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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being greedy?

324 replies

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 06:55

Trying to cut a long story short. My sister has always been a single parent, the 2 different fathers to her children have never been involved and never assisted financially. My parents have taken a parental role with my sisters children but I can understand slightly why to support her with working etc. they bought a 2nd property to rent to her cheaper than the current market value.

i had 2 children with my partner, and he was my support network with life. We never had childcare or family support due to my parents putting all their time into my sister and her children. My children have lost out on a lot of family things due to this and don’t have a close relationship with my family. They’ve never been on days out with grandparents, yet watch their cousins do this all the time.

due to life stresses, myself and my children’s father separated last year. It was amicable break up to begin with but has become extremely toxic over the year when it came down to managing selling the family home etc. we were not married so I was not entitled to anything financially. I don’t think I slept for 4 months wondering how I would afford to put a roof over my children’s heads etc. but, in the end after a lot of work and stress I’ve managed to purchase a shared ownership property.

my parents went to see the property I am purchasing with me this week, being a new build I wanted other eyes! The entire time we were there, my dad was talking to the woman who I have been dealing with the purchase of the property, wondering how he would go about buying one for my sister. this went on for over an hour and I could barely get a word in to discuss my house - I exchanged back in November 2024 so this isn’t a potential purchase… this is my home.

to clarify, my parents have sat down and discussed with me this week they are wanting to give my sister £160,000 to buy the share of the property for her, so she won’t have a mortgage. And then her universal credit payments will cover her rent side. they have made it clear they cannot afford to do the same for me at this time, but my share will be left in the will.

they asked my opinion on this, and I expressed in 30 years time £160K won’t be worth as much. My sister has gained a mortgage free share of a house with rent paid by universal credit, while il be just getting by month by month. However, I also expressed it’s their money and they can do as they wish but as they’ve asked my opinion they can have it.

Deep down it’s not actually about the money. Last year when I was at rock bottom mentally, not one family member offered to help. I have managed everything completely alone financially and mentally. I’ve tried to express its hurt me when I was struggling, no one helped. Yet now “I’ve got my own place, my sister should have one”. I’ve worked all my life and saved and been good with money. My child’s father pays child maintenance - the bare minimum possible - and so he should! And my parents justify I don’t need help because I have my children’s father. My child’s father has run me down completely, reporting me to police, social services etc for no reason - I wouldn’t say he was my support!, but obviously my parents seem to think I’m lucky compared to my sister so I don’t need any help!

its such an awkward thing inheritance and money. I’ve given them my opinion and left it. But they have concluded I’m greedy and disgusting.

I guess while writing this, I now feel I sound awful! But there has always been favouritism in the family which I have grown up with. I’ve never benefited or expected anything, but when it’s constantly justified to me “you don’t need help” when actually last year I was the lowest possible and did need my family … it hurts!

if I was still in a relationship, and financially stable with a partner I completely understand why my parents would feel the need to help my sister more. I am in the same boat as her, but I’ve actually done something to sort my life and not relied on others to hand it to me on a plate so I don’t understand how they feel it’s fair?

am I being a completely spoilt brat in the matter? Or are my feelings of being hurt justified? I feel this is the icing on the cake for me and I need to take a massive step back from my family.

OP posts:
AguNwaanyi · 30/06/2025 10:05

thepariscrimefiles · 30/06/2025 07:40

Does your mum also believe that daughters should provide any care/support needed when she grows old? That often seems to be the pattern, the 'golden child' son who gets all the financial help and support and the 'scapegoat' daughters that get nothing but are expected to step up and provide care.

If that is the dynamic in your family, you and your sister should absolutely step back and let your brother deal with them.

My friends mum went through this. Friends mum and husband had businesses so didn't need financial support but she was the one looking after her elderly parents while her brother (friend's uncle) lived at home not working and not expected to do anything to help. Think he was a failure to launch situation. Then the parents sat my friend's mum down and said that her brother would get everything with nothing left to the grandkids (my friend and her sister) because the uncle needed it more. My friend's mum quickly briefed her brother on their parents care needs, said good luck and stopped!

Stephaneey · 30/06/2025 10:18

CatsnCoffee · 30/06/2025 01:41

I don’t understand why your sister will need rent to be paid by UC if your parents are buying her joint ownership outright. Am I missing something?

I’m a bit confused by that too. Surely they’ll wonder if you own a house why you need to pay rent?

