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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is lodger being disrespectful?

207 replies

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 01:24

This time last year my husband and I decided to take in a lodger. We found a lady who would provide a very good arrangement: she would pay full asking price but only use the room when working. On her days off shed return to her home. The agreement was for 6 months only, and we extended for another six months so not a long term thing. Shes always been respectful, quiet, clean, tidy. No complaints. We let her in to our inner circle - as time progressed conversations became friendlier, shed often share dinner with us, our toddler loves her. Its been a v good balance.

Like i said earlier, this lodger returns home regularly, where she has a long term boyfriend. We always said he was welcome in the house, as well as her family. Said boyfriend visited once (didnt stay), she had an uncle come over for tea and I always said her daughter should come visit. The tenancy agreement has no rules about visitors, theres something vague about how permission is needed for anyone to stay over a week. We never thought it necessary to say anything more about visitors given her personal situation.

About a month ago, she breaks up with her boyfriend (she told me) and literally one week later she rocks up to the house with a man we've never seen or heard of before. We know this because we saw it on our ring camera whilst we were away for the weekend.
She brings him into the house and is critical of our home - that I buy plants and kill them for example (I laughed when I heard her say this and brushed it off but her tone kinda stung).
Then, in the hallway, the guy says something about me drinking j*zz and she laughs (we have another camera in the living room so could hear) then they go upstairs where I can just about hear her begin to criticise something else but the camera stops picking up dialogue. By the way, she knows about the cameras, theyre not hidden. We tell people about them. We put them in to watch our dog initially but left them for security.

My husband was livid and wanted to kick her out but I talked him down, said the money was important, and shed only be around for a few more months. We didnt mention any of this to her. I hoped she wouldnt bring him back.

After this, the guy becomes a permanent fixture - never comes in again, just parks on the road side and takes her. A couple of times hes been outside, with her, when im arriving home with my toddler and she never thought of introducing him to me.
She never mentioned him to us even though shes been seeing him every day for the last month or so.

Last week at home DH, now placated from his anger, jokes around, asks the lodger if she has a new boyfriend, who he is and she tells him his name, what he does, and she is v open. When the guy comes to pick her up DH goes out to meet him, of his own initiative.

Im technically still in the dark.
But im like its a good arrangement. Just suck it up, just a few more months. Im bothered, and dither between giving her notice or letting it be.

A few days ago, she does the hard work for me and gives notice. Great. Shes gone in a month.

However today, we spent the day out. We tell her well be out and guess who comes back in the house? The guy. Annoyingly he parked on our drive when we had planned for the dog walker to use it.

Im really annoyed. I feel like my space has been violated. I dont know this man, and for all i know, she doesnt really either. She was vetoed before being allowed in the house but now the door's been swung open to a man, when we have a little girl with us.

AiBU in confronting her? Im not a confrontational type and feel myself shaking just thinking about the chat itself but I'm 15 weeks pregnant and upset. At this point I dont want him here and want to tell her as much. It all feels so dodgy. Her life is her business as long as it is away from here.

OP posts:
Motomum23 · 14/06/2026 01:28

Im really confused.... your objection to this stranger in your home is because you listened in to their private conversation and found him to be crass and disgusting? Thats the issue?? If so id say YABU because you'd never know if you weren't being incredibly nosey. I get its your home but im willing to bet she didn't think you'd use dog security cameras to eavesdrop on her conversation.

Catroo · 14/06/2026 01:30

I don't understand what she's done wrong?
It doesn't sound like any of your lodger rules have been broken?
Honestly, as lodgers go it sounds like she has been a dream. Giving the fact she's leaving soon just leave it

Peakyblinder18 · 14/06/2026 01:36

Just tell her no more visitors

DysmalRadius · 14/06/2026 01:42

So you spied on your lodger and her boyfriend and listened to her private conversations with him from when you weren't in the house; your husband gave her the third degree about her new boyfriend and then went out to meet him like some weird overbearing father in a sitcom, and now your furious because they waited until you went out to spend time in your home, but also your daughter lives there so she shouldn't be allowed to have him over then either, despite you explicitly inviting her to have people over previously.

I'm not sure you're cut out to have lodgers - you seem really confused where the line is between your business and hers.

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 01:47

Motomum23 · 14/06/2026 01:28

Im really confused.... your objection to this stranger in your home is because you listened in to their private conversation and found him to be crass and disgusting? Thats the issue?? If so id say YABU because you'd never know if you weren't being incredibly nosey. I get its your home but im willing to bet she didn't think you'd use dog security cameras to eavesdrop on her conversation.

