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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for more money towards a flat/house?

57 replies

PepsiColaSprite · 18/02/2024 10:31

I know this will probably annoy some people and I'm fully expecting some harsh comments, but I would appreciate your advice nonetheless.

I also appreciate I'm fortunate to have had financial assistance from family already. Sorry if this is long but I want to give the full story.

My parents were alcoholics and divorced when I was 4 years old. My dad moved away soon after and we didn’t see or speak to each other for over 20 years. My mum raised me by herself whilst working a full time job as a carer and my dad didn't contribute any money etc.

Fast forward to now, I'm 29, work full time and have lived alone since I was 19. I wish I'd stayed at home and saved instead to buy my own place but unfortunately I just couldn't live there anymore due to my mums problems (thankfully, she doesn't drink anymore - Dad still does). I moved into a flat which I rented for 5 years and then moved to a family members house which I'm still renting but they want to sell soon. I have always tried to save a bit of money each month but as we all know, it’s not easy whilst paying rent/bills.

I have been trying for the last 3.5 years to buy my own place but it’s just not happened and there seems to have been an obstacle at every junction if I’m honest. I managed to save a 5% deposit on my own but the banks would only lend 90k so my choice was very limited. I know I would have bought somewhere by now if I had a partner but I can’t wait for Mr Right to come along can I. Nonetheless back in 2020, I found a flat within my budget but there were issues with the leasehold and I couldn’t get a mortgage on the property. Then property prices shot up not long after. My Dad and I started speaking again a year later and decided to work on our relationship, and a few months later he offered me money as he could see I was struggling to get on the ladder by myself. He gave me 30k.

Since then I have offered on a few properties but have been outbid as they’ve all gone to best and final. I was then made redundant and was out of work for a couple of months. I managed to find another job but had to take a pay cut, which has made things even harder and reduced my borrowing power. I know it sounds great having all this money in the bank by the way but I’d rather have a nice (nothing fancy) little flat or house and financial security if I’m honest. I don’t really have luxuries or buy myself nice things very often - haven’t been on holiday since 2016, don’t get my hair/nails done, don’t drink etc. I know it might sound silly to a lot of people, but this is my priority.

Anyway, fast forward to today and I’m no closer to getting on the ladder than I was 4 years ago, well that’s how it feels anyway. The point that I’m getting at is that my dad has indicated to me a few times that the money he’s already given me isn’t all of my inheritance and I will get more when he dies. I don’t know how much. For context, my dad has had his own company for over 30 years which is worth around 3 million (his words). He’s made a few comments which indicates that he’s not short of money (for example, said his pension goes in the bank every week but he has no idea how much there is and doesn’t touch/need it etc)

I am meeting him later today and have been debating on whether to ask him for more money as it would make a huge difference to my life now (not in 10, 20 or 30 years time) and make it so much easier for me to buy somewhere. I know this means I’d be written out of his will if he agrees to it. A part of me feels cheeky/entitled for asking but I won’t know unless I ask. I know I’m lucky to be getting anything by the way and as I said, I’m fully expecting some harsh responses, but AIBU? If not, how would you approach this?

Thank you

OP posts:
SecondUsername4me · 18/02/2024 10:33

How much are the owners of the place you are currently renting selling it for?

Ducksinthebath · 18/02/2024 10:37

Is the £30k from your dad ‘safe’ in the bank, or could he withhold it or ask for it back if he takes offence at the request?

I’d be more likely to ask for a loan and hope it was given as a gift.

SeatonCarew · 18/02/2024 10:38

Tell him about how difficult it is when you next see him, but don't ask him for money. That's for him to decide.

corlan · 18/02/2024 10:39

I think it's OK for you to ask and it's OK for him to refuse. It's not cheeky or entitled. You're somebody that's working and trying to make a better life for yourself - that's to be admired.

PepsiColaSprite · 18/02/2024 10:39

@SecondUsername4me I'm not sure as we haven't discussed it and the house hasn't been put up for sale yet. I imagine in the region of £250,000-£300,000. My budget is £130,135,000 so I've got no chance lol.

They also have a daughter who lives a few hours away but might move back in the future so could end up buying the house.

OP posts:
PepsiColaSprite · 18/02/2024 10:41

@Ducksinthebath yes safe in the bank 😊

OP posts:
PepsiColaSprite · 18/02/2024 10:43

@Ducksinthebath By loan, do you mean pay him back rather than getting a mortgage and paying back the bank?

OP posts:
DistingusedSocialCommentator · 18/02/2024 10:44

We would never have given money to our if they asked for it. However, there are expections, EG circumstances beyond their control. We gave all of them several thousand each when they bought their second car as often it was quiet an expensive car and they bought it for cash

A few years back we gave all three in the region of 180k each but one did get more about 40 k to make their life easier as mortgage was massive

A parent will know if they need to help their child

OP, sorry but you do not appear to be ready to buy as to me, you are lving on the edge. How could you afford another interest rate rise, it can happen - how about inflation rising again - what about the repiars, insurance etc and what will you have left behind for rainy days, EG, out of work for several months?

You need to consider those.

My post may seem harsh to the untrained eye, but it a fact of life.
Wait a bit longer, or move to another area where its cheaper - often, ptoperty around the corner can be cheaper.

