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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

Partner lying about owning a house..

210 replies

Smileandbe · 07/06/2022 14:35

Hi all,

I have been with my partner for a couple of years now, he owns his own place (or so I thought) and I own mine. He has basically moved in with me (it's easier for us both this way due to being closer to work) and we've lived together just over a year.

We try to go to his place once a week. Recently I have suggested I would like to move forward maybe get a place together or rent one of our places out so we are better off financially. He reacted badly to this and says he doesn't want to sell his place or rent it out. I am happy to sell or rent mine if it means we move forward together. I presumed he was struggling with commitment and maybe it was too soon for him to move forward, despite the fact we live together already.

I have since discovered (from some papers he threw out and asked me to shred) that he doesn't actually own his property but rather rents it from his ex in laws. I've done a check online and confirmed this is the case. He doesn't know that I know yet.

My first reaction was shock. He's told me since we met that he has worked so hard to get a mortgage and pay it as a single person (as I have too). He's told me he has 5 years left on his mortgage, that he's locked in for 5 years so he'd get a good rate and not be affected by the cost of living crisis in that respect etc etc. He planned to sell his flat when he retired and get a mobile home so he could travel abroad more. He's not simply lied about owning a property, he's fabricated a lifestyle.

I couldn't care less if he had absolutely nothing when we first met. I've never asked or wanted anything physically from him and I do not consider myself to be a materialistic person. I would have loved him the same whatever but the fact that he has been lying to me all this time is so confusing. I don't understand why he feels he needs to do it and when he plans on telling me the truth. I am still struggling to process it.

I really do not know the best way to approach this with him. If anyone has any input I'd be so grateful 🙏 thank you

OP posts:
user1471538283 · 07/06/2022 17:32

I wouldnt even give him the time to tell him hes dumped. I would just never speak to him again.

You've still got your lovely home.

Octomore · 07/06/2022 17:35

Women are incredibly socially conditioned to pander to men's foibles and be 'nice' aren't they? Don't challenge him or rock the boat too much, just discuss it, and always be prepared to believe his explanation, no matter how bizarre it is. God forbid a woman should have higher standards than being happy to settle for a man who tells outright lies to her face.

CruelSummers · 07/06/2022 17:38

A very, very similar thing happened to me.

He lied about owning his flat, then despite "loving living there" had to sell quickly because he wanted a house. Apparently. Told me in great detail about the profit he'd made, conversations with his solicitor etc. I helped him to patch up paintwork, steam clean the carpets etc when he was 'selling' despite me telling him a few marks on the walls wouldn't bother the new buyers. But it was a 'matter of pride' to him and 'doing the right thing' apparently. ha!
But, obviously his rent was up and he needed to get his deposit back. I found out after noticing his flat was up for rent, not sale. Did a land registry search. Belonged to the same owner for 15 years, that was not him.

Honestly, just so unbelievably pathetic. Couldn't look at him again. In the bin immediately. I couldn't care less what the reasons are. Absolute loser!

Iflyaway · 07/06/2022 17:39

I have since discovered (from some papers he threw out and asked me to shred) that he doesn't actually own his property but rather rents it from his ex in laws. I've done a check online and confirmed this is the case. He doesn't know that I know yet.

This would be a deal-breaker for me.

Sorry OP, you have to deal with this. It's the worst thing to be lied to in a relationship with these kind of consequences.

stepuporshutup · 07/06/2022 17:41

Do you think he gave you the papers hoping you would read them because he didn't want to tell you himself. Either way this is too big to ignore. Kick him out and as pp has said it is very creepy

Octomore · 07/06/2022 17:41

CruelSummers · 07/06/2022 17:38

A very, very similar thing happened to me.

He lied about owning his flat, then despite "loving living there" had to sell quickly because he wanted a house. Apparently. Told me in great detail about the profit he'd made, conversations with his solicitor etc. I helped him to patch up paintwork, steam clean the carpets etc when he was 'selling' despite me telling him a few marks on the walls wouldn't bother the new buyers. But it was a 'matter of pride' to him and 'doing the right thing' apparently. ha!
But, obviously his rent was up and he needed to get his deposit back. I found out after noticing his flat was up for rent, not sale. Did a land registry search. Belonged to the same owner for 15 years, that was not him.

Honestly, just so unbelievably pathetic. Couldn't look at him again. In the bin immediately. I couldn't care less what the reasons are. Absolute loser!

Ugh. Was he even embarassed about being caught in the lie when you dumped him?

IncompleteSenten · 07/06/2022 17:43

If it was me, I'd hand the papers back to him and say did you mean to have me shred these documents that show you are renting your home from your ex in laws?

I strongly advise you not to move in with or have any financial ties to him.

Onwards22 · 07/06/2022 17:44

It sounds like they may have split but she didn’t want to sell the house so the in laws brought a home at a similar value and he has been paying them the shortfall in rent.

So he will eventually own it but legally the in laws still own it.

Onwards22 · 07/06/2022 17:46

*brought his house at half the value (or just over) of the house he shared with his ex.
So they didn’t have to sell it and split the money that way.

