Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think ILs and DH should utilise this opportunity better

53 replies

FleursDeFilles · 17/02/2025 15:29

MIL has no savings. FIL died 10 years ago. DH has one sister who rents with her husband. DH earns well and bought his parents' council house outright. The house is in Bedford. The house has been vacant since FIL died. MIL lives in her sister's council flat in London. SIL is also in London. MIL doesn't want to live alone. Their family home in Bedford is like a ghost house of a family who once lived there.

AIBU to think it is such a waste that they won't rent it out? It could all go into MIL's savings and offer her a much more comfortable life. She lives incredibly frugally, wears a woolly hat and coat indoors. I just feel like things could be so much better.

MIL refuses to throw anything out or organise things in the Bedford home. She won't go back to live in the house. SIL isn't interested in the house. DH doesn't want to sell as neither MIL nor SIL have a property of their own and would like there to be somewhere as a back up (I agree too although generally not any of my business).

However, the house, having been vacant for a decade is becoming increasingly unliveable. It is a mess - no furniture covered in sheets, dishes still out. I just don't understand how they can leave a property empty and not make the most of it. I think it's so irresponsible. I feel like my IL's could be futureproofing and preparing for the future in a more savvy way. AIBU? What would you do if that was your family house?

OP posts:
MorrisZapp · 17/02/2025 15:33

Who's paying the council tax?

MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned · 17/02/2025 15:33

I'm a bit confused as to why this is your MIL's decision - it seems that she neither owns the house or lives in it? I appreciate it might be really hard for her emotionally to clear the house but it's your DH's asset that's depreciating. However, I also can't work out from the post what he wants to do (other than not sell it).

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 17/02/2025 15:32

Why would the money go to MILs savings if its DHs house?? Why can't he just throw everything out? If he bought the house it's his!!

Swipe left for the next trending thread