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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

My 26yo sister won’t move out of my place and it’s making me unhappy everyday

75 replies

Autumntimes · 19/03/2022 18:29

My sister has been living in my place for over a year and a half now. Initially I agreed to her staying with me as she was still in uni and I would like to help my family save money on rent for her. I told her and our parents that she has to move out by last year November as I really want to live by myself and with just my dog. In fact she was so messy that I could no longer tolerate it. I later on told her in various ways that she needed to clean up after herself in common area. She became better but still not ok imo. There are a lot of things that I really disliked which came down to personal preference which I’m not going to go into.

She is also v isolated. She came to my city (keeping this anon) as she wished to find a job here. Not having a single friend here she relied on me to take her out, introduced her to various parts of town, taking her to do various activities. I was happy to do so at first but it became such a responsibility that I stopped doing it altogether, as she would not go anywhere without me! I tried to push her to socialise more to no avail.

The worst thing was, she has a v “aggressive” way with dogs. She believes in punishment based dog training method which I stupidly and really regretfully followed first (as she had a dog before who sadly passed away). I know better now after reading books and hiring trainers. There are multiple things that I had told her not to do, such as scolding my dog, giving him treats right before bed, etc and she just wouldn’t listen sometimes.

It got so bad that sometimes we would just argue about various things like what I mentioned above that we would have shouting matches. Still, she would not move out. I even made it explicitly that she needs to consider my feelings and respect that this is my place and my property. And that I wish to live by myself. She would not listen. She even talked about bringing a dog in my flat!

I have no clue what to do without hurting our relationship. To be honest, it got to a point where I don’t really want to hang out with her anymore. I do so when I feel bad for her not having been outside for weeks cos she would not go outside without me. I start to find her voice annoying. I hate that she would just come into my room without me saying come in (after I explicitly told her not to multiple times). I hate that I have no privacy in my own home. My friends suggested I actively encourage her to move out in a helpful manner, for example helping her to find a new place. I don’t know whether that would work since she has no problem not moving out after I asked her to multiple times over the last few months. She is starting a new job in a few months which would require her to travel for an hour and a half if she were to stay with me. She still would like to stay with me indefinitely! And she is hoping she can work from home full time! The good thing is she actually started to look at the rental market (but I’m not sure how serious she is).

What should I do next and how do I stay sane in the meantime??

OP posts:
BadgeronaMoped · 19/03/2022 20:33

I agree with pervious posters who have suggested that you give both her and your parents notice, six weeks is generous. I would suggest that you get a friend round to help you when it's time for her to leave. I'm sorry, it sounds like an awful situation, you've been very kind to let her live in your space for so long.

Autumntimes · 19/03/2022 20:34

@Outfoxedbyrabbits

I have no clue what to do without hurting our relationship.

Do you think your sister worries about hurting your relationship? Of course she doesn't - her behaviour shows she doesn't worry about you at all!

"You have repeatedly disrespected me and my home. You have one week to move out."

Then after a week put ALL her things outside and change the locks (or add a bolt).

What on earth was the dynamic like when you were both growing up that's resulted in this piss taking now?

She’s the middle child that did not get the same attention as me and my brother did. That would be my best guess. Growing up she felt like our parents “owed” her for various things that me and my brother got but she didn’t. I can see why she felt this way but I do think you otta be grateful.

During our fight, I told her exactly that. I think she understood where I was coming from, I hope.

OP posts:
Autumntimes · 19/03/2022 20:35

I know a lot of people have suggested kicking her out. That would be my last resort :( but has anyone actually kicked a close family member out before?

OP posts:
Autumntimes · 19/03/2022 20:38

@Mummyoflittledragon

I agree with many posters suggesting you let your parents pay for a room as a lodger or similar. You are sacrificing your mental health for your sister, who does not seem grateful for all your help despite saving her / your parents thousands.

Have you had a look at what is available right now in your city? Spare room, rightmove etc? (Just for your peace of mind btw). I bet she could find something to move into for the remaining few months. She’d need to pass references perhaps. But 2 weeks more or less should be achievable on something listed as available now.

I think you could tell her to leave immediately as she isn’t paying rent and I imagine therefore is classed as a guest. However it would be better to give her a short deadline such as 2 weeks in writing.

