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AIBU?

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New man’s house is filthy

605 replies

merrygoroundsss · 17/08/2025 22:53

Not really sure what to do here!

The new guy I’ve been seeing is lovely. We really hit it off and have a lot in common. He treats me well and puts in a lot of effort.

Just to give you some background, I have some OCD tendencies, especially when it comes to cleanliness. My house isn’t perfect, but it’s clean and tidy. He knows this.

He currently has 2 dogs, but he used to have 9 (not sure why, something related to his ex) and they trashed the house. His ex moved out at the start of the year. I'm not sure if things were like this while she was living there or if it started after she moved out. He told me prior to my visit that his house wasn't as clean as mine, but he was making an effort to improve it, though it might take some time. I didn’t expect much, but when I visited his house for the first time yesterday, I was gutted. It was filthy.
Picture dirty, grimy, and sticky. There were dog hairs everywhere. They’re allowed in every room, on the sofa, beds, you name it. He attempted to clean up before I arrived, which is probably why I feel bad for feeling this way, but his whole house needs several deep cleans!

I don’t think he hoovers, so when he mops, he’s just pushing the dirt and dog hairs around. The bathroom was especially awful. I don’t think the toilet had been cleaned in months (there were skid marks, the bowl was black, and the toilet seat was dirty too). The bathroom also had a strong smell of dog urine. He does mop up any accidents but I guess the urine has just soaked into the floor or something?! I kept my socks on while I was there, but he was walking around barefoot and his feet were black! The back garden was a mess too with dog shit and rubbish everywhere.

If I want to keep the relationship going, I need to spend more time at his house because of the dogs. I wouldn’t mind it if the house was actually clean. I’m supposed to stay there again next week, but just thinking about it makes my skin crawl. I feel terrible though, because he’s said he’s trying to sort it, so he’s not in denial or ignoring the issue. But when I left early this morning to come home, he said he was just going to have a lazy day before he had work tomorrow, which showed no effort to clean up or even start tackling the mess.

WTF do I do? I really like this guy, and aside from this one issue, he's great!

OP posts:
DarklingIlisten · 21/08/2025 00:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ due to privacy concerns.

Elle771 · 20/08/2025 18:41

Arlanymor · 19/08/2025 23:41

Don’t get derailed OP. There are lots of other posts on here giving you advice. You haven’t responded to any of those.

This. Is this a deal breaker for you??

Bowies · 20/08/2025 14:31

I would have had to have left within the (probably half) hour - by suggesting getting a coffee out.

I am not terribly fussy, but OPs your descriptions of the place alone are visceral enough to cause nausea in most of us.

I don’t doubt your diagnosis OP, but wouldn’t take it too personally if others have queried it and in responding to them, unfortunately it’s slightly derailed the focus.

I think most of us are just incredulous that you could tolerate the place, especially to stay there (no matter how drunk) when even without a diagnosis and not even having high cleaning standards, we couldn’t.

Anyway, hopefully a bit more clarity on the situation, what’s your next move?

MounjaroMounjaro · 20/08/2025 10:12

I agree, @cheesycheesy. How desperate can you get?

cheesycheesy · 20/08/2025 10:05

The d must be good for you to put up with a piss stinking house even when drunk

LivingWithANob · 20/08/2025 09:44

This sounds utterly horrendous op. I would not be able to sit down there let alone get naked in his bed! It would be a deal breaker for me. He was testing you, getting you round with skids in the toilet, you stayed and even agreed to go back another time! 🚩 jesus, id have had to shower myself down and burn my clothing when i got home. Yuck

PorridgeEater · 20/08/2025 09:21

Arlanymor · 19/08/2025 23:41

Don’t get derailed OP. There are lots of other posts on here giving you advice. You haven’t responded to any of those.

This.
It is right that "He has a deep-seated problem and he has to admit it and want to do something about it and then take action."
If he cares about op and wants her to visit, one might think this would encourage him to do something about his house - but this seems difficult for him and he appears to need professional help. It's no good being in denial about this.

Lalgarh · 20/08/2025 08:58

Mumsnet algorithms points out a link to this earlier AIBU to a poster who ends up co opted to tidying her boyfriends flat every time she goes round

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/amibeingunreasonable/5318599-to-ask-my-boyfriend-to-clean-his-apartment-before-i-come-round?page=12

"...now sick of it and I spoke to him and asked if he wouldn’t mind cleaning the place before I came round because it’s not a nice environment to be in, it makes me uncomfortable and I also don’t want to spend half my Sunday cleaning his mess! He waits all weeks for it to build up and then does it on a Sunday when I am there to join in. And I don’t think it’s fair. I have my own house to clean. He has kicked off with me. He is furious. He said “how dare you tell me what to do with my own flat” and we haven’t spoken since Thursday night."...

