Living in Someone Elses Flat? Pay Your Dues!
Im honestly not sure my daughters wedding will even happen at this rate. The whole familys at each others throats. And my soon-to-be son-in-law? Well, hes all over the place. The weddings in two weeks and the mans lost the plot. Im really worried about my daughter, sighs Janet.
What on earth are you all fighting about?
Youll never guessits over the flat! We wanted to do something nice for the young couple, so we gathered every last penny of our savings and bought a place as a wedding gift. Had to sell the cottage in Devon and the old garage just to scrape enough together. We put the flat in my daughters nameI mean, theyre getting married, so does it really matter whose name its under?
Well, quite
Exactly. Thats how my husband and I see it. Of course, the flat is an empty shell. Needs a complete refurb and a spot of furniture, but weve nothing left in the bank. My husband told the future son-in-law that we could all chip in for the renovations, just to get them moved in sooner. But he flat-out refuses!
Refuses? Why?
Because he says its not his! He wont spend money fixing up a property that doesnt have his name on it. Says we can handle the DIY ourselves. He might buy a few little things, but he absolutely refuses to pour much into it.
Well, couldnt they just live there as it is? Skip the reno?
No chance! The place is a complete blank slate. Plus, youve got to rip out the ancient plumbing, replace the electrics, level off floors and walls. Those old draughty windows look about ready to fall out on their own. Worst of all, it needs at least a basic touch-up before anyone can survive there, Janet explains.
Personally, I cant see how anyone could call that a homeeven Im not that fussy. How are two young people supposed to set up house in such a dump? Bit embarrassing, really. My future son-in-law works at a big firm in Londonbrings home a decent salarybut hes watching every pound. He says hes saving up for his own place, so he wont end up without a roof over his head if things go sideways.
So really, Janet huffs, he wants to live at our expense. Expects us to cough up for the whole renovation. So I told him bluntly, if he thinks its someone elses flat, then he can pay us rent. And do you know what? He just grinned and agreed!
What does your daughter make of all this?
Shes beside herself, poor thingcrying all the time. She absolutely adores him, but we cant put the flat in both their names. Now she claims she doesnt care about the flat or the renovation at all. But I cant help thinking its worrying that he wont invest anything in his own family. Theyre not even married yet and already planning for the divorce and how to split the sofa!
Do you think my future son-in-law should pitch in for the flats makeover? Hes planning on living there, starting a family, all the rest of it. Does it really matter whose names on the deed? Or does he actually make sense? What would you do if you were in his shoes?
