Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What is she up to?

807 replies

DontVisitCabotCove · 25/02/2024 16:18

DB, his partner “Jane” & her 2 kids have been staying with me - in my house - after the house they were buying fell through. They had been looking at other properties to buy but have since decided to end their relationship so that’s no longer happening.

Yesterday while my DB and I were out and unbeknownst to me, Jane had an estate agent over to value my house & as he was leaving he told her he’d send her an email with the valuation & they were talking about viewings etc.

Today Jane asked me to give her a letter stating that my brother is living here but wouldn’t tell me why she wanted it & was really unhappy when I said I’d give her a letter saying they were both temporarily staying with me as that’s the actual truth.

What on earth could she be up to? I’m honestly baffled!

Should I tell her that I know about the valuation? Should I tell my DB about all of this?

On one hand I don’t want to get involved in their troubles or make things worse (things are bad enough between them already) but on the other hand I feel I’m being drawn into it as it’s my bloody house she had valued!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
mirax · 26/02/2024 11:39

DontVisitCabotCove · 25/02/2024 21:54

Thanks again guys, I feel a bit of an idiot to be honest as any sort of fraud didn’t even enter my mind. My head is all over the place with trying to come to terms with my updated prognosis plus physically coping with treatment; I’m not usually this much of a dummy, I swear! Thank goodness for MN and also for the delivery driver putting my parcel in my wheelie bin instead of ringing the bell.

To answer some more questions:

  1. All my ID and personal documents are completely secure, they’re in a locked safe that no one (apart from my parents who are my LPAs) even knows about
  2. Due to my illness, my affairs are all in order and I have a solicitor so when I contact them about the Form LL restriction, I’ll check if there’s anything else I need to do
  3. I didn’t give Jane the letter she asked for so she won’t have a copy of my signature
  4. No I don’t have children and yes my DB is set to inherit (along with my other siblings) but as they’re not married I don’t believe she will have a claim on anything
  5. Yes their house purchase genuinely fell through and I have no suspicions about my DB’s motives as he’s already benefitted but Jane will definitely be worse off now they’ve broken up
  6. I don’t know much about Jane’s rental situation apart from her move in date and that she needs some furniture which I offered
  7. I have a DP but we don’t live together full time (due to him having kids) but he’s away at the moment

My DB is absolutely furious as obviously I don’t need this right now and he’s as baffled as I am. He’s told me he’ll get to the bottom of it though and get me the name of the estate agent and also encouraged me to log it with police as some of you have.

Relieved to know that you have family and partner support and are on top of the situation, OP. Now please concentrate on your health and wellbeing.

Bouledeneige · 26/02/2024 11:48

I haven't seen a better example of RTFT in a long time. A lot of posters making assumptions re DB's fatherhood and assets or posting exactly the same advice as everyone else (register with the land registry) or kick her out.

I wish you luck OP. Please do let us know what more you discover about the estate agents and what she was up to. It's really odd and awful. I hope you can trust your DB and that he had no part in it. I hope your health improves and you don't have to continue dealing with such hassles.

SerafinasGoose · 26/02/2024 11:53

Glad to hear you are escalting this OP, and am really sorry to hear about your illness.

These chancers always strike when their intended targets are at their most vulnerable. The mistake normal, empathetic people tend to make is to assume that no one could sink this low.

Your DB is right, and in your shoes I'd have no conscience about reporting this to the police.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 26/02/2024 11:56

BobbyBiscuits · 25/02/2024 22:18

Serve her notice to leave in however many weeks you have to legally. Obviously tell her the reason is because she is having your house valued and seemingly trying to sell it?! She sounds utterly mad. Tell your brother you are kicking her out and why. Also speak to the EA who came round. Find out how she was playing the whole thing, if she was fully claiming to be the owner, literally organising viewings etc. She sounds like a total nightmare.
After notice served, do not speak to her or engage with her unless absolutely necessary.

Why would she have to serve her notice? It's family staying with her as a favour.

BobbyBiscuits · 26/02/2024 12:07

@PinkSparklyPussyCat I know but she could kick up a stink about it legally. That way she's officially no longer being housed there. For example if she wanted to go to the council, saying she needed a flat, it shows she has been kicked out. If I was OP I'd do this to be safe. Seeing as the woman seems to be trying to flog her bloody house!?

coldcallerbaiter · 26/02/2024 12:12

LittleGlowingOblong · 25/02/2024 20:42

Does your DB stand to inherit from you, OP?

God forbid they’ve both moved in with ill intent!!

I wonder this. Is db complicit? Jane would have no interest unless she is in an agreement with db. Db is the benefactor.

Or is Jane is considering reuniting with db and wants to know the house value or wants to be part of an eventual sale.

Suchagroovyguy · 26/02/2024 12:22

I’m a bit dubious still about the brother.

Caroparo52 · 26/02/2024 12:22

shreknjumps · 25/02/2024 16:41

"It seems obvious to me - she wants to be able today “Fred is adequately housed in a house worth £XXX. Therefore I should get most / all our joint assets to house me and the children.”"

Yep, it's obviously for this reason. Not that it'll make any difference but she's giving it a good go anyway

Good thinking... that sounds plausible... sneaky cow

Rosscameasdoody · 26/02/2024 12:28

Suchagroovyguy · 26/02/2024 12:22

I’m a bit dubious still about the brother.

