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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to just leave their stuff?

152 replies

AndroidsConundrum · 11/05/2018 15:20

This is going to be massively outing, but sod it!

I live with my DP in a duplex flat. DP owns the flat, I'm not on the mortgage and I don't have a tenancy agreement (yes, I know, but I can't afford a solicitor to draw up an equity agreement and work part-time, still a student) At Christmas, DP's mate was planning to split up with his girlfriend and at my suggestion (to save him continuing to live with her to save money in spite of wanting to break up with her!) I said this mate should come and stay with us. In January, he split and moved in. In late February, DP asked whether I wanted to make it a longer-term thing. The mate (FM, flatmate!) started paying us rent and moved upstairs. He also doesn't have an official agreement.

I like FM. We've been friends for as long as I've known DP. We get on well, and back in January I was working really long hours and DP was studying so it was nice to have company and have someone to go to the pub with. He moans about DP a lot (they moan about each other) and because DP and I weren't getting along, it was nice to have someone who kind of knew where I was coming from. FM can be a bit sexist and direct, and he likes to explain things to me at length like my job but apart from that he's an alright guy.

And now he's been living here for months. We share cooking, shopping and bills between the three of us. FM and DP used to live together for a few years when I was at uni, and apparently have similar high standards for flat cleanliness. They expect the surfaces in the kitchen clean, cooker clean, all things put away and no 'clutter' at any time. FIY their old flat was a shithole and hardly ever met this standard.

FM doesn't like my cooking. He complains to DP all the time that I'm messy, or leave my stuff in the kitchen (laptop and shoes and things) or don't clean the cooker every night. DP agrees. FM is aggressive and mean to me one minute and then sweet as fuck the other times. He correct me during conversations, or argues with me about politics or whatever endlessly. He does the same to DP who will have 'a chat' about how I'm spoken to, yet simultaneously agree with him.

Last week, I'd gone out to a class, then come back and was sat working in the kitchen. The kitchen wasn't clean, granted, and I was making stuff for lunches for the week. FM came in from the gym, stood there with his arms folded for about five minutes then demanded that I clean the kitchen because he can't cook. I (probably badly) responded "don't cook then". He went for a shower, I cleaned the kitchen. He came back, started telling me I was rude, arrogant and disrespectful and should apologise for my comment. Then said that I didn't understand shared space, that I am messy, leave my stuff everywhere, and I'm childish. I left and went to work in a cafe. DP comes home, FM has told him that I stropped for half an hour because he'd reasonably asked me to clean up, and started being a bitch about it. DP came to the cafe and asked me to make peace and apologise! Later he said that he's often told me to clean up, and that I generally tend to throw a massive stop and pointedly don't clean just to piss him off. That I act like a twelve year old, moan about FM all the time and if I was just cleaner, neither of them would have a go at me.

I do the majority of the cleaning. I clean the bathroom and the kitchen and do the dishwasher and hoover and dust and shop... for the last two weeks I've been making sure absolutely none of my stuff is left anywhere (I've done this experiment a couple of times to "keep peace") and all the dishes, shoes, coats etc are FM's. He's left dishes out. Nobody's hoovered. I've cooked and nobody's been in to eat it. FM shaves in his bathroom and leaves hairs on the floor. I had to ask him three times to clean the bathroom because it hadn't been done for two months. DP hasn't cleaned anything apart from wiping the kitchen/cooker for three weeks and counting.

AIBU to just leave all the stuff to prove a point? DP thinks I'm being childish but it's his stuff left out too. They're as bad as each other and I'm fucking sick of being painted out to be the messy one!

OP posts:
elisenbrunnen · 11/05/2018 16:05

Sounds like the cleaning and housework is your job because you are female.

Move out. It'd be more expensive, but bliss!

ChevalierTialys · 11/05/2018 16:05

You need to have a serious conversation with DP about FM moving out. Either that, or move out yourself. This is only going to get worse.

passmetheloppers · 11/05/2018 16:05

Leave their shit. If they want to live in a shithole, let them.

