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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To spend money when I don’t have any idea where it’s come from?

153 replies

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:04

On checking my bank account this morning there is £600 in there that I can’t account for. The only info is an account number I don’t recognise.
I desperately need a plumber to come out and unblock some outside pipes and it’s been causing me a lot of stress as I can’t afford it. I’m off sick from work after a life altering accident and I’m a single parent to 3 including a disabled child, my savings have been eaten by this and there’s no telling when or even if I’ll be able to return to work.

I know I should report this money to my bank. But part of me wants to use £150 of it to do the work needed. And then if I have to pay it back set up a payment plan.

is this awful? It’s awful isn’t it? And yet it’s just….there.

OP posts:
PonyPatter44 · 26/05/2024 16:23

I would tell your landlord that he needs to come and sort it out, otherwise you will be reporting him. I would also be having a word with Shelter and with the council's housing department and environmental health, because its completely unacceptable to be leaving you in that position.

Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:24

iamtheblcksheep · 26/05/2024 16:21

It is your landlord’s responsibility op. Fuck me, put your big girl pants on and make him come and sort it out. It is NOT your problem

How do I do that? I have asked and asked. He refuses. My only option is environmental health and he told me if I do that he’ll evict me. Which I know legally he can’t do, but in the real world he can physically remove my belongings and I can’t stop him. It’s easy to say put my big girl pants on, but I’m currently not able to walk or even sit up on my own. I don’t have it in me to fight him on this issue at the moment and if that makes me pathetic, so be it. It is what it is right now.

OP posts:
Kedece2410 · 26/05/2024 16:27

iamtheblcksheep · 26/05/2024 16:19

They cannot take it back if it was a mistake. However there is normally a payee so I suspect it’s a bank mistake rather than another payee

Ofcourse they can & they will as soon as the mistake is noticed

Starlightstarbright3 · 26/05/2024 16:27

Someone has sent you £600 by mistake .. They are likely are worried sick .. your drain issues and the money are separate issues . You should phone the bank .

Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:27

PonyPatter44 · 26/05/2024 16:23

I would tell your landlord that he needs to come and sort it out, otherwise you will be reporting him. I would also be having a word with Shelter and with the council's housing department and environmental health, because its completely unacceptable to be leaving you in that position.

I am in touch with the council about moving as my house might well be unsuitable for me to live in when I go home anyway. My landlord threatened to kick us out if I go to environmental health and my kids are there, my oldest is autistic and the stress would be awful. He’s struggling enough as I’m not home. But I am trying to do what I can on that score.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:29

Starlightstarbright3 · 26/05/2024 16:27

Someone has sent you £600 by mistake .. They are likely are worried sick .. your drain issues and the money are separate issues . You should phone the bank .

I know they are seperate things. It just felt like a life line. But you are right I’m going to ring the bank. Thank you.

OP posts:
Starlightstarbright3 · 26/05/2024 16:30

found this online

To spend money when I don’t have any idea where it’s come from?
SamuelDJackson · 26/05/2024 16:33

If its a rental house and you are being left in a situation of a backed up toilet by the lack of repair from your landlord/neighbours decisions then get onto Shelters website about repairs and whether your home is fit for habitation - and see whether repairs can be enforced (also with consideration of compensation for your living situation). Discuss your landlords threats of eviction if you report the issues with Shelter as well - it sounds like your landlord needs a sharp lesson in their responsibilities.

Dont spend the money on this - leave it in your account until you can contact the bank and find out if it was an error/needs to be repaid. If its not an error then you have some money to use and can think again - but please dont spend it until you know thats OK as you could end up with worse problems and stress if theres an issue and you need to repay quickly. If it is your money then it would also be a good start towards a deposit for moving house.

Justsmileanwave · 26/05/2024 16:35

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:19

Oh that’s a whole saga…basically the pipes that take the sewerage away are really old, there’s a crack in it right on the boundary between my property and next door. They are also not sloped correctly so they don’t drain. Everything backs up and then blocks my loo. For years the water company have come out a few times a year and cleared them as it’s on the boundary. This year they decided it’s not their problem anymore. I don’t own my house. My landlord refuses to pay. My neighbour refuses to pay. I’m the end of the line so to speak so it’s my house and yard that end up with raw sewerage seeping out if it’s not done. I have in the past cleared them (kind of) myself, but I physically can’t now.

so I pay or I have a back yard swimming in shit. 😔

This is your landlords responsibility not yours......it's their property. You pay rent so that you don't have to deal with these issues. I suggest going to citizens advice about getting your landlord to sort the problem.

Abitorangelooking · 26/05/2024 16:38

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:19

Oh that’s a whole saga…basically the pipes that take the sewerage away are really old, there’s a crack in it right on the boundary between my property and next door. They are also not sloped correctly so they don’t drain. Everything backs up and then blocks my loo. For years the water company have come out a few times a year and cleared them as it’s on the boundary. This year they decided it’s not their problem anymore. I don’t own my house. My landlord refuses to pay. My neighbour refuses to pay. I’m the end of the line so to speak so it’s my house and yard that end up with raw sewerage seeping out if it’s not done. I have in the past cleared them (kind of) myself, but I physically can’t now.

so I pay or I have a back yard swimming in shit. 😔

I would contact environmental health. Pretty sure they can force your landlord to do remedial works.

