To tell people we're still renting when we bought outright.

If you’ve been renting and move it’s a pretty standard question to ask are you still renting or have you bought. Nothing nosy about it. It’s basic conversation.
Im assuming the way OP wanted this thread to go was for people to focus on the “we bought outright part”. Either a humble brag or an attempt to stir the pot. Didn’t go the way they expected.

I don't think I've ever asked that question, but it always seems to come up in conversation anyway - people mention conveyancing or letting agents or whatever. If you know these people are homeowners, they probably don't expect you'll find it intrusive to ask you about the same thing.

If it's the norm in your circles to buy a bottle of bubbly when someone moves, then it's a shame they haven't done that for you. Among my friends (mainly renters) that's definitely not the done thing for every move - too many of us have moved too many times!

Exactly this. We own our home outright. No one knows except my parents. Everyone assumes we have mortgage and that's fine by me!

I think you're over thinking, if anyone asks you tell them you rented and have now bought off the landlord. They can always look and see what you've paid in the coming months, it's there for all to see on the Land Registry site and Sold House Prices.

It's weird anyone except your parents would ask this outright. Parents might be worried about long term security or considering their wills so you shouldn't lie to them if this might be the case.

Volunteering the information in the context of normal conversations "we got a great offer to buy the house we live in - really convenient, no need to move again" is fairly normal though.

Directly lying is weird - surely nobody is going to ask what percentage of equity you have! That's not normal and can be answered with "none of your business" with or without humour depending how it's asked.

I don't think it's a nosy question to ask if you rent or own - it's relevant to subsequent questions. If someone rents I'm not going to be asking the same questions if they've bought because there are different constraints. Obviously it could also be a baseline question to go on to ask rude questions but the question itself isn't rude.

Mumsnet can be odd regarding small talk, I remember years ago reading how rude it was to ask what job some had or where they lived.

Yes definitely overthinking. It’s probably a casual question and they thought no more of it afterwards. Just tell them the truth if you want to, or don’t. If they really want to talk about it you could tell them exactly what happened, they’ll probably be envious you got such a great deal . Congratulations though, must feel great to be mortgage and rent free and in a bigger house

Well that’s your answer then - nobody knew you. So obviously no one is going to ask.

YANBU to find it a nosey question from people you don't know well. It sounds as if they're comparing your situation to their own. But YABU to lie. I like the answer above, asking them why they want to know. But if you can't do that, just tell the truth (or a version of it. You don't have to go into detail) and then change the subject. If they don't like it or are envious, that's their problem. But lying can bring its own problems. Better to be truthful where possible.

Just say you bought it. I’d be really surprised if they then went on to ask the loan to value ratio

OP. The question says more about the person asking than the answer will ever say about you!

nope I can't see how they would have done. We weren't in rental houses and nobody knew us.

It's just conversation. I don't know why you're being so weird about it. Just tell people you bought it. Who cares either way?

I think you felt weird about renting and have projected it onto other people. In reality, nobody gives a shit.

Perhaps in your situation people already knew you were renting so no point asking. In the OPs case she had probably been talking about buying a house as they had been looking so it’s not an unreasonable question at all. If someone is trying to buy their first home, they usually tell you about it because it’s a milestone and achievement - if you had never mentioned it people would just assume you are still renting so no point asking

as i said upthread, have rented 5 times and the question never arose.

we have rented 5 times and the issue has never arisen

Oh! I meant to say I wouldn't lie!

It's called conversation.
It's this sort of sensitivity that makes me worried about even opening my mouth these days, seriously nothing seems to be immune from a "tactless" interpretation from someone or other.
After this thread Im starting to worry about being a bitch just for saying hello to anyone for fear I even do that in the wrong way!

Everybody talks about the struggles of buying a house getting the mortgage waiting for the survey that’s normal small talk so you would know when friends had bought rather than move to another rental. All you need to do is say the truth you were renting but the landlord of to sell it to you and you bought it.

I find this way of thinking really odd. Who cares if you've bought the house, truly? Any friends of mine who've managed to get onto the housing ladder I've been really pleased for and couldn't wait to go around for a cuppa and to admire.

It's a big life event buying your first house. So I think it's just people find it natural to ask. It also affects how much work you will be able to do on the property, so will change chat about new kitchens or having to fix the roof.

Yeah, it's just small talk / conversation. Being able to buy is a good news story.

Yes its chit chat isnt it?

Although I dont know that various random people ask me if I own or rent my house, friends yes, but OP says this isnt her friends.

I'd ask a friend who had rented because saving and buying your first home is an achievement and I'd want to congratulate them for it. You're over thinking it. "Funny story we rented then bought it" no big deal. Normal people don't usually go as far as asking about finances. Maybe they just want to be happy for you? It actually is an amazing achievement that you saved enough to buy outright, that's wild! Well done.

Pretty standard when you have moved to asked if you brought or renting.