Daniella and Seamus are at odds over Seamus's six-week stay in Daniella's flat. Daniella, a freelancer, turned her living room into a bedroom for Seamus last year when he needed a place after their parents sold their house. He moved to Dubai but returned to see friends and family. Daniella bought a £400 sofabed for his stay.
Tensions over space and habits
Seamus immediately changed things around: he turned up the shower temperature causing Daniella to burn herself, moved chopping boards to their old spot, and took spare keys, locking her out. He wants to sleep at 10:30pm, while Daniella prefers midnight. On the first night, he asked to go to bed at 9:55pm, forcing her to stop watching a show. Daniella says, 'It's not that I don't want him here, but he needs to understand that I am giving up my space to host him.'
Seamus's perspective
Seamus says he needs somewhere to stay and prefers his sister's flat over their parents' country home. He makes the bed every morning, cooks, buys food, does gardening, and put up shelves. Regarding the shower, he says, 'I adjusted the water settings because I prefer it hot, then forgot to turn it back down – it was accidental.' He adds, 'If you say someone can be a guest in your home, you can't take it back when it doesn't suit you.'
Financial contributions
Last year, Seamus paid about £900 monthly, just under half of Daniella's £1,875 mortgage and bills. This time, Daniella hasn't asked for money but says she wouldn't say no. Seamus says, 'I don't mind chipping in towards the bills, but she hasn't said how much she wants.'
Compromise and jury feedback
They've adjusted: Seamus now goes to bed around 11pm, and Daniella gives advance notice if she'll watch a late show. A Guardian reader jury offered opinions: Phoebe, 24, says Seamus should pay for his own space if he wants it; Aleah, 30, notes changing shower settings is a massive overstep; Maggie, 59, says a kind gesture cannot have strings attached; Ellie, 29, says no discussion about expectations has been had; Saeid, 38, emphasizes the need for boundaries during a six-week stay.
Verdict
The online poll asks: should Seamus stop lounging around? Results will be published after Wednesday 5 August at 9am BST. Last week, 23% said Fay was guilty of queuing for concert spots, while 77% said she was not.
