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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Not happy with husband’s new living arrangements

344 replies

MidnightOrange · 11/06/2025 00:14

My husband has a new job in a different part of the country. He lives away from home during the week and comes home at weekends. Up until now he has been staying in hotels but now he has rented a room in a flat because he wanted a more settled base. All fine. My issue is that he has moved in with a single woman about the same age as us. They are eating together and watching the tv together in the evenings. I am uncomfortable with this. It just seems too close for comfort. AIBU to say to him that I am not happy. I think he would understand how I feel and change arrangements if i pushed for it but he has struggled to find somewhere that suits him and he likes it there.

OP posts:
Katkins17 · 11/06/2025 06:55

If the tables were turned, he’d have misgivings about you lodging with a single male ….guaranteed.

Fitasafiddle1 · 11/06/2025 06:55

Spies · 11/06/2025 06:51

I don't see how that discussion would have told them what the situation would be. He wouldn't have known himself that they would be sharing meals or watching TV together before moving in, it's not a normal lodger situation. Or are you saying the OP should have anticipated this and told him not to do those things? Confused

They could have agreed certain terms like all male houses etc, op could have outlined what she was comfortable to agree to.

It’s hard to have preempted that a normal lodger situation would develop into couple like relationship so very quickly, so it feels like there is much more to it.
Maybe he knew her before?

Something feels off, and op is determined not to find out. Denial it seems is easier than facing up to the reality that her dh is now living with another woman for most of the week.

LakieLady · 11/06/2025 06:54

CR2025 · 11/06/2025 01:25

If your spouse gets a job far away you move or split.

his home isn’t your home anymore.

My DF worked in an industry that meant he was frequently working overseas for long periods. My DM never wanted to move abroad, and neither of them wanted mine and my DB's education disrupted, so we stayed in the UK.

I don't think he ever shared accommodation with a single woman, although he shared a house with 3 colleagues for a while, and one of them was female. DM never gave it a second thought.

MsDogLady · 11/06/2025 06:52

Sharing space for most of the week, eating (cooking?) together, and watching tv and laughing together in the evenings

@MidnightOrange, your feelings and boundaries are reasonable and valid, and your H needs to honor them.

This set-up would make me very uncomfortable. He is away from you all week and is getting to know this new woman in a home setting. Proximity can easily breed interest, familiarity, intimacy and attraction.

This wouldn’t be happening in my marriage. Why play with fire? I would absolutely ask him to find other accommodations.

Your peace of mind needs to come first.

Spies · 11/06/2025 06:51

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 11/06/2025 06:48

Hence the need for a discussion. Beforehand.

I don't see how that discussion would have told them what the situation would be. He wouldn't have known himself that they would be sharing meals or watching TV together before moving in, it's not a normal lodger situation. Or are you saying the OP should have anticipated this and told him not to do those things? Confused

ButterCrackers · 11/06/2025 06:49

He has to leave this arrangement today. He can go back to the hotel.

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 11/06/2025 06:48

Spies · 11/06/2025 06:39

Why did you wait until now to think about saying something? He's already moved and settled in, surely this was best discussed before it actually happened?

Because she didn't know that they would spend each evening together watching TV and eating meals before he moved in?

It's the fact they are acting like a couple sharing a house than lodgers that's the issue.

Edited

Hence the need for a discussion. Beforehand.

GoldMoon · 11/06/2025 06:47

My son in laws friend did this , had a wife and daughter back home .
Now lives permanently in new town , with new wife ( yes who he rented room from ) with two new kids as well !

Fitasafiddle1 · 11/06/2025 06:47

A bad day at work, an extra glass of wine at dinner, a comforting shoulder to cry on…….more fool you op.
That’s all I am saying.

I hope you have your plan b ready, and finances in perfect order. You are both playing Russian roulette with your marriage with this arrangement. A wing and a prayer, rather than solid boundaries, clear expectations and lots of love and time together the glue of every good marriage.

PinkPonyClutz · 11/06/2025 06:43

Nope. He’s spending more time living like a couple with her than he is with you.

Teaacup · 11/06/2025 06:39

Is this a permanent job relocation? If it is, you really need to move closer to his work or he finds another job closer to where you live.

Spies · 11/06/2025 06:39

Why did you wait until now to think about saying something? He's already moved and settled in, surely this was best discussed before it actually happened?

Because she didn't know that they would spend each evening together watching TV and eating meals before he moved in?

It's the fact they are acting like a couple sharing a house than lodgers that's the issue.

PilotFish · 11/06/2025 06:38

CR2025 · 11/06/2025 01:25

If your spouse gets a job far away you move or split.

his home isn’t your home anymore.