Profpudding · 30/06/2025 10:19

Stephaneey · 30/06/2025 10:18

I’m a bit confused by that too. Surely they’ll wonder if you own a house why you need to pay rent?

Because she only owns 50% of the house that’s where shared ownership comes into it the clue is in the name

LilacReader · 30/06/2025 10:23

If they bring nothing positive to your life I think I would forward this link and let them read it as we have done and as you quite rightly feel. Mind you, I would also block communication, maybe after sending a text to say you need a break from feeling this rejection and you will be back in touch at a later date.
I feel for you - as you say, it's not about the money, more of what them doing with it represents.
Take care of you and your children x

Stephaneey · 30/06/2025 10:29

Profpudding · 30/06/2025 10:19

Because she only owns 50% of the house that’s where shared ownership comes into it the clue is in the name

So the shared ownership is with the parents?

Stephaneey · 30/06/2025 10:36

I thought the rent was to be paid to the parents but think that may have been for the first house. Seems strange to me that a lot of the arrangements seem to be reliant on UC being paid.

AguNwaanyi · 30/06/2025 13:45

Stephaneey · 30/06/2025 10:29

So the shared ownership is with the parents?

As in a shared ownership scheme. It will usually be a housing association that owns the rest of the equity. Are you from the UK? This is a well known (supposedly) affordable housing scheme here. But because you don't own the property outright you still pay partial rent, as well as service charge if it's a flat.

Sally20099 · 30/06/2025 14:25

OP I hear you loud and clear. That is terribly unfair and I’d feel exactly the same as you. I have no advice but wanted you to know YUNBU. Good luck

Endorewitch · 30/06/2025 14:28

You are not being greedy.
. You have a right to be hurt. It is favouritism. They may think you are stronger ,which you obviously are,but I MO that doesn't justify their behaviour.
They have let you down and your children.
Sadly I don't think they will change.
Very sad situation for you .

BoredZelda · 30/06/2025 14:32

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 07:30

Because she needs a bigger house (currently a 2 bed) and they will sale this house once they’ve moved her in to her new place.

When I managed to reserve my house which is a 3 bed, I was told by my parents not to tell my sister as she will get upset as her house is smaller 🥴

They bought her a two bed when they knew she had two kids, why isn’t it big enough now?

Pingu32 · 30/06/2025 20:15

They've made a rod for their own backs as far as your sister is concerned and they know that they have built an expectation in her, which they are now scared of not meeting. They see you as capable and not needing, despite you asking for help when you were struggling. They just see you both differently. However, my guess is she had the same upbringing as you and I believe we should all be treated the same when it comes to our parents. I would consider that when they're elderly, they may have a higher expectation of you to care for them than they do of your sister, as she's less capable, in their eyes.
This type of situation builds resentment and you need to decide whether you can live with that. I hate seeing families fall apart due to this type of thing, however - please remember, this is not of your creating and you need to do what's right for you and your children going forward. That may be without them in your lives. If that's what you decide, you need to switch off from what they might think of you and channel your energies into what's positive for you and your kids. I really feel for you - you don't need this on top of your split 🥲

alijchappell · 30/06/2025 21:31

Will there be a stipulation in the will about your £160k?

jandalsinsummer · 02/07/2025 14:49

Havetheweekendoffreports · 30/06/2025 06:32

Me neither

But fact he has in place - would indicate he doesn’t let her rough ride over him.

It’s about as likely as me flying to the moon by flapping my arms.

The fact he has it in place means he knows it will help him get you and me to pay his mortgage for him.

Fixed that for you!

Anon2468 · 02/07/2025 17:32

Havetheweekendoffreports · 30/06/2025 05:50

If you scrimped and saved 160k then for a lot of time you would have been over the 16k and should have got nothing. Otherwise everyone could be saving for a house surely?

yes correct

and the op has been decidedly sketchy about the years when she was accumulating these savings and how she presented that to DWP and HMRC. You can’t keep on saying for years… “oh I’m saving for a house, I’m saving for a house so let me smash through the £16k savings limit pretty please”

We won’t get clarity on this. Guaranteed

the £160K is a gift from parents who are not on universal credit which will be going straight into property. neither myself or my sister have had a substantial amount of savings in our accounts above £16K. I’m not sure why people are confused on this matter.

I am on universal credit due to single income and caring for 2 children. I was not on universal credit when with my children’s father and we jointly owned a property.

