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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU or is my sister? Money gifted from parents

239 replies

R0sesandTulips · 16/09/2018 17:02

My mum and stepdad have had a flat for years which they’ve rented out with the view that sometime after my sister and I finished uni they’d sell it and split the money equally between us (there’s just us two) to ideally help us with a house deposit. Which of course is absolutely amazingly generous.

Due to circumstances my mum and stepdad hadn’t to keep he flat for a few more years (they had lovely tenants with school age kids who they didn’t want to turf out and tenants couldn’t afford to buy at that point so waited until they were able). Of course this is absolutely fine, their flat, their decision. Although my sister was quite vocal in how displeased she was she wasn’t getting the money right then (she’s a year younger and had been right out of uni ) and was fed up that she had to start renting somewhere.

Fast forward to now and the tenants are in a position to buy and my mum and stepdad are excited to be able to give us both sizeable amounts (talking about £110k ish each, incredibly generous) to help with deposits.

The problem my sister now has with this is that I live in a cheaper part of the UK and that money would go a lot further and perhaps even allow me to be mortgage free (I’ve been living in house shares and saving a deposit of my own for 6ish years) whereas where my sister and her DP want to buy it would be a sizeable drop in the total cost, but they would still have a fairly big mortgage).

My sister has rented a flat since second year of uni and has no savings (prefers to spend on a nice flat and holidays etc, again that’s her choice and I don’t judge her for it because everyone’s different.

My sister has started saying that instead of the money being split equally my parents should do it proportionally. I.e if they want to buy a £300k house she should get the £100k and I should get money proportionate to ge house I’m buying. Houses I’m looking at are in the range of £95-120k) so £30-40k. Then split the rest of the money left between us for furnishing and decorating.

My sister is very vocal and had cut off contact with us all for various things in the past that she’s annoyed about I can tell my parents are really worrying about what would happen if they go ahead and gift us both equal amounts.

I don’t want to be grabby as they absolutely don’t have to give either of us any money and I’m so very grateful for the offer. I’m thinking about just accepting what my sister wants to do and doing it that way but I don’t actually think it’s fair.

AIBU to think she’s being a bit cheeky and I’m being penalised for wanting to buy where property is cheaper and for having savings of my own.

OP posts:
Monday55 · 18/09/2018 08:01

How about you tell your sister that you're planning on buying a flat in Kensington, Chelsea.

Hopefully she'll see how unreasonable she is, as I'm sure she wouldn't be willing to give up any of her share for you either.

Seriously you need to be firm with her, don't get bullied over this.

AngeloMysterioso · 18/09/2018 08:33

In your position I’d explain to your Mum and Stepdad that if they capitulate to your sisters demands you’re going to be hurt and angry, not because you’re missing out on the money but because she’s essentially being handsomely rewarded for being a stroppy, selfish brat.

R0sesandTulips · 01/10/2018 10:35

Just a wee update while I’m back. I’m so very grateful for everyone responses. I did sit down with my parents and told them everything with some points from on here and my stepdad especially was v supportive. My mum, is still worried about my sister going NC but they’ve made it clear to her that the money will be split evenly regardless of where we’ll be living and if it’s not good enough she doesn’t have to accept this. My sister has not spoken to me since this decision (I had been expecting this really but I’m still sad about it. She’s my sister and I love her) but I’m keeping communication open for when/if she comes around. I hope she does. She’s still talking to my parents through so it’s all a bit precarious. But my parents are talking it through with their solicitor and getting it sorted. It is a weight off my mind now and I feel like I can relax a bit and start hunting for houses! My overwhelming emotion is just such gratitude to my parents for giving me this opportunity, trying not to let this overshadow that. I can’t wait for them to come and stay when I get a place and am settled. Smile

OP posts:
twiglet · 01/10/2018 11:03

I'm glad that it's reasonably sorted and you're parents stuck to their original plan definitely don't let it overshadow your excitement.

Also remember that you have nothing to apologise to your sister to she is the one who is behaving like a spoilt brat!

Budgieinaberet · 01/10/2018 11:20

So pleased that your DP's have stood up to her bullying

woollyheart · 01/10/2018 11:25

I should hope she was still talking to your parents. Surely she wasn't going to get any contribution towards a house if she wasn't even speaking to them...

MNOverinvestor · 01/10/2018 13:57

Having had something similar in my family, the difficult DSibling never actually broke off communication with the whole family at the same time. I think your DSis will come round in the end (while always thinking that her plan was so much more sensible, of course), frankly the rest of you sound so nice that she'd be mad not to...

PartAnd · 01/10/2018 14:58

That sounds very positive. I hope you are feeling better now.

Travis1 · 01/10/2018 15:35

Glad your parents didn't give into her pressure and emotional demands. At the end of the day £100k is better than nothing so I wouldn't forsee her going NC with your parents before she gets the money.

SimplyPut · 01/10/2018 17:01

I am really glad you found the courage to speak to your parents. Wishing you well in the future.

Ignoramusgiganticus · 01/10/2018 17:30

Lets hope she doesn't cut them off after she gets her hands on the money.
Well done for speaking to your parents.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 01/10/2018 17:33

Well done op. So glad your mum saw sense.

Happy house hunting Flowers

Neweternal · 01/10/2018 18:21

If she gets off with this, she will be trying it when they're elderly with their will. Parents should be fair and equal with their children and set boundaries for not being manipulated this way.

7yo7yo · 02/10/2018 21:39

I’m please for you op! Good news.

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