Honestly, yes I agree, i probably would have been the first to ask her when we got back about the guy if I hadn't heard. I dont think i was being "incredibly nosey". Its a strange man in my home, where I live and my safe space. Of course I'm going to want to know who they are.

I would have gotten over it had she made some kind of attempt to introduce us. Theres been opportunity but shes chosen not to. Thats the bit thats bothering me

OP posts:
UpDownAllAround1 · 14/06/2026 01:50

erm, do you get what a lodger actually is? She sounds fine. You sound more like a concerned mother over a teenage romance

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 14/06/2026 01:51

You’re going to have fun when your daughter gets older and starts to date.

As for the lodger, from what you’ve said her boyfriend is never in the house without her or when you’re there. What exactly do you think he’s going to do? And she’s leaving soon.

If you get lodgers in future, tell them they can’t have visitors at all.

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 01:55

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 14/06/2026 01:51

You’re going to have fun when your daughter gets older and starts to date.

As for the lodger, from what you’ve said her boyfriend is never in the house without her or when you’re there. What exactly do you think he’s going to do? And she’s leaving soon.

If you get lodgers in future, tell them they can’t have visitors at all.

Ha good one. I still have a long wait until then
No, this was always going to be a one off. We only extended cos we like her. And yes, shes been impeccable otherwise.

OP posts:
NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 01:58

Catroo · 14/06/2026 01:30

I don't understand what she's done wrong?
It doesn't sound like any of your lodger rules have been broken?
Honestly, as lodgers go it sounds like she has been a dream. Giving the fact she's leaving soon just leave it

Thank you, seeing shes leaving, saying anything now will just seem like picking a grudge or being petty. Its only another 3 weeks. But I will say something about the drive, that bit was annoying.

OP posts:
McSpoot · 14/06/2026 02:01

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 01:58

Thank you, seeing shes leaving, saying anything now will just seem like picking a grudge or being petty. Its only another 3 weeks. But I will say something about the drive, that bit was annoying.

It is being petty. Also, overbearing, rude, and crossing boundaries.

JustinesGraspingAvarice · 14/06/2026 02:11

This reply has been deleted

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MegJoBethandAmytoo · 14/06/2026 02:13

Unfortunately I do think that you're the problem here, not the lodger.

I think that your problem was making friends with her and drawing her into your family whilst still expecting her to be a regular lodger.

Her relationship status changed but it doesn't sound as if she has changed. Her and the new man havent treated the house badly, she waited until you were all out before having sex / having him inside, I couldn't be bothered to even spend energy getting annoyed about where he parked (you were out! ) and their conversation was private. Im not sure that your DH should've rushed outside to meet and question him , its all a bit embarrassing. She's a lodger, not family.

Don't be over friendly and chummy with your lodger - set boundaries and fair expectations if / when you advertise for a new person and maybe amend the CCTV so that it doesn't record sound. It seems a bit over the top to be honest.

IndigoBluey · 14/06/2026 02:14

I’m not sure what you would be calling her up for anyway? She isn’t obligated to share details of her private life with you. What would you plan on speaking to her about?

PumpkinPieAlibi · 14/06/2026 02:35

She's literally done nothing wrong.

You'd probably have a leg to stand on if no visitors were allowed, but seeing that they are and you've actively encouraged them, what exactly is the issue? That she didn't tell you/get your permission on this particular guy?

ItstoolateformeDaveyourselves · 14/06/2026 02:40

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 01:58

Thank you, seeing shes leaving, saying anything now will just seem like picking a grudge or being petty. Its only another 3 weeks. But I will say something about the drive, that bit was annoying.

Just don't. You've made yourselves clear. Job done.

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 02:49

MegJoBethandAmytoo · 14/06/2026 02:13

Unfortunately I do think that you're the problem here, not the lodger.

I think that your problem was making friends with her and drawing her into your family whilst still expecting her to be a regular lodger.

Her relationship status changed but it doesn't sound as if she has changed. Her and the new man havent treated the house badly, she waited until you were all out before having sex / having him inside, I couldn't be bothered to even spend energy getting annoyed about where he parked (you were out! ) and their conversation was private. Im not sure that your DH should've rushed outside to meet and question him , its all a bit embarrassing. She's a lodger, not family.

