Noisy host - how to handle?

[Anna10179]

Hi there all, 

I have a host whose baby is crying, laughing, screaming after 10 up until 12 on the weekends. Mother seems to also "join in" on the noise and be pretty loud. (we share a small condo). They do not leave to their bedroom to play, rather stay in living room, which is just outside my door. 

After that, in the morning they wake up and the baby makes noise from 8.30 (which is fine with me, as it's not early).

But shouldn't you be quiet either at night or in the morning at least? 

My host never made an attempt to be quiet when I'm sleeping, and that's what bugs me. 

I can't move out, as I've been living for a couple months now, and this is the only location I can live and the place that I can afford. But I feel like if I will ask, would that help?

My host also didn't charge me any cleaning fee. 

So she gets from me around $1100 canadian per month for a small room in a condo. And also I have my "own" bathroom, that they use (family of 3) from time to time. But I'm the only one expected to be cleaning the toilet and sink. 

What should I do?

My host doesn't seem like a bad person, and I'm trying to be diplomatic.

[Sarah977]

@Anna10179  First of all, I assume that the fact that there is a baby or children in the home was mentioned in the listing ad? When you book a home-share, you are subject to the lifestyle of the hosts. And if I were going to book a place long term, I would make sure to ask some questions first about things that were important to me, like privacy, quiet hours, potential for noise.

Babies cry, laugh, sometimes scream. That said, hosts should try to be respectful of guests just as guests should be respecful of the hosts.

In a home-share situation, communication is really important. No one is a mind reader, so the host may not be aware at all that her hanging out and playing with the baby in the living room late at night is disturbing your sleep. 

So let her know in a polite way, and maybe she can hang out with the baby in another part of the house after 10 PM if that's when you go to sleep. Also, you can be pro-active for yourself, and use earplugs when you go to sleep.

As far as them using the bathroom that is meant to be for you, but you being expected to clean it, are they cleaning things you use, like the kitchen and living room?  I mean things like vacuuming, floor washing, etc, not washing your dishes. If so, it doesn't seem unfair to ask you to keep one bathroom clean, unless you find they make a big mess in there.

That is also something to discuss with the host, if you feel you are doing more than your share. As you say, they don't charge a cleaning fee, so chipping in with the housework in a shared home situation is reasonable. 

But if that bathroom was advertised as private, they really shouldn't be using it unless in an emergency situation.