Can your parents mediate? Do they ever come to the U.K. for a visit?

As sad as it sounds, my parents couldn’t give a fk. I could tell they never did as it’s not their problem and they are miles away. They do come sometimes but again, they really don’t care. The best they could do is to tell us not to fight
OP posts:
HellToTheNope · 19/03/2022 20:38

@Autumntimes

I know a lot of people have suggested kicking her out. That would be my last resort :( but has anyone actually kicked a close family member out before?
You have reached the "last resort", op. That's reality. Your sister isn't someone you can deal with.
Autumntimes · 19/03/2022 20:41

Sadly, if I kicked her out now, she would demand more money from our parents for rent as she would either live with me, or live by herself. She lived in one bed flats pretty much most of her undergrad time. I swear that’s one of the key reasons why she wanted to stay with me so she wouldn’t have to spend £1k+ on rent

OP posts:
Toohardtofindaproperusername · 19/03/2022 20:41

don't kick her out. don't give her two weeks. Both of these are thigs that are hard to come back from, and ok if not family...
give her notice. say that this time it has to be taken seriously, and that you are taking it seriously - that you will give her 2 months to find somewhere, but that she needs to find somewhere else, and that its too complicated sharing a house as sisters. This gives some room for repair of relationship or not complete breakdown of realtionship.

if she has any sense she will find somewhere quick and go.

you don't get it in the neck by all and sundyr for giving her no notice - two months is fine, the reason is fine, it saves face for both of you.

you just have to be firm and clear about what happens on x date. and stick to it.

HellToTheNope · 19/03/2022 20:42

@Autumntimes

Sadly, if I kicked her out now, she would demand more money from our parents for rent as she would either live with me, or live by herself. She lived in one bed flats pretty much most of her undergrad time. I swear that’s one of the key reasons why she wanted to stay with me so she wouldn’t have to spend £1k+ on rent
That's not your problem. If your parents can't tell her no, that's their problem.
Autumntimes · 19/03/2022 20:44

@Porcupineintherough

Hang on a second.

Your sister wont lesvevthe house without you. She doesn't work. What exactly is the deal with her? Does she have special needs? Mental health problems? This isnt just a common or garden situation with one sibling mooching off another and driving them crazy, there's more going on.

She doesn’t have special needs. She just spent a few months on just looking for a job after finishing her masters. I don’t think she has mental health issues. Not that I know of.

She won’t leave the house without me most of the time cos she doesn’t have any friends here. She’s not the type that would go explore the city and do stuff. She would just be on the phone with friends from miles away or play video games while she wasn’t studying or looking for work

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 19/03/2022 20:46

I have read threads or comments from time to time from posters, who say they’ve had to resort to evicting their adult children, the occasional sibling or sister / brother of partner.

I’m sorry your parents are so detached. You aren’t responsible for their actions. It sounds as if your sister may perhaps be suffering from mental health issues as she’s refusing to do anything alone.

Nothing is going to change if the status quo remains. If anything, your relationship will deteriorate. In a way, making her leave will be forcing her out of her comfort zone and will perhaps help her over the long term to succeed.

You cannot save you both. Save yourself.

IncompleteSenten · 19/03/2022 20:46

If your parents choose to give her money that's between them and not something you need to involve yourself in or protect them from. They're grown ups.

When you can't have what you want then you have to choose the option that you dislike the least from what is actually available to you.

She's not going to magically transform so you either carry on as you are or you force change. Either one comes at a price. It comes down to what price you prefer to pay.

Cameleongirl · 19/03/2022 20:47

She's 26 and is essentially behaving like a child, expecting her parents and her sister to house her and pay all her bills. It's not acceptable and she needs to grow up. She's about to start a new job and she needs to move out.

As your parents are willing to subsidize her, perhaps they could offer to pay her deposit and first month's rent - insist on it and say they won't continue to subsidize her living with you.

urbanbuddha · 19/03/2022 20:48

Help her with flat hunting. Make it exciting. If you don't want her gone till September you can spend time looking for the right place, closer to her new job. If you find the right place between now and September she could find temporary work closer to her new place.

hellcatspangle · 19/03/2022 20:59

I would tell your parents all the reasons why it's not working, and suggest she moves out on a six month lease elsewhere until she gets a new place for her job.

