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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

That him buying his own place is a step too far?

134 replies

Mollyandmack · 28/10/2020 16:12

DP and I have had long term issues but have a toddler DC. I don't think he is very engaged with family life and spends loads of time on his phone and doesn't seem that excited at all by DC's milestones and daily life. He is very defensive when I've brought it up and seems to focus on the criticism of him being offensive rather than looking at whether it's true. I have the whole mental load and I can't rely on him to remember anything. It feels to me like although he does give DC some attention, it's like a tick box exercise before going back to his phone. He is often zoned out and gets easily bored. All of the issues between us are long and complex but ultimately, I would like to make it work if possible - for many reasons. He has threatened to leave on many occasions - and sometimes I think that would be for the best . But overall, I don't think I feel mentally ready yet to accept it's over yet. Probably I'm too sentimental to just accept it's over. The home we live in is mine and he says he wants to buy a place of his own as a financial investment. I feel that is essentially him just planning his escape while he lingers on with us until it suits him to leave. If this is the case, I would want him to rent something now and go sooner as I don't want him hanging about waiting for a house purchase! He insists it's just an investment. I have pointed out that if we were trying to make a go of things , buying an investment flat would be something we would consider together. He says as the house is mine, he needs his own protection and he's not leaving but buying as an investment flat . I feel I would have no dignity to allow my partner and father of DC to be buying his own flat while carrying on in the meantime with family life in a checked out way and essentially using us, I feel. Am I being unreasonable? Would you allow this to happen or would you suggest that instead of buying, he goes now with a rental property? Or is it reasonable for him to have his own place in the event we can't make it work?

OP posts:
Dopeyduck · 28/10/2020 18:32

You obviously have relationship issues but if we set that aside from the flat.

My DP owned his house, we both lived there. After DS came along we discussed and looked at either extending his house or buying somewhere bigger together. We decided that if we extended his I would buy in but I would also buy myself an investment flat on my own because in the event we separated etc he wouldn’t obviously want to retain his house.

In the end we’ve brought somewhere bigger together as this was the best financial decision and we found somewhere we love, however if we had gone the other way I would have absolutely brought an investment flat, rented it out and kept it as some financial security.

Sorry OP I think YABU!

You own a house, why shouldn’t he?

The fact your relationship is failing is the issue you need to address. If he wants to leave you then flat or no flat he will. If you have so little trust in him perhaps you need to consider options.

You can’t allow or not allow him to make his own choices. He’s your husband, not your pet.

Justnotme · 28/10/2020 18:36

It sounds like it may be a blessing that he does not have any stake in your home. But I feel angry thinking about how you seem to be covering the whole cost of the roof above his and your child’s head, while he saves up for himself.

I think him buying his own place is the least of your worries - it sounds like your child has a completely emotionally unavailable parent in him, a partner who cannot hear your concerns when you raise them, and someone you don’t trust when he talks about his intentions. I suspect if these issues weren’t there, you wouldn’t be too worried about the flat buying issue.

So YANBU to feel insecure in this relationship as you describe it. Please don’t be too hard on yourself if you are finding it hard to accept the relationship is over, it can be really hard to let go, even when we’re letting go of someone who is no good for us or our children. It’s easier for us all to make our comments, but ultimately you who will live with your decisions. What feels right for you?

Ithoughthiswasit · 28/10/2020 18:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MessAllOver · 28/10/2020 18:38

You don't trust him. He doesn't help or contribute. The relationship is dead in the water.

Why do you want him to stick around?

I think you're being a bit controlling on the house issue, actually. I wouldn't have any issue with my DH buying an investment property in his name (though it would make more sense to have it in my name) because I trust him.

The best thing you can do for your own wellbeing is tell him to leave and claim child maintenance.

Pinkyandthebrainz · 28/10/2020 18:42

He clearly wants to leave so just let him go.

JacobReesMogadishu · 28/10/2020 18:42

When we bought our house I was the only one eligible for a mortgage and also put down a 30% deposit but I put dh’s name on the house.

I can totally understand your dp wanting an investment property/security.

I guess if he wasn’t so checked out of the relationship then it wouldn’t be an issue. That needs sorting or the relationship ending. I wouldnt put up with it. He might be looking at a property so he can leave, he might not be. But regardless you can’t carry on like this.

HaggieMaggie · 28/10/2020 18:45

I get the relationship sounds done BUT you are hugely and massively unreasonable to own a property but not expect him to do the same.

Soz and all that.

MoonJelly · 28/10/2020 18:45

OP has every right to decline to continue the relationship - what she does not have a right to do is tell an adult that they are NEVER allowed to own property and, if they do, she intends to do everything to stop them and with then remove their child from them. That's clearly abuse.

But she has never suggested she plans to do any of that.

Making up a total fiction purely in order to attack an OP is taking MN standards of aggression to extremes.

MoonJelly · 28/10/2020 18:47

So the toddler is his, but you have other children as well?

Where does this come from, @sadie9?

mamaoffourdc · 28/10/2020 18:48

An investment property is usually just that "an investment" if he puts tenants in it then he has no where to go! He has a right to be on the property ladder too. I guess you need to have an honest and clear talk with him about is it an investment or a plan to start his own life?

OoohTheStatsDontLie · 28/10/2020 18:51

Hi OP

You own a house, he doesnt, and he is not married. Buying a property as an investment for himself is financially sensible.

