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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

Do I have a cock lodger?

204 replies

lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 19:34

Name changed for this.

Live with DP and 4 DC (2 each).

Both work full time, me employed. Him self employed. Business is always kind of up and down, sometimes good, sometimes average. Sometimes not so great. This means on occasions I foot the bill for our outgoings which then come back 'later' usually by the end of the month but not always.

Covid times were down to me as he got pretty much £0 income then as what his business relies on was closed. It was rough but it is what it is.

However the past 4 months or so there was talk of starting a new business cause what he does is kind of phasing out. I think it was partly this and partly boredom and wanting to do something new/something he thought would be better long term. There wasn't however any talk about money changing during this time. So for the last 3 months I have basically paid everything. When I've brought it up he simply says it'll come and he can't give me what's not there. Ok but how am I supposed to pay the bills?

We have an agreed expenditure which accounts for our 2 incomes. Paying 50/50 Not just mine!

To add to this he has his own arrangements with his kids mum that he tells me about but I don't really know and suspect he pays the majority plus extras, I'm not saying the exes should be missing out but he's telling me he has nothing so I'm getting nothing so essentially paying for 6 people when he's still paying for them away from our home.

I don't know how long this situation is going to go on for. He keeps telling me it'll be better in 2-3 weeks etc then that times comes and nothing.

On top of this I am working full time myself and doing the bulk of house chores so he can work extra to get this money coming in that never seems to come. He's bad with money and I think if you are self
Employed you should save to cover these times and he hasn't.

When things have been good we have done things, gone out for food. He's bought me things and he's always got bits for the kids through a work thing that's saved me a lot of money, but also I wouldn't buy new/as much if I had to pay so can't really compare like for like.

I'm starting to really resent this arrangement. We also have a pet which I am doing 99% of the work for. He counts watching it in the day his share (sometimes I am there too as I WFH sometimes) so this isn't daily, I walk/feed/sort food/vets etc etc
On top of this he is still married to his ex, divorce is initiated but only because I insisted (wish I hadn't bothered). But I can't see it being finalised as - no money and no motivation to. Only silver lining is because of these things house etc is in my name.

Just wanted some outside opinions on this as I am feeling really taken for granted at the minute and it's causing huge problems.

OP posts:
rainythursdayontheavenue · 29/01/2025 20:24

OP you're being used and financially abused.

Only you can put a stop to this.

MissConductUS · 29/01/2025 20:28

TheseCalmSeas · 29/01/2025 20:24

Sounds like you’ve accidentally adopted a man baby AND he’s married to someone else!

Get the heck outta there

So it's a bit like kidnapping, then innit? 😁

TomatoSandwiches · 29/01/2025 20:33

Mumsnet, can we have a cocklodger klaxon, something shiny with flashing lights?

LifeExperience · 29/01/2025 20:38

So lemme get this straight. This dude has a wife, 2 kids and a mistress on the side whom he lives with and who pays his bills, and the mistress is wondering if she's being financially abused? That would be a yes, OP. A big, fat, honkin' yes. Lose the married guy and use the money you save for your own children.

Michelle12A · 29/01/2025 20:40

No

2025ohdear · 29/01/2025 20:45

Michelle12A · 29/01/2025 20:40

No

Really? Nothing more to add?

Seas164 · 29/01/2025 20:45

Tell him you can't afford to keep him on, and you're going to swap him for a paying lodger with no kids.

What kind of fabricated self employment means you're too busy to walk the dog, but you're earning nothing for weeks on end?

Tell him he needs to be contributing £x by the end of February or to find alternative accommodation, and stick to it. What an absolute waste of space.

RickiRaccoon · 29/01/2025 20:49

I think you should support a partner in hard times. However, to be a true partner you need to have a joint decision on finances and job changes etc. He can't go off and do this stuff on his own without discussing with you and then expect you just to pay for him. You've got a commitment to your kids and their wellbeing over a guy who's just essentially staying with you.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 29/01/2025 20:51

The only silver lining in all of this is that you're not married and the house is yours.

Chuck him out, @lodgeofthec
That's such a good user name BTW.

lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 20:55

pinkyredrose · 29/01/2025 19:39

Why did he move into your house? Do you know why his marriage ended?

