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Will we lose our home ? Should I lose a husband

189 replies

Derrygirl09 · 28/01/2025 20:10

Hi everyone 👋
I'll try and keep this short , we bought our first house 3 years ago , since then , me and my husband had a separation of 9 months , things had been bad tbh and I never would have bought a home with him but we found ourselves in need of somewhere new to live and had the means to buy a home , anyway , we decided to work through our issues and things have been going well since Christmas... Today I found letters he has hidden from me from land and property and turns out he has never paid the rates , like ever 🥺, we agreed that he would be responsible for them and he's told me numerous times they were paid for , we now owe 1000s and we honestly don't have the money., he's ignored the last letter that would have given him the option to pay off in installments, he's been working overtime every weekend for 5 months and I also buy all food , all school meals , all kids clothes ect I worked out he should have few hundred left at the end of the month after the bills he pays NOT Inc overtime ,and now he tells me NOW he tells me he couldn't afford it 😡 have I a right to be livid , and what will happen to the home now ? Is this unforgivable to you ?

OP posts:
dementedmummy · 29/01/2025 21:04

Derrygirl09 · 28/01/2025 23:07

He got a credit card last year so it must be ok ,

Unfortunately that means nothing. My now ex husband run £10k in debt on an income of £150 a month (that was his fun money from my salary, while I had nothing as he was a stay at home dad) through gambling. That was the first time. £18k was the second time and when he became the ex. I'm thinking the following are likely:

  1. your husband is a gambler - he can't pay his bills but has taken out a credit card and yet still hasn't used the credit card to pay the bills. Huge red flag for me
  2. he has a side piece that he is financing
  3. he is financing his parents to the detriment of your family unit. Any combination of the above. He says its his business because he knows if he shows you the statements you will either find out what he has been up to and end the marriage, you will challenge him on his spending or best case scenario he is totally delusional and he thinks he can stall you to buy time to fix the black hole. Difficult though it is, I think you need to be firm that this is make or break time. All info needs to go on the table including all debts and obligations, however horrific. If he can do that and show the bank statements, you have a chance of working through things together. If he can't, this is never going to work as you are always going to be wondering what the next financial crisis is going to be. Look up Dave Ramsay baby steps. I'm not saying it's for every one, but it got me out of the financial stook after my husband decimated our finances and got me to being debt free on a single income with children and no maintenance (not because he was denying the children but he was on benefits after I slung his hook and had never had to run a house before - it's different now that his mental health is better). Good luck - you can absolutely do this.
WhenTheyComeForYou · 29/01/2025 20:40

AquaPeer · 29/01/2025 17:52

OP you said you couldn’t afford to live alone during the separation which indicates there isn’t masses of money swarming around and that housing costs are quite significant?

electricity plumbers visits football training, rates- they certainly all add up. But with a recently purchased property the mortgage could easily be 1,2 or 3k a month.

What world are you living in? Most couples commit to joint housing costs which outweigh any single earning potential; that’s why people get critical illness and life cover.

Where I live, 3 bed houses start at around £350k for a shabby small one and £550k for a decent one. I earn £50k and couldn’t afford either option on my own when you add in all other bills.

OP sends her kids to clubs because she’s reassured that all bills are paid and she has excess. Clubs are a nice enhancement to her children’s lives which she thinks she can afford. Sadly, with a secretive, lying husband, it’s now transpired that she may not be able to afford it.

Thats not her fault. You can plan for someone having secret bills/payments. When you’re married, you have to assume your partner is honest.

I can’t believe you’re trying to make out this is OPs fault - what a stretch!

daleylama · 29/01/2025 20:39

Derrygirl09 · 28/01/2025 21:49

Yeah but that would mean serious reduction in quality of life , I could cope. I don't think it's fair on the kids , he woudlnt move out anyway hence why when he split up for 9 months we lived together because he expected me to move with the kids

I think you need to get some external support. You're giving into him in everything. Plenty of advice here rgds dealing ei5 the finances, but at base you need to seek help in either asserting yourself within this relationship or getting out of it before you're bled dry . Is your G P. a listening ear?

daleylama · 29/01/2025 20:25

ru53 · 28/01/2025 20:19

Sorry for the stupid question what are rates?

Rates are local council charges

HollyKnight · 29/01/2025 20:14

Rosscameasdoody · 29/01/2025 20:04

It’s now council tax.

Not where the OP is.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 29/01/2025 20:13

Derrygirl09 · 28/01/2025 21:08

Can someone tell me how to reply individually lol maybe I'm stupid 🤷 we just both agreed no joint accounts because in his words he's bad with money , I'm aware it's my home and safety but why should I be responsible for absolutely everything, they are his kids too he had 2 jobs I asked had he set up direct debits and he said yeah all done , I didn't think I needed to worry on top of being responsible for absolutely everything eles it's a direct debit you set it up and that's it 🤷 tbh i'm responsible for absolutely everything eles I've bills coming out my ears 🙈 I've worked out the money , he should be able to afford it with few 100 spare before overtime

Definitely not your fault for trusting him. People on here will always try to find fault with every little detail. As others have said, call them tomorrow and arrange a payment plan. As for him, I’d definitely be leaving him or asking him to leave, he’s a disgrace to risk you and your children’s wellbeing.

Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 20:07

suki1964 · 29/01/2025 20:01

@Derrygirl09

I feel the pity of you , I really do

Not much help here, but just wanted to give a bit of support

Im English, Married to a NI man, living the other side of the mountain to you and I swear I could string him up at times over money and lack of responsibility

!m 60, I work with lasses in their 20's and we were chatting today, and I was saying how fecking stressed I was looking after two weans at home - doting mother and DH, esp with a 5 day power cut

My DH was reared by a NI mammy and so therefore has never ever in his life had to think for himself , mammy was always there.

God love her, she was a beautiful and lovely woman, but as of that generation, she treated her sons like wee gods, lifted and laid for them and then passed them on to another woman to do the same

The young lasses I work alongside say their fellas are a lot more switched on, will help with the kids, cook, do the shop etc, but the minute they need care - they are running back to mammy as the lasses refuse to make the GP/optician/dental appointments.

So when it comes to anything of importance in my home - bills - I take care of them, I cant trust DH to make sure the money is there on time. Hell even though I wrote the cheque, stuck in it an envelope with a stamp on it for his tax bill, it was still sat here at the weekend - with a week before fines kick in !!! All he actually had to do was post it

DH does work hard, does earn good money - but with him its easy come and easy goes. We have a joint account and I have my own account, because I cant sleep without something tucked away, where as he will spunk the lot on a car as quick as he's got it

The Irish lads do love their mummies 🙈🙈🙈

OP posts:
Rosscameasdoody · 29/01/2025 20:04

ru53 · 28/01/2025 20:19

Sorry for the stupid question what are rates?

It’s now council tax.

suki1964 · 29/01/2025 20:01

@Derrygirl09

I feel the pity of you , I really do

Not much help here, but just wanted to give a bit of support

Im English, Married to a NI man, living the other side of the mountain to you and I swear I could string him up at times over money and lack of responsibility

!m 60, I work with lasses in their 20's and we were chatting today, and I was saying how fecking stressed I was looking after two weans at home - doting mother and DH, esp with a 5 day power cut

My DH was reared by a NI mammy and so therefore has never ever in his life had to think for himself , mammy was always there.

God love her, she was a beautiful and lovely woman, but as of that generation, she treated her sons like wee gods, lifted and laid for them and then passed them on to another woman to do the same

The young lasses I work alongside say their fellas are a lot more switched on, will help with the kids, cook, do the shop etc, but the minute they need care - they are running back to mammy as the lasses refuse to make the GP/optician/dental appointments.

So when it comes to anything of importance in my home - bills - I take care of them, I cant trust DH to make sure the money is there on time. Hell even though I wrote the cheque, stuck in it an envelope with a stamp on it for his tax bill, it was still sat here at the weekend - with a week before fines kick in !!! All he actually had to do was post it

DH does work hard, does earn good money - but with him its easy come and easy goes. We have a joint account and I have my own account, because I cant sleep without something tucked away, where as he will spunk the lot on a car as quick as he's got it

Soonenough · 29/01/2025 19:15

I understand your position. Of course you can go forward with clubs , sofa etc because you thought the other bills ie the rates were being paid for . That was the deal that he made , why would you question him? Especially as he seems to have no reason not to as he has the funds .

But he has lied . My ex lied too . I am like you, I could have budgeted with what we had IF he had been honest about his money . The fact that he hides his accounts is concerning . I wonder if he is helping out his mother . And that is OK too IF he had discussed it and you knew what amount was left to manage everything else.

laraitopbanana · 29/01/2025 19:02

About right yes.

I am sorry op you are in this situation. Call them, say you just have been made aware of this and want to pay the installments. Anything you solely pay must be in YOUR name coz what you say of him does NOT smell good.

Good luck op 🌺

caringcarer · 29/01/2025 18:51

Dibbydoos · 28/01/2025 20:35

Def call them, tell them you've discovered they've not been paid. You want to arrange payment by installments, set it up to come our of his account.

Whilst that's ongoing, put the house on the market to get rid of it and him, sadly you'll be joint and several for the rates, so you'll have to cough up half unless you can twist his arm and he agrees it's on him.

Get shut of him, find a new place and live your best life. What an AH he is.

This.