If you choose to ignore him saying it's an investment only and take it as a sign he is leaving then things are pretty much over anyway aren't they as you are not taking what he is saying at face value and you're accusing him of lying and not believing what he says. You could be ending your relationship over your inference of what he wants in the future rather than what he actually does want.

To be honest though I am surprised you feel like he is mugging you off by buying an investment property but not by being forced to spend any quality time or show any sort of interest in your child, I think that would be more of a deal breaker for most people

Meili03 · 28/10/2020 18:53

My DP did the same mother to his child wouldn't put me on the mortgage or let me contribute to the property because he didn't want to lose his house.
I'm getting my own property with DD as sick of not feeling financially secure he could throw me out at any time while I clean cook for him he won't move house either . He can come move in or not but it's a deal breaker for me at this point.

FallonCarringtonWannabe · 28/10/2020 18:57

You have two completely different issues here.

The house is yours. It is a good idea for him to buy an investment flat, as long as while he lives in your house he contributes a reasonable percentage to living costs. He has every right to make this investment. It is controlling of you to try to forbid it.

He is a poor father and a poor partner. Your relationship is already over. Committed and loving couples don't frequently threaten to leave.

So if his plan is to buy a flat and move out, why would you want to stop that anyway. If he wants to leave, let him leave. But make sure he is aware of what parenting will look like for him.

BluebellsGreenbells · 28/10/2020 19:04

I’d be asking how he plans to have the toddler 50:50

PurpleFlower1983 · 28/10/2020 19:08

Sorry OP but this reads like you’re not quite ready to end it but ultimately you want to be the one to do the kicking out rather than him leaving to go to his own place. Just end it now, the relationship is over.

Newmumatlast · 28/10/2020 19:14

To be honest I would want to buy my own property if my partner owned our house solely and I wasn't added to the deeds, and especially if we were arguing/the relationship wasnt going well even if I fully intended to work on it. I would advise friends who could do this to do it too. Both partners should be secure. I should also add that some of your language seems controlling. Talking about your dignity if he buys a house. Talking about whether you should allow this. Those sorts of things will only push him further away. He is his own person as are you. You actually have no say in reality in what another person does by the way.

FreshFreesias · 28/10/2020 19:16

I think he’s being unfair OP. YANBU. Some very contrarian posts on here. Some strange people on Mumsnet these days.

k1233 · 28/10/2020 19:17

I don't want to be outing by explaining why, but not everyone is eligible for a mortgage, even with good credit and money behind them.

If he wasn't eligible to be on your mortgage, how will he buy his own property? In cash?

I think you are being very controlling by thinking you can dictate whether or not he can purchase his own property.

The state of your relationship is a totally different issue. If you have issues there, address them, don't confuse them with him buying a property.

MootingMirror · 28/10/2020 19:22

@FreshFreesias

I think he’s being unfair OP. YANBU. Some very contrarian posts on here. Some strange people on Mumsnet these days.
"Strange people" for thinking he should be allowed to spend his own money on a property considering that OP has a property? I'm genuinely curious why you think he's being unfair to want to buy an investment property?
TheABC · 28/10/2020 19:24

The relationship is dead. The good news is that you have the chance to part and parent amicably, without the cost (emotional or financial) of a divorce.

If he stays and buys the flat, you are going to be ever more resentful as you are subsidising his investment (as he is living with you rent-free, but can also rent that place out).

Call it day, OP.

Happygogoat · 28/10/2020 19:24

Why should he not have a property when you do?

If things were going well either of you could/would have suggested that he invest in your property so you own together and reduce the mortgage...

LolaSmiles · 28/10/2020 19:25

Theres two different issues here: his financial security and the state of your relationship.

People here rightly tell women living with a DP in his house to take charge of their financial security, not be paying for someone else's investment without a stake in the property and so on. In your situation you have the house and your DP doesn't but the advice is still valid. It's entirely reasonable for him to buy a property alone for investment. Any partner with assets having an issue with the asset-less partner wanting to acquire some is a giant red flag to me and sounds controlling.

Then there's your relationship which sounds dead in the water, independent of his house purchase.

Jux · 28/10/2020 19:30

Kick him out; at the very least it will make him think seriously about family life and what he actually wants. It will also give you some breathing space to regain some clarity about your own life.

AnotherSlice · 28/10/2020 19:31

OP, you need to focus on the relationship and decide whether YOU want to continue with it. That is the most important thing and the only area where you can take care of yourself.

If you do, then fair dos, do everything you can to make it work - without turning yourself into an exploited doormat...doing all the childcare, paying all the bills, letting him live rent free while he stashes his cash.

However - buying a flat as an investment is a reasonable thing to do. It is a reasonable thing for him to do whatever happens with the relationship. Not buying a flat will not somehow persuade him to be more committed. Buying a flat will not persuade him to stay - though it makes leaving easier. IN the same way that you having your house makes it easier for you to chuck him out.

If you feel he is not committed, does not love you and does not pull his weight and you feel undermined by that then take control and end the relationship.

Stop mithering about the flat. It is irrelevant.

BluebellsGreenbells · 28/10/2020 19:33

If he stays and buys the flat, you are going to be ever more resentful as you are subsidising his investment (as he is living with you rent-free, but can also rent that place out)

Totally agree, his bread is being buttered both ends and he gives nothing in return.

If he said outright ‘OP buy me a flat’ you’d tell him to sod off