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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

I’m moving house today and leaving my DB to be evicted, come tell me it’ll be ok?

311 replies

MovingToday · 11/04/2025 14:08

I live in a HA bungalow, 2.5 beds which is adapted for my DC whose disabled. I am a single parent, split with DCs dad due to violence and control, which he continues even now we’re split.

Last year my parents persuaded me emotionally blackmailed me into letting my AuADHD DSib move in when they split with their spouse.

It’s been horrible and everytime I raise it with my parents I get emotional blackmail about how I’ve always landed on my feet and it’s only fair I share my luck. I sleep on the sofa because the small room isn’t big enough for a bed and DSib couldn’t possibly sleep on the sofa with their issues.

Examples of DBs behaviour (it’s longer than this though)

  • Told me they are a better parent to DC than I am because he actually deals with their meltdowns – DC gets told no, and I do not allow hitting, kicking or bitting during meltdowns but if DC wants to be sad/overstimulated/angry that’s allowed, they can have a shout and then go sit in their room to calm down, I find if I do anything else they get worse and are more likely to become violent but DB picks DC up and puts them in their room and tells them they can’t have anything to eat or drink until they calm down, this usually makes them worse and I get shouted at for “Not dealing with DC”
  • DC (aged 10 almost 11) gets shouted at by DSib most mornings for waking them up to early (7.30am on a school morning, 8.30am on weekends, apparently any noise before 11am is too much)
  • DSib wakes DC up in the night shouting into their gaming headset when I asked DSib to keep it down I get told to grow up and deal with my child to stop them disturbing DSib
  • DSib said they’re a better pet owner than me because they occasionally let my Dog into the garden while I’m working – I still walk the dog x3 a day, feed them twice a day, pick up their poop from the garden. I also care for DSibs cats; feed them, sort their litter tray, keep Dog away from them as the cats don’t like her. And I also care for my neighbours pets when they go away several times a year. But apparently DSib is better than me at pet ownership
  • I ask DSib for a small contribution to the rent/bills to be told that I am disgusting and money grabbing and if need money I need to get off my a**e and get a job – it was less than £100 a month DSib gets over £1k a month from UC and PIP. I work admittedly I freelance so only work on average 6 days per month but I al get DLA for DC, and some UC moneys not an issue for me, I never borrow it from anyone I just thought DSib should contribute
  • DSib told my ExH how awful a parent I am to DC so now I get EA via text message from him
  • DSib tried to make DC feel bad because they have an adapted bathroom off their room according to DSib the ensuite is for adults and they deserve it more than DC because they have to share a bathroom with me
  • I have a basket in the main bathroom next to my toilet with period products, toilet paper and other bathroom products in for anyone to help themselves to if needed – Dsib moved all my period products out of the bathroom and told me to keep “those things hidden in a bag or something that’s not gross”
  • Threatened to get my elderly neighbours evicted when they had a BBQ with their DC and GC – apparently it stinks and they were too noisy – it was 6pm on a Saturday night last summer, they were inside by 9pm and they invited my DC to go over and play with their GC (and offered them some food off the BBQ to)
  • Same neighbours dog got into my garden, did it’s business and then ran back into it’s own home. Neighbours offered to clear it up but I did it, these things happen, it could have been my dog who got into their garden – Dsib says the dog is awfully behaved and they should lose it when they get evicted – it’s a small breed dog; shitzh zhu (sp?) and gets on well with both my DC and my dog, I’ve never heard their dog so much as bark when someone knocks their door, they wouldn’t let a vicious/badly behaved dog around their own GC

I could go on, but I’ve been threatened, told I’m disgusting and everything else when I told DSib to move out at the beginning of the year. Apparently I have it so easy and need to wake up to the realities of life. DSib can’t possibly live in a HMO according to my parents which is what they were offered before they moved in with me.

So in March I contacted my housing association for advice. They’re offered me a bungalow closer to DCs school, similar layout to ours and includes the adapted bathroom DC has now but it’s only 2 beds. The family currently in that bungalow have a child at a school closer to my current place, so we’re basically swapping.

I’m all packed, just waiting for the HAs van to arrive to take my stuff (I’ve paid extra for this). I’ve bought myself a new bed so DSib can have the one they currently sleep in. DC goes to their dad tonight for 2 nights so I have time to get it all ready for DC to come back on Sunday.