Because we'd been together a while and I wanted to keep my house.

Ended cause they grew apart as far as I know.

OP posts:
lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 20:56

AgnesX · 29/01/2025 19:39

It sounds like you're carrying the entire weight of your household.

If he's still paying to his wife it's not fair. You need to sit down and have a sensible conversation. If you can't do that you have a bigger problem (and again it sounds like you do).

And this is part of the issue I have tried to have a conversation and it ends with me being unreasonable about the situation. And to be honest I just don't think (know) I am!

OP posts:
lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 20:57

Dror · 29/01/2025 19:39

You work full time, do all the chores, and pay your boyfriend and his offspring to live with you? Robbing your kids of your time and money, just to have some bloke around.

Er... Why?

Edited

Exactly the question I am asking myself now, it's like I have woke up and gone why? I'm not saying he does nothing, but I do do the majority and I am capable of doing all and have done before. I don't NEED him around to do any of it.

OP posts:
lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 20:59

veraswaistcoat · 29/01/2025 19:40

You have been with this guy then for at least 5 years? He is still married and he doesn't pay his way and often you support him? You know this doesn't make sense for you. Time to get rid of this freeloader.

Yea 5 years plus. It's not been him not paying his way the whole time. Mainly in covid and other times it gets paid usually within the month, just not in one go. Sometimes it goes in one go for a while but then it always changes and I am chasing. This is the first time since Covid there has been nothing. I'm more bothered there wasn't a conversation about it prior, that and the fact he's still married to his ex but expecting me to invoke the 'for richer or poorer' not that I want to get married!

OP posts:
lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 20:59

Blue278 · 29/01/2025 19:47

Well. Yes. He is free to prioritise doing a job he fancies and support his children because good old you takes care of the boring stuff.

The biggest red flag is that he hasn’t recognised your contribution by taking on at LEAST his share of the shit work while he can’t pay his way. He’s taking you for granted.

Bills need paying even if income is sporadic.

Do you have his two full time?

No 50/50 though so still a fair amount of time so good/bills etc required

OP posts:
lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 21:00

sometimesmovingforwards · 29/01/2025 19:49

I’m failing to see the attraction…

I guess you must be desperate to be in any relationship rather than not?

I am not seeing it either now that's the problem, and no definitely not desperate is actually rather be on my own than in this current situation. I just feel like I've waited in the hope it will improve, and now i feel like that time of waiting has run out for me.

OP posts:
2Hot2Handle · 29/01/2025 21:01

If the house is in your name and this guy is bringing in no money, I would end things and have him move out.

A good partner would not feel comfortable contributing nothing financially, while someone they claim to love pays to keep them.

A good partner would take paid employment while they are getting their new business off the ground.

A good partner would take over the lion’s share of the chores, to contribute through labour, while they are not contributing financially.

A good partner would be open and honest about any money they are giving to the mother of their children.

Sounds like your partner doesn’t tick any of these boxes. If he moves out, you can have a discount on the council tax and will have lower costs from not paying for his food etc. It’ll be upsetting while you adjust, but it’s not a situation you’d be creating, it’s a situation you’re already in and can get out of.

CurlyCabbage · 29/01/2025 21:03

I think you are answering your own question. Resentment is an awful thing and difficult to claw back from. Doesnt sound like you like him much anymore either. Maybe better to end it so at least you are not having to carry such a load. Would be easier (and cheaper) for you to be just you and your kids. I think 5y is plenty time to have tried this relationship out.

converseandjeans · 29/01/2025 21:04

I can't see the attraction. You would be better off on your own. At least you have kept house in your name & he can't try to say he has paid towards it.

If it was just you & your kids you would be much better off financially but also there would be less mess to tidy up.

lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 21:07

RickiRaccoon · 29/01/2025 20:49

I think you should support a partner in hard times. However, to be a true partner you need to have a joint decision on finances and job changes etc. He can't go off and do this stuff on his own without discussing with you and then expect you just to pay for him. You've got a commitment to your kids and their wellbeing over a guy who's just essentially staying with you.

I think this sums up more how I feel. Covid felt different, everyone was having hard times and it wasn't their doing. I was ok to do that then and ride the hard times together.

