When my sister-in-law was off enjoying her summer holidays at a seaside resort, we were hard at work renovating our family home, and now she expects to just waltz in and live comfortably.
Wed initially suggested pooling our money together for the renovations, but she dismissed the idea, saying she didnt need any of it. Suddenly, now shes asking to move in with us because her half isnt liveable hardly our fault!
The house originally belonged to my husbands grandmother. After she passed, both my husband and his sister inherited it. It was old and worn, but we decided to do it up and make it our home. Luckily, it had two entrances, so two families could live their separate lives without constantly running into each other. The garden and back area were shared, but both halves of the house were evenly divided in terms of rooms.
The estate was divided after we were already married. Everything was settled quietly; my mother-in-law immediately refused her share she was too fond of city life. She simply told her children, Do what you like with it.
My husband and his brother-in-law scraped together some money and handled the essentials: a new roof and reinforced foundations. We wanted to keep going with the renovations, but my sister-in-law blew a fuse she had no interest in pouring money into what she mockingly called this old hen house. Her husband just kept his head down, as he never argued with her.
My husband and I always planned to settle there. Its a village just outside the city; we had a car, so commuting wasnt an issue. Plus, we were fed up with the cramped one-bedroom flat wed been renting. Wed always dreamed of having a place of our own, and building a new one from scratch wouldve cost an arm and a leg.
To my sister-in-law, the house was nothing but a summer cottage, a place she could visit a couple of times a year for a barbecue or a bit of peace. She told us not to bank on any help from her.
Over the next four years, we gutted and transformed our half. Sure, we had to take a loan, but it wasnt about the money. We put in a proper bathroom, central heating, rewired everything, replaced the windows, and even glazed the conservatory. It was relentless work, but we pushed on, determined to make our dream home a reality.
Meanwhile, my sister-in-law flitted about on exotic holidays, never showing the slightest interest in our progress or her own half. She lived only for herself. Then, everything changed when she had her baby and went on maternity leave.
Holidays dried up, and so did the spending money. Suddenly, she remembered her half of the house. With a toddler in tow, she could no longer tolerate being cooped up in a tiny flat, and the idea of her little one running wild in the garden was too tempting.
By this point, wed already moved in, renting out our city flat. Her half, left untouched for years, was in a dreadful state. I had no idea how she expected to live there with no heating and a crumbling loo out in the garden, but she arrived anyway, suitcase in hand, asking if she and her son could stay with us just for a week. Naturally, I let her in.
Her son was a whirlwind, noisy as anything, and she was much the same, oblivious to the needs of others. Since I work from home, the chaos made it impossible, so I escaped to a friends place. Lucky for me, she was travelling for a bit, so it worked out well.
Circumstances meant I was away almost a month a week with my friend, then my mum fell ill so I needed to look after her. With everything going on, I forgot all about my sister-in-law, assuming shed long since gone back home.
Imagine my surprise when I returned to find her still in our house, acting as if she owned the place. I asked when shed be leaving.
Why should I leave? Ive got a young child, and were comfortable here, she replied.
Well take you up to London tomorrow, I said, trying to keep calm.
I dont want to go to London.
If you couldnt even be bothered to tidy your side of the house during your stay, youll have to leave. This isnt a hotel.
What right do you have to throw me out? This is my house, too!
Your home is right next door, behind that wall off you go.
She tried to turn my husband against me, but he was having none of it. She sulked and left in a huff, only for my mother-in-law to start ringing constantly.
You had no right to throw her out; its hers as well, she scolded.
Shes perfectly welcome to stay in her half, my husband replied.
And how is she supposed to manage there with a child? Theres not even any heating, and the toilets outside. You could have done something for your sister.
My husband finally snapped and told his mother everything how wed offered to renovate the place together, which wouldve saved us all money. It was her choice, not ours; why were we being blamed now?
In the end, we suggested she sell us her half. She agreed, but named a price high enough to buy an entire, fully modernised house. Unsurprisingly, we werent thrilled.
Now, were at constant odds. My mother-in-law is perpetually upset, and my sister-in-law lets call her Harriet has become truly bothersome. They visit rarely, but when they do, its a commotion rowdy gatherings, petty pranks, and damage to the garden.
So now, weve begun building a fence to properly divide the property. Theres no room left for compromise just as Harriet wanted.
