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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DS plans to leave his central London flat totally empty for a year

234 replies

Tedsabear · 24/09/2025 16:25

Hi all, so my DS’s dad passed away a couple of years ago, between his pension, life insurance and home DS and as able to sell his home and buy a flat in central London. He spent over 1 million on this (his dad wasn’t super wealthy or anything he just owned a property in a nice area of London and it was paid off mortgage wise). His girlfriend is Portuguese and also owns property in Lisbon.
They are mid 20s.

They have decided to spend the next year as digital nomads as they are able to work remotely. I told DS he should rent out his flat and his girlfriend should do the same. One from a security perspective and two as extra income. He has said no he doesn’t like the idea of someone staying in his space, he’s said I can go and check on it once a month or “whatever” if I like. He said his girlfriend will be doing the same anyway.

AIBU to think he’s being ridiculous?

OP posts:
SriouslyWhutNow · 24/09/2025 16:30

We’re currently working abroad and left our house empty while we decide if this is permanent. Renting these days is a world of problems and getting tenants back out is extremely hard. No one wants an absentee landlord that the PM company can’t ever contact, either.

OhTheProblemIsDefinitelyMe · 24/09/2025 16:29

It’s not like it’s costing him anything if it’s paid for. I get you want him to make money by renting it out, but I wouldn’t want someone in my home.
They might want to pop back occasionally, they can’t do that if it’s rented out. If they rent it out it might get damaged, trashed, they might stop paying rent and need evicting, they’d have to store their stuff in storage etc etc so I understand why he doesn’t want to.

Myfridgeiscool · 24/09/2025 16:29

I wouldn’t leave it empty: insurance, potential squatters, water leaks etc. Property needs managing.

Tedsabear · 24/09/2025 16:29

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 24/09/2025 16:27

While they're away you can rent it out without telling him. You'd make thousands of pounds and he sounds a bit clueless so probably won't cotton on. Everyone's a winner.

I mean I have absolutely no rights to his property so won’t do this.

OP posts:
Longingdreamer · 24/09/2025 16:28

It would probably invalidate his insurance.

What about getting a house sitter if he isn't willing to rent it?

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 24/09/2025 16:27

While they're away you can rent it out without telling him. You'd make thousands of pounds and he sounds a bit clueless so probably won't cotton on. Everyone's a winner.

Octavia64 · 24/09/2025 16:27

It can be a nightmare evicting people if they don’t want to leave and tenants can cause a lot of damage as well. I’m team DS.

Tiswa · 24/09/2025 16:27

He needs to have insurance to reflect that though

mumofoneAloneandwell · 24/09/2025 16:26

I want your problems girl 😄😄