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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

Want to leave but realistically what can I do?

13 replies

Getmeoutof · 21/11/2022 00:35

I've been unhappy in my relationship for quite some time. We have 2dc (9 & 4) and another on the way. I've had my suspicions about oh being unfaithful in the past although I've never been able to confirm it. The most I've ever found are messages I'd deem to be inappropriate between him and other women. More than once. One was very clearly instigated by him and she didn't know he was in a relationship, the other was instigated by her, she lived across the road at the time and was well aware he had a partner and kids. She was using him to try and get lifts places as she doesn't drive. He initially ignored it but then seemed receptive later on. I have no proof that anything ever happened. I found out about this at the end of March and we had a massive falling out. I wanted to end it. Oh moved onto the sofa but refused to leave, saying he loves us and couldn't leave the kids etc. We rent jointly so I can't make him leave and I also can't afford to leave and rent somewhere else privately.

Things stayed this way for a couple of months until May when our neighbour across the road hung himself and we were first on the scene along with his girlfriend. I'd normally have been at work but I'd taken the day off for an appointment. We arrived home from the school run just as she was about to go in. She seemed to know what she'd be going into, so I'm guessing she had woken up to messages from him or had some indication as to what had happened. We went up with her for support incase there was anything we could do but he was very much gone when we got there. This affected us both greatly, we'd known him quite well although to be honest neither of us actually liked him that much, but he was only 40 and it was completely avoidable. We were both traumatised by it and very vulnerable at that time. I allowed him back into my life and although we only slept together twice I ended up pregnant. I'd stopped my pill when we fell out in March as I was sick of the side effects and wasn't sleeping with anyone. OH was well aware of this and took no steps to avoid it either although neither of us were thinking straight at that time.

Life went on as normal, we found out about the pregnancy at the beginning of August and OH became quite distant and pretty much left me to deal with it all. It was clear to me that he wanted me to terminate but I couldn't do that. I had a termination years ago and have never forgiven myself for it. It all came to a head at the beginning of September when he went to a work event and got quite drink. He was messaging his friends telling them how 'phenomenal' the 'fanny' was at this event. I wasn't very happy about that and told him so, and he completely snapped and became quite verbally abusive towards me infront of our children. I managed to get him to leave as the children were getting very scared and upset, but as he was leaving he threw something and smashed our living room window.

Again he won't leave, so he's been back on the sofa since the beginning of September. He's also incredibly bad with money and I'm obviously worried knowing that we're having another baby in April. I've previously saved and bought everything for our last 2 myself even though he earns more than me. He contributes to bills although I still pay more. The last couple of months have been very difficult. We're running out of money earlier every month and everything I have saved over this year (again he has never contributed anything to savings) has mostly been spent just trying to make it through the last few months. We used to receive some child tax credits although since changing jobs last year we now earn just over the threshold to qualify, so we get no help. Which has been very difficult with the cost of everything increasing massively.

I'm deeply unhappy and desperately want to leave. I'm miserable all the time and feel so trapped. On my own I would be entitled to benefits, and likely maintenance from him as his working hours mean it's very unlikely he'd be able to have the kids for a significant amount of time if we split. But I'm trapped. I can't afford to move out and he won't leave. I've started filling out a council housing application but I've misplaced our birth certificates and need these to be able to submit it. It could take years for us to get anywhere, and I've no idea how I'd be able to furnish it if we did get somewhere. We'd be the lowest priority as we already have somewhere to live. The other issue is work and childcare. We currently rely on his dad and brother for childcare. I changed jobs last year and I'm starting at the bottom so the pay isn't great, but there's a lot of opportunity for progression. I've already received a promotion 6 months in, and they're paying for me to go back to college part time so I can move up further. This will already be delayed with me taking maternity leave. We live in an area where most people don't work. I've looked into childcare and there is absolutely nothing. There is only 1 childminder who is full, and there is an after school club in an area nearby but ive already emailed them and they won't pick up from our school and also don't take nursery children. I really don't want to have to quit my job.

So realistically what can I actually do? Am I just stuck here being miserable and skint forever?

OP posts:
Getmeoutof · 21/11/2022 07:09

Anyone?

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 21/11/2022 07:13

Could you afford your current home on your own if you could get him off the agreement ?
If he does anything like smashing a window again you ring the police.
You could try Women’s Aid for advice.

Getmeoutof · 21/11/2022 20:24

I could afford to stay here if he didn't live here as I would be entitled to some benefits. I already pay full rent by myself, but partner covers council tax and energy bill currently. This place will be too small for us once the baby arrives. its a small 2 bedroom flat, hence why I thought it would be easier for us to move rather than him.

