.

And the boundary is pretty reasonable. The in-laws attempted to claim a home that was not theirs and invited additional guests without permission. Saying no was not selfish.

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  • Future in-laws appearing upset after their plans to stay at a couple’s new house are rejected.
    via Unsplash+ (Vitaly Gariev)

    Future in-laws appearing upset after their plans to stay at a couple's new house are rejected.

    People shown are models.

  • AITA for telling my fiancé's parents they can't use our future home as a family vacation spot before we even moved in?

    My fiancé and I have been saving for years to buy our first home together. We finally found a place, and the closing
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • date is about two months away. It's a small fixer upper, and we're both really excited to put our own stamp on it.
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • The issue is, my fiancé's parents have always been a bit overbearing with their expectations. They have always envisioned themselves having a constant
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • presence in our lives, and apparently that includes our future home. A few days ago, they casually mentioned how they have already started planning their
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • Cheezburger Image 10650433536
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • I was floored. We haven't even gotten the keys yet, and they're already planning to move their entire extended family into our house. I tried to explain
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • that this isn't feasible we'll still be unpacking, potentially dealing with renovations, and honestly, we just want to enjoy our new home as a couple for a
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • Young engaged couple sitting together among moving boxes after receiving the keys to their first home.
    via Unsplash+ (Vitaly Gariev)

    Young engaged couple sitting together among moving boxes after receiving the keys to their first home.

    Subjects are models.

  • bit before hosting a massive family reunion. My fiancé's mom got really upset, saying I was being selfish and ungrateful, and that they were just trying to help us settle in. My fiancé is trying to
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • Cheezburger Image 10650434304
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • I stood my ground and said that while we love them, our home isn't a public hotel, and we need to set boundaries from the start. I told them they are
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • welcome to visit, but a month long takeover with extended family isn't going to happen. Now, my fiancé's parents are giving us the silent treatment, and my fiancé is worried about the fallout.
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • Open car trunk packed with a suitcase and luggage for an extended family vacation at a relative’s new home.
    via Unsplash+ (Swansway Motor Group)

    Open car trunk packed with a suitcase and luggage for an extended family vacation at a relative's new home.

    Image is illustrative.

  • AITA for drawing a line in the sand before we even move in?
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • tinygribble Your fiancé needs to take the lead on setting boundaries.
    via tinygribble
  • Cheezburger Image 10650470400
    via Forward-Republic1825
  • ReadMeDrMemory NTA. "My fiancé is trying to stay out of it....my fiancé is worried about the fallout." Marrying the wrong guy. Good luck.
    via ReadMeDrMemory
  • Meows_Attack Your in laws aren't the biggest problem, your fiance is the problem. If he doesn't have your back now he won't later either. Draw a line with the fiance
    via Meows_Attack
  • Stepinfection Nta but your fiancé needs to set boundaries with his own family rather than let you be the bad guy.
    via Stepinfection

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fixer upper family drama new homeowners family boundaries entitled in laws in laws
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