To want money back from ex?

[Teabeanie]

Long story short I lived with my ex for just under 18 months before I left him. We were In the process of adding me to his mortgage so we would be joint owners of his property. We renovated the property and spent around 12k all in. With hindsight I realise it was foolish to put 6k of my money into a property I didn’t own yet but at the time it was for keeps so it didn’t seem like an issue.

He initially said he would pay me back when we broke up but then refused as he was angry I’d left. I left due to emotional abuse, gaslighting and cheating. I’ve found out he intends to sell the property and I’m annoyed about the money I’ve lost. I’ve enquired with a no win no fee law firm but I’m not sure if I have a case? The renovations have definitely increased his property value as he has a new bathroom and kitchen. Should I email him and let him know I’m pursuing legal action? Or should I just move on and accept I made a stupid decision? I’m annoyed about the whole situation and want to move on but 6k isn’t a small amount of money. I’m just not sure on where I stand. Thank you

What did the law firm say?

I haven’t heard back from them yet. I’m waiting for them to confirm I have a case. They’ve acknowledged my email and said someone will get back to me

I can't see how you'd have a comeback in this one I'm afraid

YANBU to want your money back. Not sure if you’ll get it though. It could be argued you benefited regardless as you lived there to enjoy it. Did you pay rent?

Legally I have no idea - you need real advice OP but it won’t be cheap

i offered to pay rent but he wouldn’t accept it unfortunately. I read somewhere that if you pay for improvements to a property you can sometimes get the money back if the property is sold but it wasn’t super clear. Will never make this mistake again

You move on and dont make rhe same mistake again.

Did you pay rent/contribute to bills?

I'd prob call it a day. Just tell yourself it was £333 a month rent for the time you lived there, it might be easier to accept.

I would suggest posting on the legal matters board (and getting legal advice). People on AIBU have no clue and will post what they think should happen rather than having the slightest legal knowledge to advise.

Honestly I think you just learned a £6000 lesson. I'd be very surprised if you'll get anything back, and the legal fees involved in pursuing it could well end up costing more than the money you lost anyway.

@MNHQ please could this be moved to legal matters? Thanks

It’s very likely to be this if it goes to court. There’s a lot of grey areas with cases like these, and it comes down to the judges opinion. It’s almost impossible to get money back that’s not a clear loan, plus you lived at the property rent free for 18 months while he had to pay the mortgage. I don’t think you have a leg to stand on unless you have it in a text or email where he’s agreed to pay you back.

Best to report your own post with this request.

Do you have receipts for the improvements?

I'd sue him for the money. File a lein against the property. That might be enough for him to cough up the 6k

Good lesson in never giving money to men as they never play fair.

Thanks I’ve reported it

@emptythelitterbox yes I have receipts and bank statements showing what was paid out as we split everything. He woken transfer me his half and I would pay the tradesmen. I want to sue him but not sure if I have a case. Thanks

But if you lived there rent free, doesn't it even out? Like the person above said- look at it as £333 a month rent.

When I moved in with my partner the biggest advice I was given is not to spend all my money on renovations, expensive furniture etc unless I was on the mortgage. This is because unfortunately you pretty much have no leg to stand on if you were to break up. Someone I knew spent double what you have and never got a penny back.

I think the only thing you could do is send a nicely written email or message to your ex and ask if there is anyway you could have all or some of the money back you spent on renovations as you really could do with having it back. If that fails then I think being realistic you pay have to accept that it’s £6000 you won’t see again

Just read that you also didn’t pay any rent. I would probably just cut your losses. Just see it as £333 on rent a month and move on

If you lived rent free all that time I personally would not risk spending a lot of money trying to get 6k back as that will be very easily lost in solicitor fees . Unless he admits he owes you money this is often difficult to prove .

The firm I’ve found take 25% which I can live with

But they wouldn't add £6000 worth of value to the property. And once you take the rent element off I doubt you'll get much at all, minus your solicitors fees.

Ok I see what everyone is saying. I’m going to chase the solicitor for an update

This. Move on OP.

Actually I'd go for it.

Give the ex one more chance before you sign up with the solicitor to pay just the £6k.

I think you should be working on the basis that the renovations have increased the value and values have gone up, potentially you may receive more through legal challenges.

Update, I have a case!! I provided bank statements and email receipts for furniture that was paid for by me (not big things just side tables and a footstool but they weren’t cheap) case worker has booked in a proper chat for Monday. Don’t know what will happen but it seems a little more positive