DSib is being evicted today, they’ll offer a HMO again (under 35 so can’t offer a 1 bed flat apparently), my name will be mud in my family, but I’m past caring although slightly worried.

It’ll be ok won’t it?

OP posts:
SpainToday · 12/04/2025 08:23

If they each have a one bed and currently live alone, and you currently have a two bed and a child, they have exactly as much ability to house your sibling as you do.
No reason why one of them can't give your sibling their bedroom and sleep on the sofa, as you have been doing. They just don't want to.
Well, neither do you.

Absolutely!

AngelicKaty · 12/04/2025 08:34

@MovingToday OMG OP, you've been an absolute saint and your family are all ar5eholes! I hope today, as you're settling in to your new home, that you know it will be OK. You owe your DPs and DB absolutely nothing - they've taken advantage of your good nature for far too long.
Enjoy your new home OP! 🤗

AlertCat · 12/04/2025 08:36

daisychain01 · 12/04/2025 07:37

swapping houses is for families who need different accommodation or need to be in a different location. In the grand scheme of life it is a minor family squabble and could have been resolved very differently. God knows why the OP needed to create a thread when the whole thing was done and dusted anyway.

I don't care if you think I'm not empathetic and I have no reason to guilt the OP, but I am giving my opinion and I don't have to be in an echo chamber over this.

I’ve been threatened, told I’m disgusting and everything else when I told DSib to move out at the beginning of the year...
So in March I contacted my housing association for advice. They’re offered me a bungalow closer to DCs school, similar layout to ours and includes the adapted bathroom DC has now but it’s only 2 beds. The family currently in that bungalow have a child at a school closer to my current place, so we’re basically swapping.

So it is a swap for good reasons, that suit both families, and it means the brother no longer lives with OP. He refused to move out when she told him to, and in that situation there is very little that she could do. What would you have done “very differently”?

This isn’t a minor family squabble, it’s an abusive situation, with the brother a massive cuckoo abusing the OP and undermining her 10yo child. I’m really surprised you interpret it as you have.

weirdwalking · 12/04/2025 08:38

Absolutely the right thing for you. I’d be going NC with the lot of them.

good luck OP

UrinalCake · 12/04/2025 08:45

daisychain01 · 12/04/2025 07:37

swapping houses is for families who need different accommodation or need to be in a different location. In the grand scheme of life it is a minor family squabble and could have been resolved very differently. God knows why the OP needed to create a thread when the whole thing was done and dusted anyway.

I don't care if you think I'm not empathetic and I have no reason to guilt the OP, but I am giving my opinion and I don't have to be in an echo chamber over this.

Actually, swapping houses is for SH tenants who want to swap with other SH tenants. There doesn't have to be a need, it can be a want. My DB did a swap with someone from a 2 bed to a 3 bed when the bedroom tax came in. It was on the next road over, and he had only 1 child so no need for an extra room. The HA rules allowed for people to over occupy by 1 room, which was kind of necessary as much of the local housing stock was 3 beds.

SH tenants swapping is normal, and the conditions you've added here don't have to be met.

Sansan18 · 12/04/2025 08:54

Best of luck to you and well done for taking a stand.I'm so impressed with your HA, I'm assuming your sibling shouldn't have moved in with you in the first place but they've dealt with it beautifully.

McCheck · 12/04/2025 08:55

I‘m so glad to read that you got a new place that’s better for you and that you’re not hosting ungrateful sibling anymore. Not your responsibility. Life is going to be way way better from now on.

Good luck with the move!

GoodCharl · 12/04/2025 09:16

You are doing the best thing for you and your child. Never let yourself get talked into letting someone- family/friends stay again.

he sounds a nightmare but due to his special needs. A sofa bed at parents would help him out temporarily. Dont feel bad. You and your childs well being and peace, come first. I hope it all went well x

Askingpins · 12/04/2025 09:27

My adult son has ADHD and is financially independent, rents privately, works full time etc. The chaos of some of his ADHD symptoms makes his life hard at times but he just about manages.

So I am somewhat surprised that someone like your brother is entitled to a home provided by the state because of this. My son is also difficult at times (one reason why I can’t share a home with him) but not abusive in the way you describe.

I realise your brother has some kind of autism as well but he seems to function enough to boss you around in your own home. Anyway glad you got away from him OP.

StopStartStop · 12/04/2025 09:31

@MovingToday

Well done, you brave, strong, resilient woman.
Wishing you and your dc every happiness.

Hankunamatata · 12/04/2025 09:35

I'm really glad HA worked this out for you. You are in an abusive situation and vulnerable and they have recognised that.

SandrenaIsMyBloodType · 12/04/2025 09:38

Your parents were both happy for you to sleep on a sofa so that you could accommodate THEIR child. You tried it for a while but it wasn’t a good setup for your child so, now that you are prioritising your own DC, one of them can sleep on a sofa so they can house their own child.
You are better off without these people.
I hope you are very happy in your new home.

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 12/04/2025 09:40

Well done OP! I hope that the move goes well. Imagine a nice quiet life from tonight!

mcmooberry · 12/04/2025 09:41

Hope the move went smoothly, you are 100% doing the right thing, so glad a suitable swap came up before you had to endure this for much longer. Moving can often cause a low mood initially so don't worry if this happens, it will lift soon xx

FairKoala · 12/04/2025 09:42

Mirabai · 11/04/2025 19:27

She’s getting him evicted out it that way. Or one could say she’s causing him to be evicted.

Not true. An HA can evict unauthorised tenants. But there are protocols to be followed. The police can’t evict people, only court appointed bailiffs can do that.

Edited

Actually they can.

It’s considered squatting which is illegal and he can have somewhere to stay if he doesn’t leave quietly. There will be a nice cell waiting for him with its very own en-suite toilet

If you think that the police can’t evict someone without a court order then book yourself into your nearest hotel for the night and see how many hours you can stay the next day before the police arrive to turf you out

FairKoala · 12/04/2025 09:45

Love the bit where he tells you to grow up when he has the maturity of a stroppy teen

FairKoala · 12/04/2025 09:49

daisychain01 · 12/04/2025 07:37

swapping houses is for families who need different accommodation or need to be in a different location. In the grand scheme of life it is a minor family squabble and could have been resolved very differently. God knows why the OP needed to create a thread when the whole thing was done and dusted anyway.

I don't care if you think I'm not empathetic and I have no reason to guilt the OP, but I am giving my opinion and I don't have to be in an echo chamber over this.

Don’t you consider single parents as being a family

These were 2 families who wanted to move closer to their dc’s school

FairKoala · 12/04/2025 09:52

Mirabai · 11/04/2025 21:20

Right. What I don’t understand is if they have gone to court to evict him, why couldn’t they do that leaving OP in situ?

they don’t need to go to court to evict him he is squatting. They just need the police to remove him from the premises

MyGingerNinja · 12/04/2025 09:57

You are 100% doing what is right for your child and yourself-stay strong and ignore the rest of your family.

Dagnabit · 12/04/2025 10:04

No, it won’t be ok - it will be fantastic! A fresh new start at a convenient location with that arsehole “d”sib out the way. I wouldn’t just be ok with them being evicted, I’d be positively gleeful and I’m not a terrible person, honest! They sound horrible.

Edited to say, if he refuses to leave, this isn’t your problem so just carry on with your move and let the HA sort him out.

TonTonMacoute · 12/04/2025 10:11

You need to ask?

You sound like a saint. Concentrate on your own well-being and that of your DC, take this chance to put clear water between you and your unpleasant selfish sibling. Your parents pulled a serious fast one in lumbering you in the first place!

Good luck!

Streaaa · 12/04/2025 10:14

Block ALL your family.
Do not give them your new address.
Contact 101 if they contact you.
Well done OP.
Cut them all off.
Save yourself the grief of contact.
The very best of luck.

Shouldbedoing · 12/04/2025 10:15

Well done, OP.
I hope you're enjoying a peaceful but productive morning in your new home.

BlueTitShark · 12/04/2025 10:18

I hope things have gone well @MovingToday
🤞🤞 for you

Shinyandnew1 · 12/04/2025 10:27

Did you move out yesterday @MovingToday ? How did it all go!? Where is your brother now?