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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

New man’s house is filthy

605 replies

merrygoroundsss · 17/08/2025 22:53

Not really sure what to do here!

The new guy I’ve been seeing is lovely. We really hit it off and have a lot in common. He treats me well and puts in a lot of effort.

Just to give you some background, I have some OCD tendencies, especially when it comes to cleanliness. My house isn’t perfect, but it’s clean and tidy. He knows this.

He currently has 2 dogs, but he used to have 9 (not sure why, something related to his ex) and they trashed the house. His ex moved out at the start of the year. I'm not sure if things were like this while she was living there or if it started after she moved out. He told me prior to my visit that his house wasn't as clean as mine, but he was making an effort to improve it, though it might take some time. I didn’t expect much, but when I visited his house for the first time yesterday, I was gutted. It was filthy.
Picture dirty, grimy, and sticky. There were dog hairs everywhere. They’re allowed in every room, on the sofa, beds, you name it. He attempted to clean up before I arrived, which is probably why I feel bad for feeling this way, but his whole house needs several deep cleans!

I don’t think he hoovers, so when he mops, he’s just pushing the dirt and dog hairs around. The bathroom was especially awful. I don’t think the toilet had been cleaned in months (there were skid marks, the bowl was black, and the toilet seat was dirty too). The bathroom also had a strong smell of dog urine. He does mop up any accidents but I guess the urine has just soaked into the floor or something?! I kept my socks on while I was there, but he was walking around barefoot and his feet were black! The back garden was a mess too with dog shit and rubbish everywhere.

If I want to keep the relationship going, I need to spend more time at his house because of the dogs. I wouldn’t mind it if the house was actually clean. I’m supposed to stay there again next week, but just thinking about it makes my skin crawl. I feel terrible though, because he’s said he’s trying to sort it, so he’s not in denial or ignoring the issue. But when I left early this morning to come home, he said he was just going to have a lazy day before he had work tomorrow, which showed no effort to clean up or even start tackling the mess.

WTF do I do? I really like this guy, and aside from this one issue, he's great!

OP posts:
allthedragons · 18/08/2025 12:47

If you stay with him, one day you'll stop and realise you're not just his girlfriend, but his cleaner. He refuses your input now, but you'll want to help (if only to make it bearable for yourself), he 'reluctantly' gives in, and then...

We all know how it goes!

Tessasanderson · 18/08/2025 12:49

How a person keeps their own home is a huge insight into them personally. Sorry, i would walk in and walk straight back out in that situation. Regardless of his attempts to improve, that is his default setting and you are not going to change it.

Jojimoji · 18/08/2025 12:53

Zebedee999 · 18/08/2025 11:51

Spot on.

I'm OCD ish with cleanliness. Had a partner who wasn't; it caused endless arguments.

Another one.

OCD is not an adjective, nor a character trait. There is no such thing as being "OCDish". It is a serious mental illness.

I know it's not the point of the thread, and I know several posters have addressed this, but I just wish there was more education and less ignorance around OCD.

By the way ..the " cleanliness" or
" contamination" OCD is literally one of the least common presenting themes of the disorder.

Zucker · 18/08/2025 13:07

The state of the toilet would tell me this is just a couldn't care less about cleaning situation. Anyone could fall behind on cleaning with a pack of dogs living in the house, but the bathroom and toilet wouldn't be impacted by the dogs. Or shouldn't be anyway! He's no that lovely if he couldn't even throw a bottle of bleach around the bathroom before you arrived.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 18/08/2025 13:08

I think you're doubting your own feelings because of the OCD. But of course you're not BU. I'm not overly houseproud and there is always cats hair around, I'd have to hoover on an hourly basis to have a spotless house but this man sounds disgusting. There's no excuse for not keeping a toilet and kitchen clean.

Presumably his bed was also pretty vile, I'm not sure I'd have stayed overnight.

But anyway, I'd find it a complete turnoff and end the relationship now.

Purplebunnie · 18/08/2025 13:11

Find him a cleaning company to get the deep cleaning done. See how it keeps it afterwards

thenightsky · 18/08/2025 13:12

AngelinaFibres · 18/08/2025 08:02

If his toilet is filthy imagine what his bum crack is like. Have you been putting his cock in your mouth . Barf.

Oh God, that was my thoughts too. 😫

ChaToilLeam · 18/08/2025 13:12

Purplebunnie · 18/08/2025 13:11

Find him a cleaning company to get the deep cleaning done. See how it keeps it afterwards

Why should she do this for him? He's a grown man.

LochKatrine · 18/08/2025 13:12

Purplebunnie · 18/08/2025 13:11

Find him a cleaning company to get the deep cleaning done. See how it keeps it afterwards

I'm sure he's capable of finding a cleaning company himself. If he wanted to.

sandyhappypeople · 18/08/2025 13:13

merrygoroundsss · 18/08/2025 08:47

You have no idea about my background or medical history, apart from what I’ve shared on this thread. I’ve been dealing with OCD (not just about being clean) and intrusive thoughts for a long time, since my teenage years, and I’ve needed therapy and medication for years to help me manage it. Think before you speak!

To be honest OP, having OCD is quite different to someone saying they have 'OCD tendencies', so I can understand why people have picked up on it, people band OCD around quite often without actually having it or being diagnosed with it.

If you have OCD and you've been in therapy for years.. you KNOW this guy with his grotty house and dog shit filled garden, is never going to work out for you surely? Why come on here and ask people what they think you should do?

Only YOU know if you can cope with this or not, and I would be amazed that from what you've described above you would even consider taking this relationship further.

Do you even want to be with someone with pets? Surely that is a massive factor?

