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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

A money one - who is being unreasonable?

229 replies

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 27/02/2025 19:55

A family member, let's call him Josh, and his girlfriend, Sophie, have been together for 5 years. Three years ago they bought a house together. Josh had inherited some money so put down the deposit of £30k, Sophie didn't have any money so didn't put down anything.

The house They loved was £210k so they used Josh's inheritance as a deposit and took out a joint mortgage of £180k. All good.

However, they have now split up. They've had 3 house valuations, and have realised that the house has gone down in value. On the advice of the EA, they are putting it on the market at £189k but have agreed that they will accept £180k for a quick sale.

The issue is this. Assuming the worst case scenario that the house sells for £180k, should Josh accept he's lost his inheritance and suck it up, or should Sophie pay Josh £15k as her "share" of the loss?

AIBU - Josh should suck it up
YANBU - Sophie should pay Josh £15k

They are both aware that the house might not sell at all!

OP posts:
IThoughtHeWasWithYou · 27/02/2025 20:02

Did he ring fence the deposit when he put it down initially? That would influence my thinking here.

Psychologymam · 27/02/2025 20:02

what does their legal agreement say? Unmarried couples buying houses with unequal finances must have explored what they would do should they split and they’ll follow that?

Barrenfieldoffucks · 27/02/2025 19:59

Morally, I think that is fair.

FartyAnimal · 27/02/2025 19:58

They should both take the loss - half each.