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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have sen demand letter to ex?

36 replies

parsleydog · 23/03/2026 21:33

Not me but my friend.

Recently broke up with someone with whom he had been on holiday. He paid for most stuff (hotels, most meals, trips, activities, hire car, one of her flights etc) on the trip.

She agreed, before they broke up, to split accommodation costs and some food costs and said she’d pay him back at the end of the trip.

Then they split up pretty much straight away, got home, he sent her a message breaking down the costs and showing her what she owed (£1.2k). She then sent him a message 2 days later splitting up with him, and she hasn’t paid him back. He’s followed up and she’s ignored him.

He’s now sent her a letter (10 days after they got home) threatening court action if she doesn’t pay him what she promised. But now he feels bad and like he shouldn’t has done this.

Was he being unreasonable to have sent the letter?

I said I’d consult Mumsnet….

OP posts:
Nodlikeyouwerelistening · 23/03/2026 21:45

“Court action”. That’s completely daft. A couple of legal letters would cost more than the £1.2k. He needs to take this as a lesson that you don’t lend money you can’t afford to lose. He’s sent his toothless letter now and if she doesn’t pay or respond then he takes it on the chin and chalks it up to experience. If he keeps persisting she might claim he’s harassing her, then it’s a whole other thing. Just let this one go. She is a dick for not keeping up her end, but people are dicks and he knows this now.

parsleydog · 23/03/2026 21:45

Iydrd · 23/03/2026 21:43

Agreed. Shocking behaviour to just dump because she doesn’t want to pay

Right? Tbh it was clear it was over before she sent the “official” break up text but to my mind very shit that she sent that after he asked her to pay him back.

OP posts:
Iydrd · 23/03/2026 21:43

Agreed. Shocking behaviour to just dump because she doesn’t want to pay

parsleydog · 23/03/2026 21:42

SentFromIpheon · 23/03/2026 21:41

If she agreed to pay it back and is now backpedaling she's a dick.

I used this exact description

OP posts:
parsleydog · 23/03/2026 21:42

Catza · 23/03/2026 21:40

Unless your friend is a complete creep who has done something to lead to the breakup, seems fair to me to try and recover costs.

He’s really not!

OP posts:
SentFromIpheon · 23/03/2026 21:41

If she agreed to pay it back and is now backpedaling she's a dick.

Catza · 23/03/2026 21:40

Unless your friend is a complete creep who has done something to lead to the breakup, seems fair to me to try and recover costs.

parsleydog · 23/03/2026 21:38

Dollymylove · 23/03/2026 21:37

That depends upon how much he needs the money back I guess. Is there anything in writing that the money is owed to your friend?

Yep - WhatsApp messages where she agrees to split.

He does need the money - he’s not going to starve without it but it’s not like he won’t notice it. She actually has a much better paid job than him.

OP posts:
parsleydog · 23/03/2026 21:37

Sorry forgot amount! £1.2k (edited now to add this)

OP posts:
Dollymylove · 23/03/2026 21:37

That depends upon how much he needs the money back I guess. Is there anything in writing that the money is owed to your friend?

DallazMajor · 23/03/2026 21:36

Court action? How much are we talking about ?