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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

PILs get into debt to buy BIL's house - AIBU

62 replies

CrazyFrogg007 · 10/02/2020 10:51

Hello, I name changed for this, I know I am being very unreasonable, but just have to get it off my chest.

Me and DH in our late 30s live far away from our families, but we still meet several times a year for long periods, we always spend the summer holidaystogether etc.
We moved away in our late 20s and since then had DCs, I had to stop working effectively to care full time for my kids as I had absolutely zero support in all these years, kids were all on me, my DH's job has been very demanding from the start, reasonably well paid, but we didn't qualify for any sort of state help, so basically I was SAHM and he was advancing his career. I am not complaining about this, it was our choice and we thought that was fair at that time.
As a result we're still renting but have finally started thinking about buying a property and for the last couple of years have been trying hard to save for the deposit. We would have really appreciated a gift sum towards the desposit and who wouldn't?
In that time we have never asked for anything money-related from PILs because they were caring for other relatives and we knew that their expenses were high.
They have offered a few times to help us by offering things that we thought are not sustainable or just not affordable at that time, like leaving their jobs and coming to live with us to take care of DGC, which would have required us to move to a bigger house, we had to pay them so they don't lose work years - fair enough - I had my doubts that they would really be able to move away from their home and everyone they've known all their lives, so we declined so they don't suffer financially because of us. They offered to mortgage their house again for a long period in order to help us with the deposit, but as they're in their 60s, however still working and receiving a pension, we couldn't accept (again) it as it could potentially leave them in a very precarious situation, so we declined again.
So fast forward a few years and BIL who lives close to PILs is expecting his first DC and has decided to buy his own place. He also can't afford the deposit, so there go my PILs again, mortgaging their home for years into their retirement to pay for his deposit.
AIBU to think this is massively unfair towards DH, who has been working hard his whole life and has been trying to do the right thing by not getting his DPs into debt?
Or have we been terribly arrogant by assuming what other people can and can't afford?
I also feel terribly stupid for not taking what was on offer, for never asking for anything, not even for my children, for declining offers for help, and now I think our children are going to be treated unfairly because we've been too principled.

I know I'm BU, it's their house, they can do as they please with it, but it hurts to feel unvalued and unsupported and I feel unreasonably jealous.

OP posts:
kateandme · 10/02/2020 13:12

there are often times in life that good people wish they werent so good/nice/moral etc because you seem on the front of it get so far ahead by being a dick half the time.and your not UR for yearning for what you need and wish for.your human. and being nice doesnt grow money!so dont feel bad for that.
but dont think your loved less or anything.they offered you all your bil is getting and maybe more. you did the right thing by not accepting.
i know that doesn help much when your not getting a house which you really need and your brother is. but how could you have lived and felt if in a few years if you had said yes your in laws were in the crapper and out on their ass and needing care.that would have been so painful for you.

UYScuti · 10/02/2020 13:12

He took the money and he is now beholden to them, you are free and you can leave him to do the elder care when it comes to it😊

IndecentFeminist · 10/02/2020 13:22

Depends on the parents tbh. Mine offered both my sister and I a deposit from their mortgage when we were younger, they were both retired. Shed loads of equity in the house, good pensions etc.

If they were talking pulling £25k down, bringing total mortgage to say £75k on a £500k house, with them both fit and well etc it is a totally different ball game to a £100k drawdown on a £250k house etc.

CrazyFrogg007 · 10/02/2020 13:26

LovePoppy I am not sure if we would have accepted it, but I think we could have talked more in detail about it and see possible scenarios and then decide...

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 10/02/2020 13:33

YABU to feel un valued and unsupported but you wouldn’t be unreasonable to be a little cross with you right BiL for accepting something which is likely not in your ILs best interests. But given they offered, he was quite entitled to accept.

You’ve been thoughtful and caring so don’t beat yourself up too much.

KickAssAngel · 10/02/2020 13:41

YABU to feel like this is favoritism. You were given the same offer. In fact, it sounds like if you'd taken them up on it, they would not be able to help out BIL, so being offered it first actually shows favoritism to you.

However, this is incredibly risky & foolish for PIL and BIL. You did the right thing to turn them down and be as independent as possible.

If they suddenly need care, this could be seen as deprivation of assets & BIL might be forced to return the money. PIL may want to helo out their children, but it's only a good idea if they can genuinely afford to give away money.

Inherdefence · 10/02/2020 13:44

@saraclara makes a good point. They may have felt hurt or rejected when you declined their offer, sometimes it’s nice to feel needed and useful. Helping BIL might not be a good decision for them financially but it might make them happy.

Looking things logically your feelings aren’t rational or logical but emotions are often illogical. You can’t help what you feel.

I would try and look past this towards the day when you will be proud homeowners who achieved that position independently.

WorraLiberty · 10/02/2020 13:45

I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but if your DH is reasonably well paid, you should have gone out to work if you wanted to save for a deposit.

It's not easy, but having children and earning a living rarely is.

No-one should be happy to take your PIL's money here.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 10/02/2020 13:49

YANBU to feel that they are being foolish with their finances.

But all esle is down to choices. You and you DH made yours. Your BIL will have to deal with his when the time comes!

yogo · 10/02/2020 13:53

I would have grateful accepted their kind offer like BIL did, not fair for you to feel envious when it could have been you. They tried to help and you said no, they can't force money on you

Etinox · 10/02/2020 14:41

Nice response OP
Flowers

LovePoppy · 10/02/2020 16:53

What has changed between then and now that you’d talk it over @CrazyFrogg007?

Is it just that you thought this offer would always be open to you in case you needed it? And now you’re feeling put out because the offer is no longer there because it’s gone to your brother-in-law?

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