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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not lend father the money

120 replies

Downandout21 · 23/03/2024 19:02

I've posted a few times about DF but for background, he has never been good with money. Growing up he would spend on cards and mum would bail him out.

He was an abusive man, both physically and mentally to mum, but he is still my dad.

DH and I are trying to buy our first home, it's been a disaster and we have been trying for 2 years but for one reason or another they have fallen through.

Eventually we have found a new build, however there has been delays of around 6 months so far. Being FTB we literally have saved enough for deposit, legal fees and about £2000 just in case.

Whilst the delay was happening DF kindly let us move in with him, we paid rent, bought the food shopping and did all housework including making dads packed lunch for work. Eventually we ended up getting on each others last nerve and as the new build has been delayed even longer so we decided to move Into a short term rental. Because of this we are now down the £2000 just incase money as this was spent on deposite and first months rent.

Went to see DF today and the first thing he said was 'I'm glad your hear, do you remember that money you said you would lend me I really need it'. I said to him that I don't have any space money and he replied saying you said when you move to the new build you could lend me money, I explained I haven't moved to the new build and due to going into the rental have no extra cash. He told me that he was screwed, he has spent money he owes someone else because I said I would lend him some money. I asked him how much he needed and he said £4000 and would pay me back over 3 months. I just can't take the chance if I lent it him, I would no longer have enough for my house deposit which I worked 7 days a week to scrimp together. I told him to ask my sister as she is quite well off, and he said I'm not asking her she will just say no and that he is now f**ked. He then said after all I've done letting you live with me and you can't even lend me money when you just have it sitting in the bank.

I left shortly after and now feel sick with guilt and anxiety. He looked so worried when I left I worry he may do something stupid.

Should I just give him the money and hope the house isn't due completion in the next few months? We won't be penalised if we have to pull out as we are way past our long stop date.

OP posts:
BananaLlama123 · 23/03/2024 19:10

Do not give him the money. You won't see it again.

WrylyAmused · 23/03/2024 19:11

You are not unreasonable.
You should definitely not give/lend him the money.

He's been bad with money all his life. He knows you're trying to buy a house and doesn't scruple to ask it of you despite knowing you're in a somewhat precarious situation currently.

He chose to spend money that he did have, and that he knew he owed to someone else on the chance that you would be able to help him, or, more accurately, on the chance that he would be able to guilt you into giving it to him.

He won't ask your sister, despite her having money, because she also has boundaries and has seen right through his bullshit.
Take her example, stay strong, don't let him manipulate you and make you feel guilty for his failings.

readytoexplode24 · 23/03/2024 19:12

Don't give him the money, you won't see it again.

Your mortgage lender will be looking at your finances as well and will question such a big payment out as well.

Shetlands · 23/03/2024 19:13

Please do not lend him anything - you worked so hard for it and you'll never see it again.

LizardOfOz · 23/03/2024 19:13

You don't have it just sitting in the bank. You have it earmarked for something really important.
If you want to spend the rest of your life renting and probably break up your relationship, then give him the money. If that's not your life plan then just say no

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 23/03/2024 19:13

Absolutely not, he's a grown man. Let him pay the person he owes the money back over 3 months. Do not feel guilty either. Tell him its already with the lawyers if that makes you feel better!

NWQM · 23/03/2024 19:15

So when you say you won't be penalised do you really mean that you pull out of the same now?

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 23/03/2024 19:16

NO !!!

  1. you have NOT yet moved into your new home
  2. you PAID df rent
  3. he could have SAVED that rent
  4. he is and always has been useless with money
  5. you can't afford it !!!
  6. you don't have your spare £2000
  7. he can, but doesn't want to ask your sister
  8. because she will say NO
Spirallingdownwards · 23/03/2024 19:16

HELL NO. Do not lend him any money.

SuncreamAndIceCream · 23/03/2024 19:20

Hell no

Do you realise how mad it sounds to give up on your dream to own a house in order to give your dad money?

Because it is totally crazy OP

You say he was abusive physically and mentally to your mum. I suggest that he is also abusive emotionally to you. Laying on the guilt trips, strings attached to his apparent generosity of letting you live with him.

Do not give him any money.

Downandout21 · 23/03/2024 19:22

I know I shouldn't but I can't live with the guilt if anything happened to him or he harmed himself.

OP posts:
Therealjudgejudy · 23/03/2024 19:23

If you give him this money you won't see it again...

Fairygoblin · 23/03/2024 19:25

Please absolve yourself of any responsibility towards this reckless, irresponsible, manipulative man

Timeforachocolate · 23/03/2024 19:25

Well your sister can.

he can get an interest free credit card and sort his own debt out.

you have one chance to get onto the properly market. If you give him £4,000 what will you give him next time?

your sister is wise,

readytoexplode24 · 23/03/2024 19:26

Downandout21 · 23/03/2024 19:22

I know I shouldn't but I can't live with the guilt if anything happened to him or he harmed himself.

Nothing will happen to him, he didn't loan off a loan shark. He'll be fine.

Blobblobblob · 23/03/2024 19:26

You paid fair rent when you stayed with him. So nothing is owed.

He's lying to your face, you know you didn't promise to give him money.

He clearly thinks you're stupid, and a soft touch. Which is awful, you're no such thing!

Why would you hand over your hard earned money to such a person?

Ladyj84 · 23/03/2024 19:27

Nope his problem not yours..clearly has problems with money and clearly hasn't learnt from them. Do not lend you won't see it back and don't put your own family in jeopardy

Elsewhere123 · 23/03/2024 19:28

Downandout21 · 23/03/2024 19:22

I know I shouldn't but I can't live with the guilt if anything happened to him or he harmed himself.

And he knows that. He is an adult. You are not responsible for him. Follow your sister's lead.

TruthorDie · 23/03/2024 19:30

Dont do it. He needs to grow up and learn to manage his money

MoonWoman69 · 23/03/2024 19:30

It is not your responsibility to bail your father out for his stupidity when it comes to money! He's obviously borrowed, or whatever he's done, on the strength of you bailing him out! How bloody entitled is that? And not on!
You're starting on the property ladder, that money is earmarked for your new start.
And if it's that easy for him to pay you back in 3 months, then he can bloody well do that with whoever he owes to this time.
Do not be bullied into doing this, as that's what he's doing, making you feel guilty, when you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. Stay strong on this one OP. 🌹

Couldyounot · 23/03/2024 19:33

Downandout21 · 23/03/2024 19:22

I know I shouldn't but I can't live with the guilt if anything happened to him or he harmed himself.

This is what he is relying on. If you give him this money you will never see it again. Fine specimen he is, mooching off his children

justthecat · 23/03/2024 19:34

Not a chance, he played on your mums emotions don't let him do it to you

SuncreamAndIceCream · 23/03/2024 19:35

@Downandout21 nothing is going to happen to him. He's relying on making you feel bad to give him money.

xyz111 · 23/03/2024 19:43

Imagine if it was your DH father asking this and DH gave it to him. Your house was then ready and you didn't have enough so it fell through. Imagine how angry and hurt you would be with DH. This would be the same.
He's a grown adult, he needs to take responsibility

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 23/03/2024 20:09

you ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE for your father if he does something stupid !!!

He is an adult, he is responsible for himself and for his money.

do not believe any emotional blackmail.