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 21/11/2022 20:32

Can you get together enough money for a deposit and rent in advance for a place for you and the kids? I guess earning enough to rent it might be tricky as most letting agents require a certain salary to qualify to rent it, but some will take benefits into account. It’s no way to live with him on the sofa. Obviously not ideal bringing another baby into the situation so can see why he didn’t want that, but obviously that was your decision to make. If he will leave you’ll be fine with a 2 bed for some time as baby can be in with you for a couple of years at least. I’d try and get him to leave so you can both move on and stop living like this - not nice for any of you or the kids

jannier · 21/11/2022 20:36

Getmeoutof · 21/11/2022 20:24

I could afford to stay here if he didn't live here as I would be entitled to some benefits. I already pay full rent by myself, but partner covers council tax and energy bill currently. This place will be too small for us once the baby arrives. its a small 2 bedroom flat, hence why I thought it would be easier for us to move rather than him.

There are plenty of people who share a bedroom with baby so I wouldn't rule out it being too small. My friend has to sleep in her living room to give her older children a bedroom each...but they are happier than when they lived with dad too. Ask woman's aid for advice.

Catsandallthingscrazy · 21/11/2022 20:41

I'm going though a separation at the moment and sadly it's not straight forward, I would organise to change the locks when he leaves for work in the morning and leave it at that that. Stay in the flat and once the baby is born then approach family or trusted friends to help you out financially, then when you can pay them back. Start claiming benefits as soon as he's gone but whilst he lives under your roof you can't seek child maintenance from him , I know this for fact as that's exactly the issue I have here . This man is not a responsible father figure and so as soon as the baby is born you're going to become isolated and have the added worry if he's coming home every night. Get rid now whilst you still can. Make yourself happy , it sounds like you've already brought your two older children ul by yourself anyway so your half way there ! Stay strong and get those locks changed ASAP .

AperolWhore · 21/11/2022 20:50

Please do not and I repeat do not move house with him.

If you can afford the house without him, kick his ass out and claim everything you can. The baby will be in with you for at least 12 months so save save save then move once you are in a better financial position.

Make sure you put a claim on for CB and and remind yourself how lucky you are to escape him 🥰

Getmeoutof · 21/11/2022 20:52

@Catsandallthingscrazy I don't think I can do that from a legal point of view as we're joint tenants and rent privately. I also can't just leave as I would be making myself intentionally homeless and the council would have no obligation to house us. But he is very much against us splitting up and won't leave, and my current situation means I can't just rent somewhere else and leave. I believe as a joint tenant I can end the tenancy for both of us, but that would just leave everyone screwed!

OP posts:
Getmeoutof · 21/11/2022 21:05

@AperolWhore because of our situation I can't just kick him out.

I am good at saving and had managed to save a bit this year but most of it has gone now as he's so bad with money I've had to use it to cover bills. He's the higher earner yet contributes far less to the household and I'm always left to cover any shortfall. He has no access to my savings and doesn't know how much is there.

He's also very unreliable and lies to me sabout paying bills. I've found this out the hard way when twice my wages have been arrested as he hadn't paid the council tax and had lied to me telling me he had paid it. He's also done this before with our rent, we fell behind in 2018/2019 when I was on maternity leave. I was on smp and didn't get the full amount as I was a student during the
Qualifying period. He told me he had dealt with it and I received a text from our landlord in June 2020 telling me we owed him £2k! It's all paid off now, again by me! It's impossible to try and build a life with someone so unreliable who is also quite happy to lie to me.

OP posts:
Catsandallthingscrazy · 21/11/2022 21:30

Don't even consider building a life with him, he's a finacial burden that you cannot afford to have ! Contact your landlord and ask him to remove him from your tenancy agreement but explain why you want that to happen ! Maybe he'll/she'll see that the rent mainly comes from your bank account rather than his and will be happy with this. But either way don't even consider building a life with him , you'll live to regret it.

Getmeoutof · 21/11/2022 22:14

@Catsandallthingscrazy I hadn't considered contacting the landlord, I just figured it was a personal issue between the 2 of us that they wouldn't really get involved in. I do not want him in my life, obviously he'll need to be to some extent because of the kids but its as if I'm not 'allowed' to break up with him. He seems to think if he just sticks around long enough things will just go back to normal. Yet he doesn't consider what anyone else wants or what would actually be best for everyone.

OP posts:
Getmeoutof · 21/11/2022 22:51

I'm not sure as I've found the following on Citizen's Advice:

' If you want one of the other tenants to leave
As joint tenants, you all have exactly the same rights, so one tenant can’t simply be forced to leave. If you have a problem with another tenant your landlord is unlikely to want to get involved and you’ll have to sort the problem out yourself. An independent third party may be able to help you to resolve any difficulties, for example, a common friend.'

Basically it wouldn't matter if he didn't pay rent at all, as we're joint tenants both of us are liable for rent and can be pursued for any debts. If he fails to pay I need to cover it and vice versa, regardless of if I've already paid my 'share'. This would be different if we were classed as 'sole tenants' and each had a separate rent agreement. This makes it sound like the landlord wouldn't really be allowed to do anything?

OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 21/11/2022 22:58

Ring Shelter's helpline and ask for advice.

If there's abuse, you are entitled to leave and be rehoused quickly.

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