Good luck

Calvinlookingforhobbs · 18/02/2024 10:44

All you can do is ask. I know I would and I know I’d help my children in every way I can.

user1492757084 · 18/02/2024 10:44

Your 30K bought more four years ago than today. You really need to find a property to buy as soon as you can if that is your aim.
Can you ask your Dad to help you look?
Do you need to look at something different or in a different area?

ATerrorofLeftovers · 18/02/2024 10:44

I agree with PP that it could be more comfortable for both sides for you to ask nicely if he could manage to loan you something. If you ask without any sense of entitlement, explaining your difficulties, he may feel like he wants to help and maybe even you will give a further gift, rather than loaning. It will mean he can consider will feeling less under pressure.

If not a gift, a loan should be better than where you are now, I would have thought? It may be you get nothing, but I think asking for a loan should enable both of you to emerge from this outcome without feeling too aggrieved.

TheSoapyFrog · 18/02/2024 10:45

I'd definitely ask, he can only say no. If he did, I'd see if I can at least negotiate a long term zero interest loan with him.

PossumintheHouse · 18/02/2024 10:46

I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t say there is no harm in you asking. I was in a similar situation to you and was gifted a chunk of money to put towards a house. I needed an extra 20k for our ideal house, and my parents gave it to me. Asking them was particularly difficult for me because our relationship is awful and very complicated (a story for another day) but I have no regrets in asking. Honestly, I couldn’t have afforded my home without their input.

TomeTome · 18/02/2024 10:51

I wouldn’t ask, I’d save harder and wait longer. I appreciate everyone is different though so if it works for you do it.

AnneLovesGilbert · 18/02/2024 10:54

Does he have other children?

IncompleteSenten · 18/02/2024 10:56

I'd ask for a loan rather than a gift.
Show him your calculations and show him how you will be able to pay him back.
Hopefully he will want to help you out.

Ofcourseshecan · 18/02/2024 10:56

OP, I would explain the situation and ask for the sum you need, either from your inheritance or as an interest-free loan. Make it clear you very much appreciate the gift of £30k and plan to use the money for no other purpose than to buy your own home. You’ve done the sums and could manage the mortgage payments on your present salary.

(Personally I think as a deadbeat dad he owes you more than that, but I wouldn’t mention that.)

BreakfastAtMimis · 18/02/2024 10:58

I'd ask. It's hard nowadays, especially if you're trying to buy on your own.

Mementomorissons · 18/02/2024 10:59

I'm interested in this thread and will wait to see more responses, but just to say OP - I was in exactly the same position as you, except I'm older. I've never dared ask my parents for any money, and I haven't got a partner to buy with either so I'm still on the same boat, but 8 years older than you.

I've asked parents for money in the past and they'd always do this thing of saying yes, then hosting a dinner party with friends to make a public announcement about the money they were giving me...then they'd quietly not give it to me and say their circumstances had changed! This happened a few times so I couldn't face asking them for more.

HOWEVER, I don't think that waiting around has done me any favours at all, so I'm wondering if you're better off just going for it and asking your dad, or your mum, and if they say no then maybe just buy somewhere mega cheap? You can definitely get an 'ok' flat for £130k if you're not down south

FiresideDreamer · 18/02/2024 11:02

Have you looked at shared ownership properties ?

Have you looked in a wider geographical area ?

Have you looked at new builds & renovation projects ?

CrappySack · 18/02/2024 11:07

There's definitely no harm in asking.

Fingers crossed he is in a position to help OP.

PepsiColaSprite · 18/02/2024 11:13

Thank you for your replies!

Unfortunately my mum isn't in a position to help. She is on a low income and is still paying off her own mortgage. I know she would if she could as she'd give anyone her last penny.

@AnneLovesGilbert yes he has 3 other children from his first marriage. I'm an only child and he's already made it clear that my half siblings will receive more inheritance than I will as they'll have to share their mums property/assets when she dies, as where I'll get everything from my mum (not actually true as my step dad moved in when I was 15, shares the mortgage and has 2 children of his own) but obviously I don't discuss my mums finances with my dad as it's none of his business.

OP posts:
Spirallingdownwards · 18/02/2024 11:14

Explain the situation to him. Ask whether there is any chance he could lend you a further sum that you would be able to repay either at a low payment rate or by way of repayment when you eventually sell and draw up an agreement to this effect. You never know he may either agree or offer to give you more now. Either way it would need to be declared to the mortgage company.

If I could afford it I would but I would need to afford it for all my kids not just one so there is that to consider too if you have other (half) siblings plus potentially any new DP he may have if it impacts household finances .

Daphnis156 · 18/02/2024 11:15

You could ask, but how many more times would you keep asking?
Even if you bought a place can you afford all the bills, and repairs and maintenance? I would say not.

5128gap · 18/02/2024 11:22

Absolutely ask him. What have you got to lose? Generally I'm not a fan of the entitlement so many people seem to have when it comes to parental help, but quite honestly, if anyone is entitled to a leg up it's the child of an irresponsible alcoholic who has somehow feathered his own nest while abdicating his responsibility for child support; leaving you to make your own way since your teens. Had you had the upbringing a child is entitled to expect, you would have been much further ahead now, and you've done really well to get as far as you have. Rather than a handout, consider it calling in a debt. You may find he's happy to give it anyway to absolve some guilt.