FrogFalacy · 20/08/2025 08:41

WeylandYutani · 19/08/2025 22:45

I have support from my mum and boyfriend anyway. I would prefer that to help from a stranger.

It might be worth you looking into funded carers. Get yourself a package you are happy with, with the support of mum and bf. I imagine your mum is getting older, at some point her own health will inevitably mean she can’t care for you. Likewise bf can’t be relied on as a sole carer. Better to take that ownership for your own care now in gradual stages with support of mum and bf

tripleginandtonic · 20/08/2025 08:19

cestlavielife · 17/08/2025 22:55

You are not compatible
It is a massive issue

This.

LillyPJ · 20/08/2025 07:38

My partner's house is clean and generally tidy. Even so, I'm reluctant to go because his sofa is uncomfortable! I don't know how you could even contemplate carrying on the relationship if it means visiting (or cleaning up) a dirt and dog infested house.

BucketofTeaMassiveCake · 20/08/2025 07:23

What are you going to do OP? You probably feel mean if you dump him but it won't be easy to continue with him and this terrible house despite his 'loveliness'. In your place I think I'd end it, saying that 'this doesn't work for me, good luck for the future, etc' and say goodbye.

He has a deep-seated problem and he has to admit it and want to do something about it and then take action. He has to do this himself. You will end up being his cleaner and his therapist and I'm sure you deserve better.

RampantIvy · 20/08/2025 07:09

merrygoroundsss · 19/08/2025 23:34

So what you’re saying is I’m a liar, I haven’t been diagnosed and I don’t have OCD? Ok.

I don't have OCD and I wouldn't have stayed.

What have you decided? Are you going to keep seeing someone who likes living in squalor?

DarklingIlisten · 20/08/2025 02:40

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DarklingIlisten · 20/08/2025 02:39

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DarklingIlisten · 20/08/2025 00:51

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intoFolklore · 19/08/2025 23:47

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Arlanymor · 19/08/2025 23:41

merrygoroundsss · 19/08/2025 23:34

So what you’re saying is I’m a liar, I haven’t been diagnosed and I don’t have OCD? Ok.

Don’t get derailed OP. There are lots of other posts on here giving you advice. You haven’t responded to any of those.

merrygoroundsss · 19/08/2025 23:34

intoFolklore · 19/08/2025 18:29

If this was true, and you actually had OCD and cleanliness was a trigger, you wouldn't have been able to sleep in that house. Drink or no drink. You wouldn't have been able to do it.

Edited

So what you’re saying is I’m a liar, I haven’t been diagnosed and I don’t have OCD? Ok.

OP posts:
AlertEagle · 19/08/2025 23:20

I wouldn’t have to scrub my skin until I bleed after I leave a house this filthy 🤮

WeylandYutani · 19/08/2025 22:45

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/08/2025 22:41

Can you apply for any home support?
Sounds really difficult. 🥰

I have support from my mum and boyfriend anyway. I would prefer that to help from a stranger.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/08/2025 22:41

WeylandYutani · 19/08/2025 22:31

It is just me here though. No kids. I would not be able to take care of them if I had them anyway. I know that.

I have tried every planner and list and everything under the sun.

Can you apply for any home support?
Sounds really difficult. 🥰

WeylandYutani · 19/08/2025 22:31

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/08/2025 22:28

People who suffer from poor executive functioning have to try harder, use lists, prioritise small tasks.

I don't have any natural organisational skills, I'm so clumsy, I'm distracted easily, however I trained myself with tricks, my cleaning for an entire song, putting away 5 items before i stop, I make lists.

My mother had poor executive functioning skills, our home wasn't clean, searching for a matching sock every morning, untidy uniform.

My children deserve clean clothing and a clean home with space.

Bins empty, clean dirty dishes, put on one wash is a minimum daily requirement for me.

It is just me here though. No kids. I would not be able to take care of them if I had them anyway. I know that.

I have tried every planner and list and everything under the sun.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/08/2025 22:28

WeylandYutani · 19/08/2025 22:15

Yes it does. I struggle with executive function. My hygiene with my self and home was mentioned in my own diagnostic report.

People who suffer from poor executive functioning have to try harder, use lists, prioritise small tasks.

I don't have any natural organisational skills, I'm so clumsy, I'm distracted easily, however I trained myself with tricks, my cleaning for an entire song, putting away 5 items before i stop, I make lists.

My mother had poor executive functioning skills, our home wasn't clean, searching for a matching sock every morning, untidy uniform.

My children deserve clean clothing and a clean home with space.

Bins empty, clean dirty dishes, put on one wash is a minimum daily requirement for me.

WeylandYutani · 19/08/2025 22:15

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ due to privacy concerns.

Yes it does. I struggle with executive function. My hygiene with my self and home was mentioned in my own diagnostic report.

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