Windowsand · 29/01/2025 18:46

Get onto Women's aid, you are being financially abused by him.
You need advice and support.

bouncydog · 29/01/2025 18:42

Not sure if this has already been suggested, but have you taken legal advice as to what would happen if you file for divorce? You may find that the house would have to be sold and your husband would have to contribute to the costs of the children which might mean you could actually afford it. Living in the kind of atmosphere which must surely exist will be picked up by the children and is not in their interests. Perhaps if you got some advice and then laid it out to your husband then you might actually find out what he is doing with all the extra money he allegedly has. It sounds as if he either has debts you don’t know about or that he is subsiding his parents which he should not be doing at the cost of his own family.

Lollipop81 · 29/01/2025 18:30

Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 18:09

Rates are like council tax tbh

Ok I see. Well I hope you come to an agreement with them and sort this out, I can see why it is causing you so much angst. Good luck.

Boysgrownbutstillathome · 29/01/2025 18:28

Ring Christians Against Poverty asap. They are a brilliant debt counselling charity and will help you out of your nightmare.

Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 18:12

OnYerselfHen · 29/01/2025 13:43

this may sound silly but is he definitely working? He's not pretending to go to work but actually he's just leaving the house for hours but doing nothing?

Im so sorry OP, this sounds like a nightmare. I do agree with a PP who suggested paying a small fee to see who owns his parent's house - that might give you some answers.

Yeah definitely working , he works with a neighbour who gives him a lift to and from work , and work has fun days ect which I've been too like Christmas one so fairly recently

OP posts:
Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 18:09

Lollipop81 · 29/01/2025 17:50

I am glad I am not the only one who doesn’t know what they are. I’m thinking council tax maybe but I can’t see you getting away with not paying those for so long.

Rates are like council tax tbh

OP posts:
Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 18:09

HollyKnight · 29/01/2025 17:57

Did you phone the rates people today?

Yes they letting me pay it off thankfully,

OP posts:
Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 18:08

AquaPeer · 29/01/2025 17:52

OP you said you couldn’t afford to live alone during the separation which indicates there isn’t masses of money swarming around and that housing costs are quite significant?

electricity plumbers visits football training, rates- they certainly all add up. But with a recently purchased property the mortgage could easily be 1,2 or 3k a month.

They do , I take care of it , my bills are paid 🤷 no their isn't mass amounts of money swarming around but I don't think I should have sat on money that could have went towards kids clubs when he told me the bills were being paid like I'm sorry I don't understand what you expected me to do in this case , i can't afford to live on my own but I'm not on my own and never bought a house on my own I'm married 🤔

OP posts:
Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 18:04

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 29/01/2025 16:41

It hasn't all been left to him.
OP pays for all the bills, food and expenses except for the Mortgage and the Rates. That is the only thing he was asked to do.
She didn't expect that he would pretend to pay, but in reality be building up arrears in secret.
Secrecy has denied OP the chance to adjust her household/child spending or do something to stop the arrears building up because he told her those parts of her bills were taken care of.

Also. the OP is also in paid work. That's how she covers all the other expenses.

I know right , like sorry I don't process magical powers , and I didn't detect he was lieing , I know I should have let kids go without the clubs ect yano just incase my husband wasn't paying a important bill on a newly bought house he's told me repeatedly it's taken care off when it's well within his financial situation to happily cover it 🙈

OP posts:
HollyKnight · 29/01/2025 17:57

Did you phone the rates people today?

Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 17:56

Derrygirl09 · 29/01/2025 17:48

Also were did I say I can't afford to pay the bills ? Never been in debt in my life and I could have covered the rates as well , I was told they were taking care of , he earns more than me why would I think the man Im married too woudlnt be paying a bill he said he was 🙈 no I can't afford a mortgage and everything eles on my own but I didn't buy a house on my own I'm married , no married person says o I can't single hardly afford this house so I won't buy it , it was a joint decision, all he had to take care of was 3 bills , yes I do everything eles , and everything else is taking care off why should the kids not go to the clubs and activities because he can't pay a bill he can afford with a few 100 spare before overtime 🤷 he's a full grown man why should kids suffer for that they are actually his kids too

Edited

And it's a figure of speech but yeah if I found out he was using the money for prostitutes I'd probably end up in jail .. absolutely 🤣 does that literally mean I'd do something to end up in jail for no ... Does it mean I'd be absolutely fumming yes 🥱

OP posts:
AquaPeer · 29/01/2025 17:52

OP you said you couldn’t afford to live alone during the separation which indicates there isn’t masses of money swarming around and that housing costs are quite significant?

electricity plumbers visits football training, rates- they certainly all add up. But with a recently purchased property the mortgage could easily be 1,2 or 3k a month.

Lollipop81 · 29/01/2025 17:50

ru53 · 28/01/2025 20:19

Sorry for the stupid question what are rates?

I am glad I am not the only one who doesn’t know what they are. I’m thinking council tax maybe but I can’t see you getting away with not paying those for so long.

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