Don't be over friendly and chummy with your lodger - set boundaries and fair expectations if / when you advertise for a new person and maybe amend the CCTV so that it doesn't record sound. It seems a bit over the top to be honest.

You live and learn.
The parking was a problem, and I will mention that she needs to say if she is intending on using it. We were out but our dog walker was expecting to use it! The agreement states clearly she can park her car (if any) off road.
We wont take any more lodgers.
And he didn't question him. He just went to say hello.

OP posts:
ShakyBake · 14/06/2026 02:53

I think you're being a bit unreasonable, I'm sorry OP.
You went from being welcoming of her treating your house as her home (and even pushing for her to bring visitors) to wanting her gone because, from what I can see, she made a comment about your ability to kill plants? Is that really the issue here OP, you didn't like the plant comment did you?

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 02:53

IndigoBluey · 14/06/2026 02:14

I’m not sure what you would be calling her up for anyway? She isn’t obligated to share details of her private life with you. What would you plan on speaking to her about?

Let us know someone is visiting. I think it would have been the polite thing to do, but yes, it was never requested she did so, even though she has in the past.
The person did use the drive when we had intended for it to be used by our dog walker so I will mention this to her. Thankfully the agreement is clear that she is entitled to off road parking, not to share our drive.

OP posts:
Eenameenadeeka · 14/06/2026 02:53

Can't understand what you are upset about. She pays to live in your house, making it her home too. She's allowed to have a boyfriend visit at her home. If you don't want him to park there, let her know but you're making a massive issue out of something that's really not a big deal, you don't really sound suited to having a lodger (I definitely couldn't do it.)

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 02:54

ShakyBake · 14/06/2026 02:53

I think you're being a bit unreasonable, I'm sorry OP.
You went from being welcoming of her treating your house as her home (and even pushing for her to bring visitors) to wanting her gone because, from what I can see, she made a comment about your ability to kill plants? Is that really the issue here OP, you didn't like the plant comment did you?

I didnt like a strange man coming into my house saying I drink j*zz

OP posts:
JustAnotherWhinger · 14/06/2026 02:56

Only bringing the guy she’s shagging round, most likely for sex, when you’re out is the opposite of disrespectful. You’re not her parents, you don’t need to meet someone.

Listening in to conversations, which is what you did - overhearing a snippet is one thing but you listened to the whole thing - is always bound to end up with hearing things you don’t like. And I’d bet you were not clear with her that that’s what you’d do. Having cameras is one thing, we have them because we have carers, nurses and respite staff in and out our home, never once have I listened to the conversations of people who live here and their boyfriends.

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 02:57

Eenameenadeeka · 14/06/2026 02:53

Can't understand what you are upset about. She pays to live in your house, making it her home too. She's allowed to have a boyfriend visit at her home. If you don't want him to park there, let her know but you're making a massive issue out of something that's really not a big deal, you don't really sound suited to having a lodger (I definitely couldn't do it.)

Ive come to realise i dont like not knowing who's in the house. And its ok to find out. And I dont like the comments hes made, no. This lodging experience will probably remain as a one off instance

OP posts:
ShakyBake · 14/06/2026 03:00

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 02:54

I didnt like a strange man coming into my house saying I drink j*zz

Understandable and I wouldn't neither especially if I had a young family. But then I wouldn't have looked for this type of arrangement, but I understand the rental income in handy.

I'd look forward to the day she moves out then OP . Not so much because I think she's done anything wrong, just that this arrangement has run the corse

Why did he think you drank the thing you mentioned?

Pearshapedpear · 14/06/2026 03:01

You sound like hard work OP

NewAgeDawning · 14/06/2026 03:03

JustAnotherWhinger · 14/06/2026 02:56

Only bringing the guy she’s shagging round, most likely for sex, when you’re out is the opposite of disrespectful. You’re not her parents, you don’t need to meet someone.

Listening in to conversations, which is what you did - overhearing a snippet is one thing but you listened to the whole thing - is always bound to end up with hearing things you don’t like. And I’d bet you were not clear with her that that’s what you’d do. Having cameras is one thing, we have them because we have carers, nurses and respite staff in and out our home, never once have I listened to the conversations of people who live here and their boyfriends.

Ive never listened, but did on this occasion. We didnt know who the man was, up to this point, no one unknown to us had come in so that took us by surprise so of course I am going to want to know if theres a security issue. Has he come to burgle the house? I was genuinely scared when we first saw him through the camera.

OP posts: