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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to leave a friend in the lurch?

69 replies

ARoundSoundLikeGround · 11/10/2013 21:17

Back story; my OH and I have been saving for years for a deposit on a house. We finally found the first home of our dreams and, after a few cold-feet moments on his part, placed an offer which was accepted.

In preparation, we handed in our notice at our lovely rented accommodation - he will be moving in with his parents with the dog at the end of the month and I have moved in with a friend who also happens to live considerably closer to my work. (There's not enough room at his parents for us both, plus thats a situation I wouldn't want to be in!)

OH started to have wobbles (about his work life mainly) and it resulted in some serious arguing and a real contemplation as to whether we should go through with the house buy. But its all resolved and everything is hunky dory.

Friend - let's call her Jane - knows about everything.

The original plan was for me to move in with Jane for about six months whilst we renovate the house, OH would stay at his parents. However Jane has been having a lot of problems recently; a (not close) family member died and she broke up with her boyfriend (thus the need of a housemate).

I moved in about 5 weeks ago, and was a little shocked about the house. It had never been a clean house - quite student-accomodation like - but liveable. However the place is now a tip. Kim & Aggy, don't take your shoes off, don't touch the walls shit tip. The carpet looks like someone has given birth on it, you can't really tell though through the inch thick layer of black dog hair from her (extremely large) dog. Betty (the dog) was sick the other night and Jane simply scraped up the sick bits and left it at that.

I cannot explain how filthy this house is, but trust me it is disgusting. She works from home so I have no idea how she can cope with it.

Unfortuantely I'm never there long enough to clean significantly (I basically only stay overnight - back about 6pm leave at 6am) and I certainly don't have time to add to the mess ( I eat dinner at work because I'm a bit frightened off the kitchen which is crawling with dirt) I study in the evenings a lot.

On top of this, Jane seems to have flipped. Before she was the nicest person I knew, now it seems like I can't say anything without her trying to twist it into an argument. Everything I say gets a huge inquisition and (being quite insecure) I'm finding this really hard to cope with.

The house sale is due to complete in 4-5 weeks.
Jane desperately needs a housemate (though clearly doesn't want one) and probably will struggle to find another after me because of how big and badly behaved Betty is and the state of the house.

But I really don't think I can stay there any longer being belittled and having to shower at work because I can't seem to get clean in her bathroom.

WIBU to give her 4 weeks notice on Monday and move into the new house (which is liveable, all problems are cosmetic) and leave Jane in the lurch financially?

(I have endless sympathy for her re: her current circumstances (boyfriend, family death) but this happened months ago and she just seems to be getting worse.)

OP posts:
ARoundSoundLikeGround · 12/10/2013 09:49

I have tried again and again to help her clean. I'm away weekends and only have 4 hours or so in the evenings, 2 of which are studying.

If you have ever tried to clear up an extreme amount of filth caused me someone who simply wipes a dirty cloth about then declares it finished you'd understand why I'm not inclined to spend my few hours a week that are free cleaning up a room that will just be filthy again in a week

OP posts:
ARoundSoundLikeGround · 12/10/2013 09:57

May I add that I she isn't doing me a favour at all. I moved in early because she desperately needed a housemate. I could have remained with OH for a month before he moved out. I'm paying way above normal for a room in our city. I have made a huge effort to clean the house despite the fact we were ankle deep in filth when I moved in - not my mess.

How exactly am I not pulling my weight? Because I can't dedicate hours and hours to deep clean someone else's mess?

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 12/10/2013 10:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blueballoon79 · 12/10/2013 10:09

Just give your notice and leave.

People like that don't change. I speak from experience.

My sister and brother in law live like that. They're both lovely people who work very hard at their jobs but don't seem to care one iota about the complete and utter shit pit they live in.

They have two dogs and do the same as your friend if the dogs are sick- just scrape it up, or if the dogs pee on the carpet, it's just a quick wipe with a damp cloth.

There's overflowing ashtrays, half full take away cartons, cans of beer and dirty clothes lying round everywhere.

I once thought that they maybe found it overwhelming to clean it considering what a state it was so I went round every week and spent my whole Saturday cleaning it. It would take over 10 hours and I'd feel filthy afterwards from scrubbing at the grime and filth. However the whole house would be spotless and smelling fresh by the time I left.

I once even took 9 bin bags full of dirty washing back to my house to wash for them as I thought it was just getting on top of them.

But the house would end up in the same state the following week I went round with dirty clothes strewn everywhere, food, dog piss, dog vomit etc all over the carpet.

I gave up cleaning as I could tell they just weren't bothered about living like that.

And no, they don't have depression, they just don't care. I'm another who finds it insulting when people automatically presume people are depressed when in fact it's just laziness. Some people are just lazy, moody whatever.

Mia4 · 12/10/2013 10:30

Just as Jane should do what's best for her, you should do what's best for you OP. However, I do think if she's your friend then you should be (brutally if necessary) honest with her as to why you are moving out early. She was lucky a friend would put up with that, a paying tenant would say 'jog on'.

Hogwash · 12/10/2013 10:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NynaevesSister · 12/10/2013 11:08

Aarrgghhh a penis beaker with bristles!

I think when you make these kinds of posts you have to be very clear. People don't half skim read! So many of the replies here show that clearly they didn't read your op properly.

Hogwash · 12/10/2013 11:28

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mojavewonderer · 12/10/2013 11:35

Ditch her and move into your new house ASAP. YANBU at all. I would go and stay in a b&b because I just couldn't cope even visiting a house like that!

ARoundSoundLikeGround · 12/10/2013 11:36

Deep Cleans are upwards of £200.
That's one hell of a present

OP posts:
hermioneweasley · 12/10/2013 11:37

Just give notice. Thedifficulty she'll have getting another lodger if get house is like that may be the wake up call she needs.

Hogwash · 12/10/2013 11:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleBairn · 12/10/2013 11:47

Why should the OP pay to clean someone else's filth?
People like this also don't appreciate it, give it a few weeks the house will be in the same condition.

I would move out ASAP.

ARoundSoundLikeGround · 12/10/2013 12:31

I think I'm going to have to give notice. I'm glad nobody thinks AIBU for leaving at least

OP posts:
cjel · 12/10/2013 13:06

No definitely don't think you are being U!!

TheUnsinkableTitanic · 12/10/2013 13:22

yanbu. think of the money you will save towards own house

SarahBumBarer · 12/10/2013 13:42

You're a lodger right? So in the same way that she could just kick you out with minimal notice I don't think you have to give anything like 4 weeks notice. It is actually very nice of you to do so and YANBU for not wanting to live like that.

I would be honest with her about the house. I just can't imagine living like that - it must be utterly draining and depressing (in a non-clinincal sense) and without someone to do a Kim and Aggy style make-over I don't know how you would get out if this. If Jane were my friend and had been as good a friend as you say she has in the past I would be honest with her and offer to help - give up one of your weekends - provided she pulls her weight in getting things ship-shape. I would have thought that a (previously) good friendship would deserve that.

Hogwash · 12/10/2013 20:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whois · 12/10/2013 21:51

Oh just give her notice and move out!

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