You're not three people sharing a flat together. You and your dp are a couple, and he isn't behaving like one half of a couple, is he?. He needs a kick up the arse.

FM is a lodger and he isn't behaving like one. Next time he is rude to you, remind him that he is only a lodger, and you are not his skivvy.

Merryoldgoat · 11/05/2018 16:06

Pack and leave. No kids, no ties to the place - great.

Is there a family member you can stay with until you find a flat share or similar.

Your DP and his friend sound awful.

ChevalierTialys · 11/05/2018 16:06

apart from that he's an alright guy

No, he isn't.

RhiWrites · 11/05/2018 16:07

FM can be a bit sexist and direct, and he likes to explain things to me at length like my job but apart from that he's an alright guy.

Really? I wouldn’t want to live with a misogynist mansplainer myself or think him a nice guy.

Willow2017 · 11/05/2018 16:07

Why is the lodger telling you to clean up his shit?
Why are you doing all the cleaning and they are bitching to each other you arent doing it to thiet non existent standards. What they mean is they have standards they want you to keep but cant be arsed to do anything themselves.

If fm leaves stuff around pile it all up in corner of kitchen and tell him to clean it up you arent the fucking housemaid.

Tell your dp that fm is out by emd pf month or you are.

Fm isnt nice at all that's just a front for his lazy, misogynist ways which he probably justifies as you misunderstanding him or 'banter'. He sees you as his housekeeper and its his duty to make sure you do your job properly and your dh hasnt the backbone to tell him to stfu nor appatently do his share of housework either

You are living with 2 giant kids who expect you to look after their every need. Sod that.

Get angry and tell them you are done with it all.

AntiHop · 11/05/2018 16:08

Bloody hell op. Yanbu. Things need to change. They are both being arseholes.

If you really think your relationship has a future then I'd tell your partner that his friend has to leave and his own behaviour has to change.

I don't understand what you're saying about the financial situation. When dp and I bought our flat, it was in both our names even though he was a student and working part time.

UpstartCrow · 11/05/2018 16:10

If your DP believed you really owned a percentage of the flat you'd have something in writing. You don't, because he doesn't.

Flat mate thinks he is dominant. Your DP looks up to him and will never stand up to him.

Its a mess. It isn't going to improve by itself, your DP is making things worse.
Your seeing a solicitor to sort out equity could make things go very bad very fast. Have a bolt hole and escape plan sorted out just in case.

AndroidsConundrum · 11/05/2018 16:12

I haven't paid into the deposit, just rent plus some furniture. DP is reluctant to put me on the deeds because he (and his family) put a massive amount of deposit in. So the solicitor would need to draw up an equity agreement whereby his deposit is protected, but I own the amount I've paid in rent. If I did this, he'd put me on the deeds/mortgage.

OP posts:
Cornishclio · 11/05/2018 16:15

Clear up after yourself and leave their mess. Stop keeping the peace and for goodness sake stop cooking for them. You are not their housekeeper but they are treating you like it. Sexist pratts both of them.

I would do that because they are both ganging up on you when they are just as messy. I am also a bit concerned you are not on the deeds.

DriveInSaturday · 11/05/2018 16:15

So why can't BF pay for the solicitor to do this?

Ketayuzu · 11/05/2018 16:16

This sounds like a horrible situation. It doesn't sound like the 3 of you living together works and you should talk to your OH about asking FM to move out. Also your FM is a dick and you should stop defending his dickishness.

Apart from that I think not moving or cleaning any of their stuff- whilst at the same time being miraculous about clearing after youself seems a good plan. Leave nothing of yours out but work around the rest. Do the bare minimum to keep yourself sane but do not get caught up in any discussion.
And then calmly point out in a conversation where all 3 of you are there that the flat is a shit tip and none of it is yours. That you refuse to live with such disgusting slobs and they need to get their act together.