GreenCandleWax · 18/08/2025 13:14

merrygoroundsss · 17/08/2025 22:55

Just to add, I did offer to help and gave him some gentle suggestions, but he insisted on sorting it by himself.

He is not sorting it though, as you said in your previous post. And don't you dare even think of doing any of it for him! It sounds utterly gross that he could even imagine letting you see the toilet. What is the matter with the man? I couldn't get past this, it would be instant dealbreaker that he is prepared to live in a literal shithole, let alone expect you to go there. Sorry OP, but there is no excuse.

Zebedee999 · 18/08/2025 13:16

Jojimoji · 18/08/2025 12:53

Another one.

OCD is not an adjective, nor a character trait. There is no such thing as being "OCDish". It is a serious mental illness.

I know it's not the point of the thread, and I know several posters have addressed this, but I just wish there was more education and less ignorance around OCD.

By the way ..the " cleanliness" or
" contamination" OCD is literally one of the least common presenting themes of the disorder.

I've had OCD all my life around certain activities. So bugga off with your holier than thou attitude.

Phoebesparrow · 18/08/2025 13:18

I have a friend who's lived in her house since her ds was a baby
And he's now 35-shes never wiped a side down or cleaned the loo (no mental health issues,just a lazy bitch)
She claims to be so skint,she can't afford cleaning products (bollocks-always has money for wants)
You can imagine the dirt,smell (she has a stinky dog and a cat) and mess as she never throws anything out
I went round her house and heaved,dp made his excuses and fled
I even offered to help clean and take 99% of the crap to the tip but she just laughed at me so I didn't bother
It is a bit cleaner now as she gets her 87 year old mum to come round once a week to clean

This is at the 'trying to impress you stage' and he can't even clean a loo?
Fuck that,I'd be gone and I'm not a clean freak myself (dp does 70% of our house)

Purplebunnie · 18/08/2025 13:18

ChaToilLeam · 18/08/2025 13:12

Why should she do this for him? He's a grown man.

Grown men don't always think along these lines

Jojimoji · 18/08/2025 13:18

Zebedee999 · 18/08/2025 13:16

I've had OCD all my life around certain activities. So bugga off with your holier than thou attitude.

No.

If I see ignorance around this disorder I will comment.

Because people have mistaken beliefs around this disorder many sufferers take years to get diagnosed.

lotsofpatience · 18/08/2025 13:19

Scratch this one off.

Middlechild3 · 18/08/2025 13:22

merrygoroundsss · 17/08/2025 22:55

Just to add, I did offer to help and gave him some gentle suggestions, but he insisted on sorting it by himself.

Christ don't do this! You'll be doing it forever. This is him, take it or leave it. If it's the only deal breaker let him know so he can put it right and keep it right, or not bother as he sees fit.

ormiwtbte · 18/08/2025 13:22

Zebedee999 · 18/08/2025 13:16

I've had OCD all my life around certain activities. So bugga off with your holier than thou attitude.

So don't use terms like "OCD ish" then because posters will, quite rightly, pick up on it.

There are far too many people saying they are OCD ish who aren't.

If you have OCD then say "I have OCD" not "I'm OCD ish" or as the OP said "I have OCD tendencies" when what she actually has is a diagnosis of OCD which requires therapy and medication.

If you're going to use a term that many people use who don't have OCD, you can't then be surprised that some posters assume you are one of those people.

OrangeAndPistachio · 18/08/2025 13:22

Whilst I understand that once something gets out of control it can be hard to fix it , I also agree that if you stay with him you'll forever be in charge of cleaning and decluttering. Is this what you want?

If I were you I'd be tempted to say that I'd be prepared to date him if he sorted out his mess and learned to keep on top of it. But this depends on you being able to take a huge step back and stay that way until this improves.

mathanxiety · 18/08/2025 13:25

Dump this animal hoarding disaster zone.

His previous GF left because of the mess and my guess isbshe reported the nine animals and he was forced to remove seven.

Run and don't look back.

ormiwtbte · 18/08/2025 13:25

Jojimoji · 18/08/2025 13:18

No.

If I see ignorance around this disorder I will comment.

Because people have mistaken beliefs around this disorder many sufferers take years to get diagnosed.

Quite right.
Both OP and the poster who has just told you to "bugga off" have used terms that people who do not have OCD use to describe themselves because they like a really clean home etc.
As they both say they have OCD in follow up posts (in the OP's case she has received therapy and medication) they should have said clearly in the post "I have OCD", "I have a diagnosis of OCD" etc instead of saying "I'm OCD ish" or "I have OCD tendencies".

mathanxiety · 18/08/2025 13:26

You are allowed to have.a deal breaker in a relationship. This should be it for you.

And you don't have to apologise for it, or make excuses like OCD.You want a normal man who isn't an animal hoarder and doesn't live in a filthy home. That is perfectly acceptable.

Mrsbloggz · 18/08/2025 13:28

sandwichlover93 · 18/08/2025 09:59

You shared that you have ‘OCD tendencies’ and explained that by saying you don’t like a dirty house……..
I don’t know how someone with OCD could be in that house so in your case you couldn’t possibly see him again for your own wellbeing.

I think describing herself as having OCD is part of her denial of what's really going on.
She's trying to kid herself that he's within the normal range but seems extreme to her because she has OCD.
The reality is, she's normal and he is a revolting filthy skank🤢

OptimusFry · 18/08/2025 13:29

I'm sorry but a black toilet and skid marks and smell of urine would be to much for me as a guy me personally I would do everything I can to make my house/apartment look as nice and clean as possible hell I spent 4 hours deep cleaning my room, kitchen and bathroom just so i didn't have to look at a mess and its your First time there no but that's unacceptable

Elle771 · 18/08/2025 13:29

You're not compatible (and he may struggle to find anyone who is as his house sounds like!).