Explain to them and her that your relationship won't survive if she carries on living with you, and you don't want to end up falling out with her.

Start looking on rightmove now (or spare room if she fancies a house share)

OnaBegonia · 19/03/2022 21:05

Starting the job in September then giving her a few months is the best part of a year!!
Why if she has been studying has she no friends or social life from uni?
She's behaving like an entitled brat, deadline of 6weeks and tell her you have. a lodger lined up, parents can pay rent elsewhere for her.

Cameleongirl · 19/03/2022 21:11

@urbanbuddha

Help her with flat hunting. Make it exciting. If you don't want her gone till September you can spend time looking for the right place, closer to her new job. If you find the right place between now and September she could find temporary work closer to her new place.
I wouldn't bother trying to make it exciting, tbh, she's 26, not 6 and she needs to start acting like an adult!
ittakes2 · 19/03/2022 21:19

I am sorry I think she has already damaged your relationship - you have been trying to help your parents save money....but they don't seem to be trying to help you resolve this situation. My suggestion is you find her somewhere and they pay more for it. You have already saved them so much in rent already so you should not feel bad - they should be feeling bad for not getting her out after November.

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/03/2022 21:46

When did she finish studying? September? before? It’s really unfair to expect you to provide a roof over her head for months whilst neither studying nor working, especially now she has a job lined up.

Itsbackagain · 19/03/2022 21:54

@Autumntimes

Sadly, if I kicked her out now, she would demand more money from our parents for rent as she would either live with me, or live by herself. She lived in one bed flats pretty much most of her undergrad time. I swear that’s one of the key reasons why she wanted to stay with me so she wouldn’t have to spend £1k+ on rent
That's not your problem though, that's your parents and hers. You aren't her mum/dad but I think you've taken on that role. You really aren't doing her any favours (or your doggy)! I had my BIL live with me. He lasted six weeks before I found him somewhere to live because I couldn't stand him any more. I would probably have moved out if he hadn't. Time to take a step back. Tell her you want your home back and be pro-active about helping find her somewhere to live.
NeverDropYourMooncup · 19/03/2022 21:59

@Autumntimes

Sadly, if I kicked her out now, she would demand more money from our parents for rent as she would either live with me, or live by herself. She lived in one bed flats pretty much most of her undergrad time. I swear that’s one of the key reasons why she wanted to stay with me so she wouldn’t have to spend £1k+ on rent
Oh well, that's their problem, not yours.
NowEvenBetter · 19/03/2022 22:13

Tell her she will be out by May, it’s not working out, she can go and have fun living independently or your parents can continue to fund her. Who cares. Not your problem.
You’re making this needlessly complex, doesn’t sound like there’s much of a relationship to keep, and she’s not your problem. Your parents and her will continue to guilt you into taking on the burden, don’t fall for it.

FrogFairy · 19/03/2022 22:23

Why can’t she join your parents overseas for a few months?

Okeydoky · 19/03/2022 22:39

I would sit her down now and be honest. Tell her you love and care about her but you feel like living together is putting a strain on your relationship particularly as you would really like to live alone. You value your relationship with her and therefore you have decided that she will need to move out just before she starts her new job. You would of course be happy to help her find somewhere, assist with the practicalities etc.

Loving but firm. Do not back down.

SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 19/03/2022 22:50

Can I clarify - are you saying that she will only live on her own in a one-bedroom flat (if not with you)?

Does she refuse to look at house shares, or has she just never tried it?

Autumntimes · 19/03/2022 23:15

@Okeydoky

I would sit her down now and be honest. Tell her you love and care about her but you feel like living together is putting a strain on your relationship particularly as you would really like to live alone. You value your relationship with her and therefore you have decided that she will need to move out just before she starts her new job. You would of course be happy to help her find somewhere, assist with the practicalities etc.

Loving but firm. Do not back down.

Thank you! I think this would be my go to next step. I really do think kicking her out would be difficult for me. I do not wish to go down that route.

I had another chat with her just now. She said she wants to stay with me for a bit more after she start her job to feel it out where she could move to next. I told her I did not have that luxury when I first started and I’m happy to help her to house hunt. That did not go well.

I really do think I need to be honest with her how unhappy I have been the last year or so and that although I love her, I just don’t think we are compatible housemates.

OP posts:
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