Is this a crazy idea?

[MattHandjob]

We are a family of 4 DC aged 11 and 9.

My husband would like to sell our house and buy two, two bedroom flats.

The flats are next door to each other and he envisages us (me and him) living in one and the children living in the other.

This doesn't sit right with me for a few reasons, I feel like we would lose family time if they have their own living space, not being close in case of a fire, giving up on a freehold property to buy two leaseholds and the annual charge they involve.

Is this a wild idea, is it even legal to live in a seperate flat to your minor children?

Anyone done anything like this or similar? Any thing else I need to take into consideration?

Short answer - you can’t have children that age living unattended in a separate flat !

Have you seriously lost the plot??????

I've actually seen a few benefit fraud cases over the years where parents had "separated". One parent lived with the kids at 23 and claimed (substantial) benefits as a single parent, while the other "lived" at 23A.

Leaving kids of 11 and 9 in a flat alone overnight would have you prosecuted for child neglect, or worse if something awful happened.

I honestly cannot believe you are contemplating this idea. There are so many things wrong here that I don't know where to start.

Hello,
Your post reads like your husband doesnt want to be a father between the lines and wants you to himself... are you ok ?

to give you an idea ..i put your question in google and it says this ...

No, an 11-year-old should not live alone in a flat, even next door to their parents. While there's no specific legal age for leaving a child alone, it's generally considered unsafe and potentially harmful for a child under 16 to be left alone overnight. Experts recommend against leaving children under 12 alone for extended periods.
Here's why:
Safety concerns:
An 11-year-old may not have the maturity or judgment to handle emergencies like a fire, a fall, or a stranger at the door.
Lack of support:
If an 11-year-old is alone, they may not have anyone to turn to for help with simple tasks, like preparing a meal or getting dressed, or in more serious situations.
Emotional well-being:
Being alone can be isolating and frightening for an 11-year-old, potentially leading to anxiety and other emotional problems.
Legal implications:
Leaving a child alone can be seen as neglect, and depending on the circumstances, could lead to legal intervention from child protective services, according to Quora.
While some children may seem more mature than others, leaving an 11-year-old alone for extended periods, especially overnight, is generally not recommended.

He's trying to leave you on the downlow.

You'll have to pay 2 of everything, including Council tax. Unless you only have 1 front door and back door and they'll check.

Two people up in age shouldn't have this combined amount lack of sense and wisdom.
Poor kids!

This was my first thought too. And from there it's easy to sell "his flat" and move away leaving them behind.

I think it’s fine to buy two flats and you all live in one and rent the other one out and then when the children are adults they have the option of moving in and sharing the flat.

To allow children to live in the flat ages 11 and 9 just beggars belief and is a clear sign that your husband is not the full ticket.

I’m sure it would be illegal to.

This is definitely not legal. An 11 and 9 year old can not live alone, You'd be convicted on child neglect and they'd go to social services.

Who does he think is going to clean both of these places? You?

Sure, they could also make their own meals and be responsible for the housework. Just tell them to keep it down when friends pop over.

You can't leave minors on their own. Who knows what would happen, your partner needs a good talking to about the responsibilities of parenthood

If you left 2 young children in a flat, even one next door, you'd probably end up.in court. I cannot believe he is suggesting this. Is he their father?

You almost sound half on board with this idea?! Seriously, if you have to ask random strangers on a forum whether this is a good idea or not, I suggest you shouldn't be permitted to have unsupervised access to the internet! Absolute madness!

Too weird , it has to be a sick joke.

What are the grandparents views on this nasty state of affairs?

Are they fit and well enough to take the children in and care for them seeing as how you and your husband want to get shot of them?

As a social worker for adults, I would really like to hope my children's social work colleagues would step in if this were to become reality 🙈