I have sold the property, and my share of proceeds has been used to go straight into another property. People really need to do their research before throwing allegations.. HMRC are aware and have confirmed this is okay.

OP posts:
Nerlin9812 · 02/07/2025 17:54

Ever thought of saying to your sister ‘ don’t you feel bad for sponging off mum and dad all your life?? ‘ I can tell you now she will
go berserk and start accusing you of all sorts

definitely time to
step back

it’s toxic

Mushybut · 07/07/2025 06:35

Havetheweekendoffreports · 30/06/2025 06:34

Either way

months, years when the op was accumulating these vast savings and still getting UC where she would have been committing fraud.

You can’t keep saying to DWP… “oh I’m saving for a house, I’m saving for a house” as an explanation why one year you have £60k in savings, the next £80k, the next £100k…..”

The truth is that DWP will only accept vast savings such as £160k for the purchase of a property for a very limited amount of time.

and the op sitting on this for an undefined amount of time…. Will alert HMRC and DWP

Mushybut · 07/07/2025 06:41

Nerlin9812 · 02/07/2025 17:54

Ever thought of saying to your sister ‘ don’t you feel bad for sponging off mum and dad all your life?? ‘ I can tell you now she will
go berserk and start accusing you of all sorts

definitely time to
step back

it’s toxic

Her father has a legal tenancy agreeemnt in place with the OP’s sister. Why? Because in the past she has failed to pay rent so he has imposed a legal contract between him and his eldest daughter to he has redress if she fails to pay.

I mean…. It doesn’t look like overly indulging to me

AvidJadeShaker · 07/07/2025 07:42

Mushybut · 07/07/2025 06:41

Her father has a legal tenancy agreeemnt in place with the OP’s sister. Why? Because in the past she has failed to pay rent so he has imposed a legal contract between him and his eldest daughter to he has redress if she fails to pay.

I mean…. It doesn’t look like overly indulging to me

He has a legal tenancy in place so she can claim housing benefit/universal credit for the rent.

bexollie · 07/07/2025 07:52

This is unfair on you and the kids. However you have shown you can manage and not rely on such unfair people Well done for managing like you have . I'd cut ties and certainly check out the details for receiving gifts and UC .

Mushybut · 07/07/2025 07:58

AvidJadeShaker · 07/07/2025 07:42

He has a legal tenancy in place so she can claim housing benefit/universal credit for the rent.

Why did the op say it was because in the past she hasnt paid ?

Mushybut · 07/07/2025 08:04

They have never been interested in the OP
they have never been interested in the OP’s children
they have always prioritised the older sister and her children
they have repeatedly failed to show the Op any kind of support or empathy

i dont understand why the op continues to have anything to do with them tbh. It looks like it would be in everyone’s interests if you just backed away and severed ties. No big NC declaration…. Just fizzle out

Laurmolonlabe · 07/07/2025 15:25

I completely understand your unhappiness about this. Places in the family hierarchy are settled early- once your parents started thinking about your sister as the one who needs help-they have continued to think this way, despite your circumstances completely changing.
I agree entirely with your decision to say it is your parents money, but making it clear you don't think it's fair-and why should you.
I did more or less the same.
My parents divorced when I was 7 , Dad always had all the money-I went with my Mum , my Dad always paid the bare minimum for my upkeep. He had a son with his new wife and they enjoyed a lavish lifestyle his son was showered with whatever he wanted. When I went to university my Dad refused to pay anything towards it-despite paying for my brother's. My Dad is 91 and he has told me my half brother is getting threequarters of the inheritance and I will get a quarter.
I did the same as you said it's your money but I don't think it is fair. The will is the last chance for my Dad to even up the experience my brother and I had growing up-but he refuses to- disappointing to say the least.

GreenCandleWax · 28/07/2025 17:26

You poor thing OP. You have done so much, are strong and do everything to help yourself, but get this thrown back at you. Family betrayals as in uber favoritism are so painful. You have done brilliantly in awful circumstances but received no recognition of your difficulties or your success in overcoming them, let alone support when you needed it from family. Wishing I could give you a hug, as someone who had something that feels similar though details different. No advice - except perhaps to write to your parents saying what you said here, and then expect no more contact from them. It would be therapeutic to put it down on paper for them to read? and then you may feel happier if you are not still hoping that they will be more caring.🌺

LondonUSAGirl · 16/09/2025 19:09

Why do you even have a relationship with your parents? They obviously don't give one shit about you.

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