opinions please
 

this is my first real post asking for support.

we have a friend staying here for the summer. we lined out what he was supposed to pay and what he was supposed to do before he moved in. for very cheap rent he was supposed to keep the house clean. perhaps i did not make this clear enough to him because i thought he would realize that i meant cleaning the house top to bottom once a week. as it is he cleans here and there but the house never looks clean. he also had agreed to help with some renovation and yard work, none of which he has even started.

now he is balking on paying his rent. it is only $100/month, which is next to nothing. the reason that his rent is so low is because he is supposed to be doing the house and yard work, but really is never here. at this point i am ready to send him a bill for storing his stuff, which takes up a whole room plus our garage.

i'm sure he has reasons for acting this way, but any time i bring it up to him he says i am "acting like a 12 year old". he is more respectful of my partner, but he still keeps putting things off.

any opinions would be appreciated.

To be completely honest if somebody told me to 'keep the house clean' I would not think that meant a full clean every single week. If I were you I would get your partner and sit him down, the three of you together and tell him EXACTLY what it is you are expecting him to do and give him dates for doing it by. At the moment it doesn't seem like either of you have been very specific and its probably a bit confusing for both parties. Either he is your friend and therefore your house guest rather than a lodger or he is a tenant....blurring the lines and helping it will work itself out just isn't logical.

you have a good point. perhaps we did not set out our expectations clearly enough.

I dont mean that he is completely blameless and certainly he should not be disrespectful to you but you are clearly in a bit of an awkward situation since he is your friend. That is why I said I thought a meeting with all three of you to set things straight would be the best move. Then give it a two or three weeks and you and your partner can re evaluate if things are any better.