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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

Viewing a house to rent without telling DH

92 replies

Dutchhouse8 · 01/06/2021 12:10

I'm viewing a house tomorrow and I've not told my anyone my plans. Really nervous. Have 2 children (7 and 4). We are homeowners (mortgaged) and husband made clear in the past that he would not move out if we were to separate. I know people often advise on here to not move out of the family home. What are the reasons for this? I am not worried about arrangements with children. Very likely I will be doing the lions share. Is it a financial thing? I make (slightly) more money than him and have the greater future earning potential. I have enough saved to cover 6 months private renting but no more. Just needed the breathing space and want a bolt hole when I tell him I want to separate. Any advice/ a hand hold would be really appreciated.

OP posts:
BlueButtercups · 02/06/2021 12:16

@Dutchhouse8

Thanks. OK I did both in the end - contacted a solicitor for an initial consultation and also viewed the house. The house would be ideal for what I need and I have told them I will come back with a decision by tomorrow morning. Things move really fast here - they probably wanted a decision on the spot! I have decided to tell him tonight once kids are in bed and give him the option to go to his mums. They don't have that kind of relationship and she isn't all that local so I think unlikely but it really is the only other option. If he says no then I will take the rented house and then will begin stuff with the solicitor. I am so nervous of his reaction I plan to have a bag ready in case I need to leave quickly.

will they give you that long to decide ?

is anyone else viewing it?

be careful telling him OP, is it safe to do this.

🌸🌺

timeisnotaline · 02/06/2021 12:19

But will you definitely get the house? If not I wouldn’t tell him until you have it. If he doesn’t like that it’s on him- that’s the consequences for shouting and hitting things.

Millshake01 · 02/06/2021 15:19

How did it go?

Millshake01 · 02/06/2021 15:19

@Dutchhouse8

Dutchhouse8 · 02/06/2021 17:55

Going to speak to him once kids are in bed. Letting agent said that they will wait until morning for an answer but like PP said, it isn't actually confirmed that I will definitely get the house! I have a massive knot in my stomach I am honestly dreading this conversation as I know how it is going to go. I need to remind myself of all the reasons why. Will update how it goes. I put a bag in the boot with stuff for me and the kids in case we need to leave. V unlikely but I am nervous after last time

OP posts:
Millshake01 · 02/06/2021 18:36

I understand your anxiety. My husband is similar. He turned nasty when I told him to leave. It took him a week to pack so I had the whole week listening to how I couldn't cope on my own. Being called vile. He got pretty nasty.
Wish I was financially secure like you. Good luck you got this!

JanFebAnyMonth · 02/06/2021 18:45

If a partner is abusive - which it sounds like yours is - the most dangerous time is when you’re leaving. It sounds vanishingly unlikely that he’ll agree to go, so I’d go ahead with confirming you can have the rental and wait until plans are further progressed before telling him.

Look at the Women’s Aid website for definitions of abuse / what to pack if you’re leaving in such circs - their 24 hr helpline number.

I didn’t tell my husband until I’d actually moved out!

MagentaDragon · 02/06/2021 20:54

I hope you're ok OP.

Dutchhouse8 · 02/06/2021 23:02

Thank you for the advice and I looked at the website. Strange to see things there that I experience written as abuse.

I spoke to him this evening and I was very clear and firm that we are separating. So far there has been no rage but last time there was a delay of a few days. I might go out all day tomorrow as he has the day off and I don't want to be around.

He seemed to think he could command me to stay. Kept saying "We have NO option." And suggesting we separate but "Put up a front." I said no. He is quite used to bossing me around and I bite my tongue and do as I'm told to keep the peace so I'm hoping this is the start of something new.

I'm going to apply for the rental tomorrow morning and it is empty just getting new carpets I so I could be in v soon basically once references are done. I'm hopeful but remain nervous about the fallout and honestly I still have my bag in the boot of the car and my shoes and socks next to the bed.

Thank you all so much I've found so much helpful advice and things to consider on this thread. It has been so reassuring knowing people are helping from afar and made me feel far less alone.

OP posts:
MagentaDragon · 02/06/2021 23:14

Well done OP for being so firm. You are not alone, we are here whenever you want to talk. There are so many knowledgable people here who can help you with the legalities etc. This is your first step to freedom and you've done it. I'm glad he wasn't aggressive but please still be careful given you said that last time you tried to leave his aggression manifested later.

Did you ask him to leave the house and go to his mother's? I still think it's unreasonable for you to move out if you are the only one who could potentially afford to live there independently and you're the primary carer of the children.

BlueButtercups · 03/06/2021 00:31

@Dutchhouse8

OP best of luck with the rental in the morning 🌸🌺

Sweatycracks · 03/06/2021 06:57

Goo luck OP. Watch out for any sudden aggressive moves when he realise you’re actually going through with it.

Hope you’ve got your passports / documents etc in a safe place. With a friend would be better than in the boot...

Dutchhouse8 · 03/06/2021 08:24

Thanks all. Terrible night sleep!

Not heard back from solicitor it was an online enquiry form and not even had an acknowledgement message so maybe it went wrong. Will try again today.