This time feels different because it's more of a choice to make a change, without discussing what that might mean for finances in the interim, I was never told I may have to foot the bill for everything. We also don't share finances and I know he has other outgoings to his ex and other bills of his own (as do I) which I would imagine are still being paid, as no letters etc coming through. I also have no eyes on what he does with his money to ex etc, like Xmas for example ex wanted to but DC and expensive gift and he was going to contribute half, well I paid Xmas our side mostly (cash presents, some
Came from work) he's told me he didn't pay ex, but I doubt that as the child got the gift and she wouldn't be able to afford it alone, and she didn't kick off which she would have. It just makes me very uneasy and more like I'm being taken for granted. There is a school trip that is pricey also that he agreed to split with ex, I imagine payment is due soon/already gone, and ex wouldn't pay it all. Again I don't want his DC to miss out but if you can't pay your bills those things have to go. And my DC is missing out cause I can't afford to take them away!

Yea it's time to go.

OP posts:
lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 21:09

2Hot2Handle · 29/01/2025 21:01

If the house is in your name and this guy is bringing in no money, I would end things and have him move out.

A good partner would not feel comfortable contributing nothing financially, while someone they claim to love pays to keep them.

A good partner would take paid employment while they are getting their new business off the ground.

A good partner would take over the lion’s share of the chores, to contribute through labour, while they are not contributing financially.

A good partner would be open and honest about any money they are giving to the mother of their children.

Sounds like your partner doesn’t tick any of these boxes. If he moves out, you can have a discount on the council tax and will have lower costs from not paying for his food etc. It’ll be upsetting while you adjust, but it’s not a situation you’d be creating, it’s a situation you’re already in and can get out of.

In conversation he says he feels down about it. But actions say different. The fact we had no conversation about it, until I raised it. And the fact he hasn't attempted to get money any other how, thinking it's ok to just keep ploughing on regardless.

OP posts:
Whyherewego · 29/01/2025 21:10

Agree with PP. You need a good honest conversation with him along the lines of

  • i get that your business can have ups and downs but we had an agreement about contributing a fair share
  • if you can't contribute your fair share then you need to be contributing in other ways such as taking on the majority of household chores
  • if your business plans aren't working out how you wanted then I'm expecting you to come to me for a conversation about how long I can cope funding the household and if I call time then I rxpect you to be looking for alternative ways to make money
  • if you have limited cash then I also expect you to be having a conversation with your stbx wife about money and contributions needing to change until your financial circumstances improve

If you don't like or want to sign up for this then this is non negotiable for me so we have a problem to resolve which may involve us splitting up

Shallysally · 29/01/2025 21:13

lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 20:59

No 50/50 though so still a fair amount of time so good/bills etc required

If the kids are with each parent 50/50
then he shouldn’t be paying actual maintenance.
If he is contributing to clothes/clubs/school
trips etc then that’s fair. Anything else like expensive presents and school trips out of the ordinary then if neither parent can afford
it then the child doesn’t have it. I know that’s harsh but it’s life.

And to answer your question, yes he absolutely is, but you already know this.

3luckystars · 29/01/2025 21:13

Maybe now is a time for a change for you too. Can you get rid of him easily enough?

Ohnobackagain · 29/01/2025 21:15

Whyherewego · 29/01/2025 21:10

Agree with PP. You need a good honest conversation with him along the lines of

  • i get that your business can have ups and downs but we had an agreement about contributing a fair share
  • if you can't contribute your fair share then you need to be contributing in other ways such as taking on the majority of household chores
  • if your business plans aren't working out how you wanted then I'm expecting you to come to me for a conversation about how long I can cope funding the household and if I call time then I rxpect you to be looking for alternative ways to make money
  • if you have limited cash then I also expect you to be having a conversation with your stbx wife about money and contributions needing to change until your financial circumstances improve

If you don't like or want to sign up for this then this is non negotiable for me so we have a problem to resolve which may involve us splitting up

This @lodgeofthec

Maverick66 · 29/01/2025 21:23

I'm going to be blunt ..........he's an absolute wanker.
Absolutely taking the piss.
A roof over his kids head, bills paid, hot meals, normality and security for his kids with minimum effort by him and free childcare.
No, no, no, kick him to the kerb .