But mainly talk to your OH and get FM out

Mookatron · 11/05/2018 16:16

There's a third wheel in the relationship. Is it the friend or you? Decide which, and that one moves out. Seriously.

GorgonLondon · 11/05/2018 16:16

You don't own the flat. He does. You didn't pay for it. Buying 'some furniture' doesn't mean you own the flat, it means you own the furniture.

You didn't pay any deposit, you are not paying off a mortgage, you've just been renting some space in his flat, like his mate - and also without a tenancy agreement, like his mate.

BewareOfDragons · 11/05/2018 16:16

Wow.

You shouldn't be doing most of the cleaning up.

And FM should be told very clearly by your 'D'P that if he's not happy he can leave, end of.

Although, frankly, I don't know why you want to live there.

DriveInSaturday · 11/05/2018 16:16

That was to android about the equity agreement.

AndroidsConundrum · 11/05/2018 16:17

If fm leaves stuff around pile it all up in corner of kitchen and tell him to clean it up you arent the fucking housemaid

FM does this to me. We went away for the weekend and I came back to my post/laptop/charger that I'd left on the kitchen table piled up in front of our bedroom door.

DP doesn't want FM to move out because he thinks it'll ruin their friendship. He said if I want to ask FM to move out, he'd support me. I spend 60% of my time getting pissed off with them both, demanding they do stuff, and calling them sexist pricks, and 40% of my time arguing with them that I'm no messy and a pain and a stroppy child. DP is absolutely sick of living in conflict all the time, and tells me to be nice and to just make friends, and that it's temporary.

OP posts:
Ketayuzu · 11/05/2018 16:17

Also re equity agreement. You draw up when you need, call solicitor and explain what you need. It will cost less than £100. Just do it

YouBetterWORK · 11/05/2018 16:17

To be honest I'd cut your losses and sack the pair of them off, either that or ultimatum time - and MEAN it. Don't fall for the charm and "I'll have a word" ploy. You gave them their chance.

Either FM goes or you do. And that means as his partner as well, who would want to stay in a relationship being treated like shite and where he won't stand up for you?

VivaKondo · 11/05/2018 16:17

I wouldn’t be able to live with either of them.
Even with FM out of the equation, your DP clearly thinks that HW is woman’s work and should be done to very high standards whilst doing fuck all himself.

Yes you can try the experiment again and stop doing anything around the house bar your own stuff.
You could also stop cooking for them. (Why on earth cooking for people who can’t be bothered to turn up or tell you if they will be there or not??).
But I think it’s a lost battle already.
Your DP isn’t going to change. Nor is the FM.

The best you can do is to go and see a sollicitor and see if you can get part of the flat/morgage back. And plan to live on your own.
(Sorry I appreciate this is not the outcome you are hoping for)

AndroidsConundrum · 11/05/2018 16:18

You didn't pay any deposit, you are not paying off a mortgage, you've just been renting some space in his flat, like his mate - and also without a tenancy agreement, like his mate.

Yep... pretty much.

Just to clarify the cooking, we all do it on rotation.

OP posts:
TheHodgeoftheHedge · 11/05/2018 16:19

If your BF gave a shit, he'd have had the solicitor draw up that equity agreement to do that or use your "rent" to do so. He obviously isn't exactly strapped for cash as per your OP.
Instead you have a housemate you don't need who treats you horribly and he sides with and you have nothing.

LittleGreySheep · 11/05/2018 16:20

Pay for the solicitor to draw up the equity agreement. Then bugger off and demand your share.

If you intend to stay, stop doing so much cleaning. Make a fair rota and have a go at them if they don't stick to it. Start documenting stuff they've left lying around by texting them photos of it and commenting e.g. Third time this week you've left your shoes on the floor. Then they can't deny it and there's a record that you can point to if you argue.

YouBetterWORK · 11/05/2018 16:20

Just read your update, temporary my arse. FM has his feet under the table, he won't be going anywhere. And why should you be "nice", god it's depressing how women are always expected to be treated like shite under the "be nice and don't fuss" excuse.