Good idea to remove important stuff from the boot. I will do that today.

@Magentadragon I did bring up his mums but even I knew it was an odd suggestion as they really aren't close and she lives a distance away. Not really suitable for him to have kids there either as she has a small house and a large dog that isn't ok to be with children. Anyway, he said no!

I do think he might come to terms with the idea of him moving out over time because his only concern last night was for the kids and wanting this house to be their home. He didn't want them moving across homes. Although that might just be more control because he acknowledged he wouldn't sort the kids...his first question when I suggested him staying put was "How will I pay the mortgage and do the kids?" He is part of a club which means he is out a lot. Training or at socials or organising events, meetings etc. His commitment to it can't be scaled back easily (although not impossible!) and he won't want to anyway so he is acknowledging that he doesn't pull his weight with the kids at least.

I should also add that some of his work he does from the garage and has all his tools set up in there kind of as a workshop. That was the other reason I thought he might need to stay put initially.

I agree ridiculous for me to be doing all this...moving, having the kids and paying the rent but I feel like it buys us time and space. I know PP said these savings are a marital asset and I'm kind of feeling like I'm spending it so both of us can have this. The whole time I was saving it was intended for this purpose. He doesn't know about the money and I don't plan on telling him. Will tell him my brother lent it to me (this is believable as my brother could do this if I needed it.)

I swing between thinking it is a waste of money to thinking it will be the best money I ever spent.

OP posts:
Sweatycracks · 03/06/2021 09:14

You’re on your way OP! Stay strong and get out!

Weenurse · 03/06/2021 09:25

Good luck 💐

doucey · 03/06/2021 09:41

Glad to read you are beginning to realise just how strong you are OP Thanks

Dailydingo · 03/06/2021 09:42

following as I'm thinking of doing this. If you move to the (empty) rented house then what will you do for furniture and other bits like kitchen stuff. Will you need to buy a whole house worth of furniture, bedding, curtains, plates etc ?

osbertthesyrianhamster · 03/06/2021 09:45

Go for it! And I'd take the advice to see a solicitor as well.

hatcoatscarfalcohol · 03/06/2021 09:45

You are absolutely doing the right thing. That must have taken great courage but it shows you have it in you to keep going and see this through.

Stay safe and don't let him suck you back under his control. Look for the control motive, bat him away and keep on with your exit.

Please do not hesitate to call the police if he becomes angry/smashy, or Women's Aid if you need help finding emergency accommodation, or using the words "domestic abuse" when talking to solicitors so that they understand the dynamics of the situation and how best to help you.

notapizzaeater · 03/06/2021 09:50

Did they say how quickly they can move so you can get In? Does your ex realise you are going to move out or does he think you're going to separate in the house ? Can he afford the bills in the house on his own (and pay cms for you ?)

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/06/2021 15:47

Best of luck Flowers

pilates · 03/06/2021 16:03

You seem to have thought this out well but I would get some legal advice too. Good luck and stick to your guns.

JanFebAnyMonth · 03/06/2021 16:04

@Dailydingo

following as I'm thinking of doing this. If you move to the (empty) rented house then what will you do for furniture and other bits like kitchen stuff. Will you need to buy a whole house worth of furniture, bedding, curtains, plates etc ?
In theory the OP can take what she needs with her... in practise this might not be so easy.

As I did all the prep in secret, and had no spare money after paying the deposit on the rental - wasn’t working at the time - this is what I did:

Started paying rent and got the keys a couple of weeks before I was planning to move, then:
• Stealthily removed things we had two of that I knew my ex wouldn’t notice, eg a spare vacuum cleaner
• packed other small things that I knew were important for the children, eg Christmas tree
• told a couple of trusted friends and some relatives. This was key. Between them they bought and installed bunk beds for my kids, gave me the money to buy a washing machine, and sourced a whole houseful of furniture which was basically being given away by the family of an elderly lady who had to go into a home at short notice. (I didn’t mind that it wasn’t exactly modern!) Rellies moved it all in for me, we made some clever arrangement so I could get the key to them!
• My pièce de resistance was getting my friend’s husband to “buy” the futon bed that my husband wanted to get rid of at the time. Guess where it ended up?! And unusually, my H never asked for the money which the friend had paid me for it (she hadn’t!)

My ex has never really figured out how I managed to move into a fully furnished home!

Yellowshirt · 03/06/2021 16:59

Your absolutely mad to move out. I did it 3 years a go . It was a massive mistake.

He will throw obstacles in your way left , right and centre. Even something as simple as getting the house valued he will dictate and you will have to settle for a lower valuation than its actually worth.
Also any furniture and valuables become worthless or disappear.

Good luck with everything. Grab any financial paperwork before you leave. Bank statements etc as he will probably change the locks and start divorce proceedings immediately I waited the 6 months taking my ex's advice. Don't make my mistakes.

BlueButtercups · 03/06/2021 17:39

Last time I said I wanted to separate he was extremely intimidating and angry smashing things up etc. He is a very difficult man at times and I can't bear the idea of living with him during this time.

this is MORE than enough to believe OP is being reasonable in moving out instead of trying to force Him out, as he refuses anyway.