Update to AIBU to refuse Aunt's fwb claim on her estate.

You should definitely go to Rip Off Britain. I don't think they'd portray you in an unsympathetic light.
And try your MP; you never know what they might say.

He’s too old to be booted out after the judge swallowed a scam that’s too easy to pull. Next question.

I’m so sorry. OP, your troubles could help someone else if you tell your MP what happened. I know that doesn’t help you but given what’s going on with law changes to cohabitation, a letter from you would really, really make a difference in stopping this particularly lucrative elder abuse.

The house he is living in is not part of the estate, but by op and her sister.

I don’t think this is black and white. My understanding is that the holiday home was a gift with reservations as OP’s aunt continued to use it after transferring it to OP.

I like the thinking.

The house he is living in is not part of the estate, but by op and her sister.
Estate has to pay the rent to Op and sister.

You have a house you could be utilising as an air b&b near the coast, some of these bring in rent of £2000 a week.

Show you could achieve this if of wasn't there, set the rate to this level and pay it from the estate.

When the estate has no money left, he can no longer be kept.

Do you at least get to decide the rent rate??

I think you are wise to do what is best for you at this point, even if he doesn't get justice. It's so infuriating, and such a slap in the face to your aunt. Maybe you could get him hooked on unhealthy habits to...er...speed things along. Whiskey of the month club? Free bacon bap delivered every morning? Rent includes a few cartons of cigarettes?

Sorry I'm back to this. I am procrastinating.

OP, since laws around 'cohabitation' rights are very topical and being debated would you consider writing to your MP in the first instance?

I'd keep it very factual about the limited evidence relied on for their relationship to establish 'need', the court experience you had and your solicitor's view you would likely get a different decision further along, but the incredibly costly barrier to get there.

If they have any suggestions for help - you're all ears - but it's hard not to see how someone knowing about this isn't in the public interest.

This from @Supersimkin7 really hit me:

The elderly are huge CF targets, as homeowners, as you know to
your cost. No one else is worth as much. And the rise in dementia is a gift to this legislation.

My DH's grandfather was hit by a scammer - they are as old as time - but we should not be FACILITATING THEM.

In other words, I think there is a way to contain the reputational risk. It's interesting someone enough to write the story that is the harder part. I agree you don't want to 'self-publish' but OP isn't suggesting that.

Getting a third-party interested is very different from suggesting she goes on a FB rant to personally disparage him, which I agree she should absolutely not do. He'd be suing the programme/publication.

I was also thinking the focus should be on the legal loopholes that allowed this to happen, not necessarily him personally. Yes, he might have a different account of how close he was to the aunt but that would be framed as an opinion, which is not grounds for libel.

In any case, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

OP, the media get it wrong all the time.

You’re at risk of CF doing Pensioner Sad-face on page 8 while you’re painted as a greedy landlord.

Worse, you open yourself to the risk of being sued for libel if you tell the truth in print because you can’t prove in writing CF is lying. He’s not going to start being truthful now.

He’s already suing you once, don’t go asking for trouble.

@Sleepneededprettyplease I've only read your posts on the thread so this may have already been suggested, have you considered starting a go fund me or similar campaign? I reckon you'd get lots of support and donations, and also possibly get it out into mainstream media etc.

The cohabitation rules that are proposed would make it incredibly easy to do a CF, OP.

They’re meant to stop you and the DC being booted out on the street - ie to cut welfare.

But the wording is so vague a paid carer for an elderly person could easily claim their house after the death.

The elderly are huge CF targets, as homeowners, as you know to
your cost. No one else is worth as much. And the rise in dementia is a gift to this legislation.

A lot of people I know are livid at the idea that if you try living together you’re billed for half your house after splitting just 2 years later.

He's an absolute parasite, isn't he?

Agree 100%. And yes, we have to do what works for us.

At this point I'm foregoing justice and working on 'peace and acceptance'. As my Gran used to say "What cannot be cured must be endured". And I'm enduring as best I can.

Ah OP, I really want justice for you. This is a terrible situation. I would ask all the posters on here to have a collective message sent to the man so he pops his clogs as soon as possible .I would love it if Rip Off Britain find a solution because then you can get on with your life and do what you want with the property I reckon you have a lot of support and I wish the man a very short life. I am not a mean person usually but I look forward to hearing about a funeral for him. At least he is an OAP.