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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Who is BU regarding shared ownership of house?

42 replies

PITAfamily · 30/11/2012 20:18

Person A and person B are related and they own a house together. This came about because person A was moving and person B needed a home, all was fine. Mortgage contributions have always been shared.

Since then Person B and their family have ostracised Person A over another issue and are now demanding that A signs over their half of the house for nothing.

A has looked into it and found several issues that mean it would not be a wise legal move and also feels that as they have been treated so badly, why should they give away their only asset for nothing just because they are being told to. B and family are not used to hearing no when they tell someone what to do.

A has said that B can buy A's share of the house, which has caused the most monumental row and a hell of a lot of abuse being sent/said/written to A.

A is now beginning to wonder s/he is BU and should just sign the house over.

I am neither A nor B, but wanted an honest opinion on what A should do.

OP posts:
KenLeeeeeee · 30/11/2012 20:19

A should definitely seek legal advice on this, and absolutely do not sign over his/her half of the house for nothing.

Original poster
PITAfamily · 30/11/2012 20:21

Thats what I think too, but A seems to be wavering in the face of all the abuse and accusations :(

OP posts:
discrete · 30/11/2012 20:22

How much have each of them contributed towards the equity of the house? Is there any equity in the house, in fact?

bradywasmyfavouriteking · 30/11/2012 20:23

What KL said.

(feels like I am on bounty all over again Wink )

YellowDinosaur · 30/11/2012 20:25

I'm sorry but wtaf should B think that it is reasonable for A to sign the house over for nothing????

MsHighwater · 30/11/2012 20:25

No one should ever give up an asset for nothing unless it is entirely willingly.

Is A vulnerable for some reason? Does A have other support, like other family? Sounds like they need it. Is A in the wrong over the other issue? If so, support might be harder to come by.

expatinscotland · 30/11/2012 20:28

NO WAY should A do jack shit without seeing a solicitor AND keeping a record of all the abuse and harrassment. Who gives a toss that B isn't used to hearing no? Too bad.

Original poster
PITAfamily · 30/11/2012 20:33

A married someone the family didnt approve of so they didnt attend the wedding and cut A and the children off completely. The only contact has been to demand that A signs the paperwork that B's solicitor has prepared, to sign over the house. B's solicitor is under the impression that A has agreed to this.

A has me and my family! I am married to A in case you hadn't guessed :o

OP posts:
YellowDinosaur · 30/11/2012 20:41

A should tell them to fuck off.

B needs to either pay market rate for A's share of the house, they need to sell the house and split any profit / negative equity or if b refuses to sell then a can rent out his room / rooms and rent elsewhere.

The only way I'd sign it over if I were A is if the house was in significant negative equity with no prospect of market recovery and B was prepared to take this on. I'm presuming this is not the case...

OpheliaPayneAgain · 30/11/2012 20:47

A can force a sale, as can B.... assets would be 50/50 - on the assumption they were not married and have childen together/there is tennents in common clause deciseding percentages

Original poster
PITAfamily · 30/11/2012 20:48

The house definitely has equity, quite a lot in fact which is why I think they are so desperate to get him to sign it over.

OP posts:
nannyl · 30/11/2012 20:53

anyone who demands someone just gives then half a house is being VVVU

(surprised you even needed to ask tbh!)

OpheliaPayneAgain · 30/11/2012 20:57

Im surprised you are asking this if your marriage is 'sage' ... if it's rocky and you are being oressured you need legal advice

QueenStromba · 30/11/2012 22:47

Is person B on the mortgage or deeds?

MummytoKatie · 01/12/2012 04:33

Does A regularly give people who are nasty to him thousands of pounds?

Because I'd like a trip to the Maldives and think A is a big fat smelly bottom! A cheque would be fine. Wink

Seriously though - get A to a solicitor and ask them for advice. It will cost you £00 but better that than losing £0000.

Grumpla · 01/12/2012 04:38

I'm probably being terribly cynical but I think a letter to the solicitor making it very clear that these documents were drawn up without his knowledge / agreement and he has no intention of signing them might be useful.

Just in case "his" signature happened to turn up on them one day.

ImperialStateKnickers · 01/12/2012 05:02

Might be worth reposting in Legal - get Mumblechum and Co on the case!

Meanwhile remove all pens from DH so he can't sign anything...

Bluegrass · 01/12/2012 05:08

So the question is, if someone is really nasty should you hand them a valuable asset for nothing?

Hmmm....tricky, but I'm just about coming down on the side of 'why in the name of fuckitty fuck would you even consider this!'.

Is he very rich so can afford to give away thousands just for a quieter life?

Valdeeves · 01/12/2012 06:17

Oh my God - don't give them the house! Who are they???

Valdeeves · 01/12/2012 06:18

Why don't they approve of you? Your poor husband to have such a horrible family.

MerryChristMoose · 01/12/2012 07:05

A bit technical this, but do you know if they hold the title to the property as Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common? If it is as Joint Tenants you need to get that severed ASAP. Go and see a Solicitor.

Allice · 01/12/2012 07:41

Think Grumpla's advice is very good. In the first instance write to B's solicitor.

Who is B in relation to your husband?

BlueberryHill · 01/12/2012 07:58

Go seek legal advice asap, if they think it is necessary they will write to B's solicitor. Keep a record of all the harassment, discuss it with the solicitor and report it to the police. Your solicitor will be able to advise you on steps that can be taken to protect your asset, it depends how it is held and any mortgage considerations. He / she will also be able to tell you how you can realise the money held in it. If you choose to sell it, be careful, make sure that a friend of A's doesn't buy it / act as the agent etc to reduce the price of the sale fraudulently.

Don't engage directly with the family, refer every piece of correspondence to your solicitor. Let your solicitor take the pressure of communication with them.

HECTheHallsWithRowsAndFolly · 01/12/2012 08:03

Why the hell should someone GIVE someone else half a house!

Can you force a sale on the open market? I'd go down that route.

diddl · 01/12/2012 08:07

So in effect B moved into A´s home?

Or they both needed a place at the same time so bought jointly?

Either way I hope A looks after their interest.

Seems unbelievable that someone might hand over a 50%(?) share of a house because they cba to say no!