No marriages in the military allowed then?

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 11/06/2025 06:38

Why did you wait until now to think about saying something? He's already moved and settled in, surely this was best discussed before it actually happened?

OttoGraph · 11/06/2025 06:37

I have a lodger at the moment, a friend of a friend of a friend. They are on a year placement in my area.

we don’t eat together or watch tv together, he spends time doing his own stuff or in his room.

its over familiar behaviour that your h seems to be entwined with. That starts if friendly but where does it lead with people realising. I’d nip it in the bud - get back on spare rooms

unless it’s a contrived lodger situation, was this all set up? Had he met her since he started the job? Then moved in?

Fitasafiddle1 · 11/06/2025 06:35

MidnightOrange · 11/06/2025 06:32

I do trust him. I just feel weird about it.

So why aren’t you listening to that ‘weird feeling’ and blindly holding on to I trust my dh mantra?

Why is it so hard or unthinkable to question things?

It is healthy to protect your interests, to be aware and to feel comfortable within a relationship. This would not be acceptable to most wives op.

curious79 · 11/06/2025 06:34

I would try and develop some happiness with this arrangement. You have a good marriage and you say you’re happy. After being unhappy, he’s now in a situation where he has some company mid week, which means he won’t go out looking for company. This lady gets to share with someone who will hopefully be non-threatening i’m not lecherous because he already has a significant other. Not all men cheat and can’t be trusted

he has suggested you visit and I suggest you do that to put your mind at rest

MidnightOrange · 11/06/2025 06:32

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 11/06/2025 06:27

Mine worked away for a few years and he rented a room from a young pretty female for a few months in one town. Guess what happened? Nothing! I completely trust my OH, why don't you?

I do trust him. I just feel weird about it.

OP posts:
CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 11/06/2025 06:31

SingleAHF · 11/06/2025 06:16

Even if your husband is now and turns out to be 100% faithful to you throughout the entirely of your marriage, he was STILL in the wrong for doing this!

Because he should have realised how it LOOKS to you (and to others) that he has moved in with another woman and spending much of his leisure time with her. He should have realised how you would FEEL - ie threatened and insecure and worried.

Can he ever not be wrong?

Whatever happened to the notion of the strong independent woman whose entire life does not revolve around a man? Or to the idea of platonic friendships? Or to the sisterhood where another woman was not going to steal your man??

The OP sounds very sensible, having participated in the process and been fully aware at all times.

She's not asking whether she should leave him; just whether is reasonable to explain that, although party to the agreement, she's uncomfortable with the actuality.

My answer is absolutely explain your feelings.
But also be clear what you think an acceptable resolution would be?

  • only a male.flatmate? (Will you still worry they might be getting too friendly)
  • stay there but don't eat together? (Lonely)
  • back to hotels? (Expensive)

It's easy to be concerned, but it shouldn't be a reason to be coercive.

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 11/06/2025 06:31

Fitasafiddle1 · 11/06/2025 06:27

And you know that how? Did you monitor his movements 247?

No. But i trust him completely. He told me about her, he had a room in her flat, she was his flatmate nothing else. If you don't trust your partner, your relationship is over.

MidnightOrange · 11/06/2025 06:31

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 11/06/2025 06:27

Mine worked away for a few years and he rented a room from a young pretty female for a few months in one town. Guess what happened? Nothing! I completely trust my OH, why don't you?

But did he cook and watch tv with his landlord?

OP posts:
Spies · 11/06/2025 06:30

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 11/06/2025 06:27

Mine worked away for a few years and he rented a room from a young pretty female for a few months in one town. Guess what happened? Nothing! I completely trust my OH, why don't you?

Did he also share evening meals with her and watch TV together?

He's a lodger acting like they are in a relationship, it's just odd and I'm surprised several posters can't see that this is not normal lodger behaviour.

MidnightOrange · 11/06/2025 06:29

@moose62you see this is what I think it is. I am convinced it was all above board getting the room. I have no reason to not trust my husband. I’m feeling a bit insecure at the moment, but that’s nothing caused by him. He wants me to go and visit one week soon so I can see where he is. I really don’t think he’s doing anything dodgy, I just feel really weird about it.

OP posts:
Sally2791 · 11/06/2025 06:29

I imagine he would not be comfortable if you were watching tv with your male lodger every weekday evening?

DBD1975 · 11/06/2025 06:28

This is truly bonkers, not sure why anyone would be happy with or agree with this arrangement. It is a no flipping way from me.
Put your foot down OP this needed to be stopped before it started, it is crazy and, in my opinion, totally unacceptable.

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