CruelSummers · 07/06/2022 17:47

Octomore · 07/06/2022 17:41

Ugh. Was he even embarassed about being caught in the lie when you dumped him?

He'd come to my house to collect some of his things and I confronted him, his response was "oh for gods sake" then off he trotted. Too embarrassed to even face up to it I think.
I think I cringed for about a week afterwards.

NancyDrooo · 07/06/2022 17:47

Is it possible that he was unable to get his own mortgage after he split with his ex (due to bad credit or not earning enough) and her parents offered to help out by buying the flat on his behalf with the condition that he covers the mortgage every month, then it’s his?

Either way, just tell him you saw the rent details and ask him outright what the situation is.

NancyDrooo · 07/06/2022 17:51

user1471538283 · 07/06/2022 17:32

I wouldnt even give him the time to tell him hes dumped. I would just never speak to him again.

You've still got your lovely home.

You wouldn’t even ask what the situation is and why he lied? You’d just walk away from a two year relationship without a backwards glance? How odd.

KettrickenSmiled · 07/06/2022 17:51

Onwards22 · 07/06/2022 17:44

It sounds like they may have split but she didn’t want to sell the house so the in laws brought a home at a similar value and he has been paying them the shortfall in rent.

So he will eventually own it but legally the in laws still own it.

It sounds like nothing of the sort!

He is lying out of his arse.
Detailed, outrageous lies.

OP - well done for having enough about you to immediately check the Land Registry etc. May I suggest you do one further, & check your own credit rating now? Not to panic you, as Walter Mitty doesn't sound very bright - but you never know what he might have got up to.

Vijia · 07/06/2022 17:51

Do not confront him because you will get more lies.

The women situation is a real concern because he very likely has more than one woman on the go for financial or other, benefit.

So land registry to check and then make others aware who you know that you want this man out.

If you have ever felt frightened or intimidated by him then you can ring your dv help line or non emergency police number for advice about kicking someone out that is safe for you.

They will have a record of your call and if you given them all his details they won't need to act upon it unless he refuses to go or the situation turns ugly or worries you in any way.

Confide in someone op in RL. Someone you can completely trust.

Check your credit score/ accounts.

He is definitely a con artist and they are very charming and plausible. Beware.

Good luck

MarvellousMay · 07/06/2022 17:51

I’d hear him out and then end the relationship. You’ll never trust him again but I’d like to hear how he explains it.

pictish · 07/06/2022 17:52

Ooh oh no. It’s too big a lie isn’t it? It’s got spin-offs and ramifications. He has looked you in the eye and shamelessly bullshitted you.Now you know you can’t trust what he says as the truth. It’s over.

Onwards22 · 07/06/2022 17:54

It sounds like nothing of the sort!

@KettrickenSmiled

Why do you think that?

How many in laws do you know that happily pay for a house for an ex partner of their DDs?

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 07/06/2022 17:54

AdviceNeeded367 · 07/06/2022 15:40

It literally costs £3 to order title deeds from
the Land Registry. It’s always worth doing your due diligence when you’re starting out with a new relationship.

Thank goodness you found out now rather than further down the line!

Admittedly it’s a while since I was in the dating game but are you seriously suggesting verifying a new partner’s property portfolio via the Land Registry as a matter of course?

EmmaH2022 · 07/06/2022 17:56

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 07/06/2022 17:54

Admittedly it’s a while since I was in the dating game but are you seriously suggesting verifying a new partner’s property portfolio via the Land Registry as a matter of course?

If you go as far as moving in, I can see that argument.

ChairP0se9to5 · 07/06/2022 18:00

Rents from x ils?
Id be VERY WORRIED that he considers himself burnt by the first woman and is planning to "make it back" from you.

I have my own house and if somebody lied to me and presented himself as a 'fellow home owner' and let me think we were bringing the same assets to the table, id feel duped, tricked, conned, confued and SCARED of his intentions, not to mention, just massively turned of by the deceit.

CandidaAlbicans2 · 07/06/2022 18:02

@Smileandbe look, you've only been together 2 years and he's already lied and gaslit you when you caught him messaging another woman, and now he's lying about his home. Get rid of the twat.

CandidaAlbicans2 · 07/06/2022 18:03

@Smileandbe look, you've only been together 2 years and he's already lied and gaslit you when you caught him messaging another woman, and now he's lying about his home. Get rid of the twat.

chunkymandarincoulis · 07/06/2022 18:03

Oh OP.

You know what you have to do.

NancyDrooo · 07/06/2022 18:09

CandidaAlbicans2 · 07/06/2022 18:03

@Smileandbe look, you've only been together 2 years and he's already lied and gaslit you when you caught him messaging another woman, and now he's lying about his home. Get rid of the twat.

Ohhh. That’s even worse than the flat situation.

ChairP0se9to5 · 07/06/2022 18:13

Agree with posters who label him a clever cock lodger. He wanted to appear your equal but he isnt so even if you overlook this, it will end up costing you.

And he messages other women!?

Get him out of your house asap.

I would just tell him you've gone off him.