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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this isn't weird and is quite sensible

59 replies

iwerta · 10/01/2011 15:47

My brother and sister currently rent seperate appartments, their rent contracts are both coming to an end and they've decided that they're going to get a place to share as it will be cheaper as they can share costs. My cousin seems to think its weird, I don't think its sensible. AIBU

OP posts:
wubblybubbly · 10/01/2011 17:53

My brother rented a room from me for a good few years. We went on holiday together too.

I love that I have a close relationship with him.

I agree with JamieLeeCurtis, folk who think there's anything weird in it are the weird ones.

Gogopops · 10/01/2011 17:53

My great-aunt and great-uncle (brother and sister)have lived together in a rented house for about 50 years and it suits them. The main problem seems to be that people assume that they are a married couple!

OP - I think this is a good idea and all should work well if they set some rules at the start and generally get on well. I don't see what the problem is.

QuietTiger · 10/01/2011 17:58

My younger brother and I shared a house for about 5 years. We managed OK, although we did have some tremendous arguments, but no different to the arguments we had as kids.

It worked remarkably well, mostly because we were good friends anyway. The main problems we had was things like who was supposed to buy milk, who ate the last of the bread/chocolate/yogurt.

And I did get a bit uppity about the noise when one of his girlfriends turned out to be a bit of a screamer during sex...

llareggub · 10/01/2011 18:02

How on earth is it weird? After all, we all lived with our siblings during childhood!

trailledog · 10/01/2011 18:55

I shared a house with my brother for about 3 years and it was brilliant. We did fall out occaisionally over a few things but we quickly made up.

KERALA1 · 10/01/2011 18:57

Shared with my sister and it was great. You can be honest and really relax with a sibling in ways you cant with a friend / flatmate ie you can be honest and upfront about stuff without having to tiptoe about like you do with most people.

huddspur · 10/01/2011 19:19

I think it sounds good and sensible, I've never shared a house with a sibling but I wouldn't mind doing it. I wonder if your cousin would think it was weird if it were 2 brothers or 2 sisters sharing a house.

JennyPiccolo · 10/01/2011 19:22

Think your cousin's weird, to be honest.

lokaku · 10/01/2011 19:55

Provided you get on, I can't think of anyone better to share a house with. I shared with my brother for a while when he graduated and it was brilliant as I lost my job but he paid the rent for both of us, a friend or flatmate wouldn't have done that.
He did make me do all the housework/cooking and shopping though.

byrel · 10/01/2011 20:50

I think your cousin is the weird one. Lokakus story shows why it could potentially be very beneficial to share with a sibling or other close family member. Who would you rather share with a sibling or someone who answers an advert for a flatmate

Southwestwhippet · 10/01/2011 20:57

I shared a flat with my brother a couple of years ago. We got on great except for a few minor domestic disputes. We stopped living together when he bought a house with his GF (now fiancee).

Can't see what the cousin's problem is, I think it is great when families pull together like this.

onceamai · 10/01/2011 21:04

sounds good and sensible.

GandTiceandaslice · 10/01/2011 21:07

If they're renting I don't see what's wrong with it.
If one of them meets the love of their life Wink, then most flats are on a 6 month notice so there's plenty of time for moving on.
They would need a set of basic rules though, like keeping the kitchen clean & not leaving wee on the floor. Hmm

beobelle · 10/01/2011 21:38

I would worry about your cousins mind OP, it doesn't seem strange and it has obvious benefits.

ShoppingDays · 10/01/2011 21:47

YABU.

Spenguin · 10/01/2011 22:03

I think it sounds fine. However, what about boyfriends/girlfriends coming and going...thin walls..ahem? That might make it weird.

IAmReallyFabNow · 10/01/2011 22:10

Have you asked her why she thinks it is weird?

KalokiMallow · 10/01/2011 22:13

"However, what about boyfriends/girlfriends coming and going...thin walls..ahem? That might make it weird."

Isn't it the same if you have any housemates?

Original poster
iwerta · 10/01/2011 22:58

She didn't really explain why she just screwed her face up and said that it was weird

OP posts:
mumeeee · 10/01/2011 23:01

Not weird bht very sensible. Your cousin is being unreasonable.

cerealqueen · 10/01/2011 23:04

Sensible, I did the same, but please please encourage them to get a cleaner as that was what caused all our arguments. He never did any and never saw the need.

cerealqueen · 10/01/2011 23:05

And people did call us Hattie and Eric (for anybody old enough to remember that). Grin

baildonwen · 10/01/2011 23:26

I don't think its weird in the slighest. I'd warn your sister though to specify who is to what or she could quickly become his maid

onmyfeet · 11/01/2011 04:58

Not weird. I have lived with both my brother and my cousin. It is perfectly normal for family to live together.

You're cousin is weird!

onmyfeet · 11/01/2011 04:58

*Your