WhamBamThankU · 26/05/2024 16:40

Contact environmental health. He doesn't need to know you've rung. Pretend to be a neighbour when you contact them maybe?

StealthNameChange · 26/05/2024 16:48

ILikePistachios · 26/05/2024 16:12

Honestly I'd spend it. You're not responsible for making the mistake. Your priority is yourself, your children and your home. If someone can't properly check bank details when sending a transaction, that's on them. The bank will recover it eventually anyway so you'd better move it to another account or withdraw it quickly

Ridiculous advice. I’m sure you’d hate it if someone did this to your money.

SchoolNightWine · 26/05/2024 16:56

Are you sure no kind friend/relative knows the situation you're in and has tried to help you out anonymously? Or your work giving you a one off payment to help out?

Happyher · 26/05/2024 16:57

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:19

Oh that’s a whole saga…basically the pipes that take the sewerage away are really old, there’s a crack in it right on the boundary between my property and next door. They are also not sloped correctly so they don’t drain. Everything backs up and then blocks my loo. For years the water company have come out a few times a year and cleared them as it’s on the boundary. This year they decided it’s not their problem anymore. I don’t own my house. My landlord refuses to pay. My neighbour refuses to pay. I’m the end of the line so to speak so it’s my house and yard that end up with raw sewerage seeping out if it’s not done. I have in the past cleared them (kind of) myself, but I physically can’t now.

so I pay or I have a back yard swimming in shit. 😔

Check your tenancy agreement to see whether you are responsible for such repairs. If not seek help from a housing advice provider maybe Shelter or you local council. Does your landlord really want raw sewage spilling on his/her property

SH23B · 26/05/2024 17:02

The bank can and will take the money back. If you don't agree to it, they will take it regardless of if the funds are there or not which may push you into an unarranged overdraft. It's really not worth it.

Boomer55 · 26/05/2024 17:07

iamtheblcksheep · 26/05/2024 16:19

They cannot take it back if it was a mistake. However there is normally a payee so I suspect it’s a bank mistake rather than another payee

Yes than can, and they will.

Dearover · 26/05/2024 17:13

Side issue, but if you're not in the house now, where are you and the children? Are the pipes flooding at the moment?

ILikePistachios · 26/05/2024 17:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

PickledPurplePickle · 26/05/2024 17:47

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:19

Oh that’s a whole saga…basically the pipes that take the sewerage away are really old, there’s a crack in it right on the boundary between my property and next door. They are also not sloped correctly so they don’t drain. Everything backs up and then blocks my loo. For years the water company have come out a few times a year and cleared them as it’s on the boundary. This year they decided it’s not their problem anymore. I don’t own my house. My landlord refuses to pay. My neighbour refuses to pay. I’m the end of the line so to speak so it’s my house and yard that end up with raw sewerage seeping out if it’s not done. I have in the past cleared them (kind of) myself, but I physically can’t now.

so I pay or I have a back yard swimming in shit. 😔

Your landlord absolutely needs to sort this out, not you

Get environmental health involved

StealthNameChange · 26/05/2024 17:52

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

OK then 👌

Starlightstarbright3 · 26/05/2024 17:53

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

What sort of a. Judgemental comment to make …

No one gives £600 away willingly . For some frustrating , for some the difference between food and electricity.

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 26/05/2024 17:57

ILikePistachios · 26/05/2024 16:12

Honestly I'd spend it. You're not responsible for making the mistake. Your priority is yourself, your children and your home. If someone can't properly check bank details when sending a transaction, that's on them. The bank will recover it eventually anyway so you'd better move it to another account or withdraw it quickly

Yes, steal it from the single mother with 3 children and broken pipes who made a mistake in bank payment while frazzled with stress

Obviously get in touch with the bank and see if you can find out any more about it

I'm surprised it shows up as an account number, doesn't it usually say the name it's come from?

OneLemonOrca · 26/05/2024 18:00

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:19

Oh that’s a whole saga…basically the pipes that take the sewerage away are really old, there’s a crack in it right on the boundary between my property and next door. They are also not sloped correctly so they don’t drain. Everything backs up and then blocks my loo. For years the water company have come out a few times a year and cleared them as it’s on the boundary. This year they decided it’s not their problem anymore. I don’t own my house. My landlord refuses to pay. My neighbour refuses to pay. I’m the end of the line so to speak so it’s my house and yard that end up with raw sewerage seeping out if it’s not done. I have in the past cleared them (kind of) myself, but I physically can’t now.

so I pay or I have a back yard swimming in shit. 😔

pay the plumber and deduct the amount from the rent

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 26/05/2024 18:01

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

You sound ridiculous

Highflow · 26/05/2024 18:02

DH is a bank manager. He said the bank will phone and ask your permission to take the money back. They can’t take it without your permission