Me too. And if he stands to inherit OP’s house, I’d be changing my will pronto if he turns out to be complicit in this.

Rosscameasdoody · 26/02/2024 12:30

TheSnakeCharmer · 25/02/2024 22:09

How do you know they were discussing your house and not rental properties or the valuation of another property?

Why would the EA be at the OP’s house if that were the case ?

MILTOBE · 26/02/2024 12:31

Rosscameasdoody · 26/02/2024 12:28

Me too. And if he stands to inherit OP’s house, I’d be changing my will pronto if he turns out to be complicit in this.

Show quote history

What part of they'd separated and he'd packed up all her things means that he was in cahoots with her?

pinkyredrose · 26/02/2024 12:32

mydamnfootstuckinthedoor · 26/02/2024 11:08

Do not give her any such letter. She is clearly valuing your house and asserting he lives there in order to add it to their marital assets.

Except they're not married.

pinkyredrose · 26/02/2024 12:35

BobbyBiscuits · 26/02/2024 12:07

@PinkSparklyPussyCat I know but she could kick up a stink about it legally. That way she's officially no longer being housed there. For example if she wanted to go to the council, saying she needed a flat, it shows she has been kicked out. If I was OP I'd do this to be safe. Seeing as the woman seems to be trying to flog her bloody house!?

She was never officially housed there, she was there as a favour, she has no rights and certainly doesn't need to be given notice.

People do spout some shite on here.

Silverbirchtwo · 26/02/2024 12:37

Could be identity theft, and/or getting a loan against your house or selling it from under you. Did she want a hand written letter, she may want to be able to copy your writing and signature.

What do you know about this woman? How long have they been together? And why are they splitting up?

Get her out of your house ASAP!

horseyhorsey17 · 26/02/2024 12:38

Mumofteenandtween · 25/02/2024 16:30

It seems obvious to me - she wants to be able today “Fred is adequately housed in a house worth £XXX. Therefore I should get most / all our joint assets to house me and the children.”

Yep, this.

Suchagroovyguy · 26/02/2024 12:39

Rosscameasdoody · 26/02/2024 12:28

Me too. And if he stands to inherit OP’s house, I’d be changing my will pronto if he turns out to be complicit in this.

Show quote history

He almost certainly is. And he’s immediately booted Jane out to appear so trustworthy the OP will be even on his side.

Caroparo52 · 26/02/2024 12:39

Watching.
Sorry nothing to add that hasn't already been said but fascinated to hear the conclusion. Please update us op. 👀🧐There are some sneaky people out there

anyolddinosaur · 26/02/2024 12:39

It sounds like she was planning some sort of fraud - but you now have signed up to land registry alerts. I'd let your brother work on tracking down the estate agent. He can take a photo from the recording and could visit the nearest ones asking if they employ this man.

I would phone the non urgent police number, ask for advice and let them tell you if there is anything else you need to do.

LakeTiticaca · 26/02/2024 12:40

This is such a gripping thread. I'm desperate to know what game Jane is playing. Please update OP, when you can 😀

horseyhorsey17 · 26/02/2024 12:43

Ring the estate agent and tell them that it's your house and ask what she told them. I don't think she could literally steal your house but there could be some kind of identity theft plans in the pipeline. I'd also have confronted her IMMEDIATELY if I were you - do it and then keep us all posted. There's no way I'd let her back in my house if I knew she'd done this, children or no children.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 26/02/2024 12:44

Just ensure you’re covered and if necessary speak to a solicitor about this. I think your DB may be complicit in this too, if so disinherit him. All sounds very dodgy and sneaky.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 26/02/2024 12:45

horseyhorsey17 · 26/02/2024 12:43

Ring the estate agent and tell them that it's your house and ask what she told them. I don't think she could literally steal your house but there could be some kind of identity theft plans in the pipeline. I'd also have confronted her IMMEDIATELY if I were you - do it and then keep us all posted. There's no way I'd let her back in my house if I knew she'd done this, children or no children.

Yep if she’s planning on something dodgy she’d be out of my house too and have to make other plans with her children.

MadMadamMimz · 26/02/2024 12:46

anyolddinosaur · 26/02/2024 12:39

It sounds like she was planning some sort of fraud - but you now have signed up to land registry alerts. I'd let your brother work on tracking down the estate agent. He can take a photo from the recording and could visit the nearest ones asking if they employ this man.

I would phone the non urgent police number, ask for advice and let them tell you if there is anything else you need to do.

I would also consider logging something with the non-urgent police number. Not because there is anything they can do but just as an official log in case something came of this like bailiffs at your door for example. Also, you might be lucky and the police might speak to her which will give her second thoughts on any daft plan she has cooked up.

This is really bizarre though and must be unsettling for you OP.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 26/02/2024 12:47

LakeTiticaca · 26/02/2024 12:40

This is such a gripping thread. I'm desperate to know what game Jane is playing. Please update OP, when you can 😀

Bear in mind it’s OP’s life here and she’s seriously ill here, it’s not an EE episode.

Bouledeneige · 26/02/2024 12:47

Read the thread! She doesn't know who the Estate Agent is! Her DB is trying to find out.