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Asking for money back

(41 Posts)
NannyB2604 Tue 12-Sept-23 13:50:19

I've sent a message today to my brother asking if he's able to repay money I lent him (£5k) just before lockdown, as he needed it for his business and the bank wouldn't extend his overdraft. He and SiL were planning to move house (downsize) and he said he'd repay the money then. After lockdown ended, they did downsize and have since completely renovated the new house - state of the art kitchen, tiled floors, solid oak doors, beautiful bathroom and remodelled patio. He's not mentioned repaying my loan, so I've messaged him (after many sleepless nights worrying about it), as tactfully as possible, to ask if he's able to repay me (in instalments if that helps). I'm now wondering if I'm being unreasonable and 'moneygrabbing'. We're hoping to move house soon ourselves and the money would help.

holcombemummy60 Wed 13-Sept-23 16:36:26

He should have paid it back when he downsized and started renovations . We have just gone to court to get the money our daughter borrowed 6 years ago and not paid back . They can afford weekends away new cars and days out not to mention computers built espeacilly for gaming. Been blunt sorry he is taking the mickey out of you and getting away with it. If nicely asking doesn’t do it just tell him there are other ways you can get it back.

BlueBelle Wed 13-Sept-23 16:44:34

I have lent money (not those sort of amounts) to two grandkids one for a decent second hand car. one for a new phone but they set up a monthly repayment DD plan before they received the money from me
We treated it like a bank loan but without the ridiculous interest added, so far it’s worked well
You are not being at all unreasonable but your brother is
Can ‘you find’ something that you need the money for asap

Bella23 Wed 13-Sept-23 17:55:05

He needs to pay it back ASP. It sounds to me as if he hopes you will forget as if you would that amount.
Keep repeating your request until his conscience pricks and he pays back. He dared to ask to borrow so you can dare to ask for a payback.

jocork Wed 13-Sept-23 17:59:49

I lent DS and DiL money for a car. They set up a direct debit to pay me back but after much of it was paid back their circumstances changed and they asked if they could hold back on further payments. I didn't mind at all and in the end I think they forgot they still owed the money. Eventually I had a bit of a cash flow problem so asked for the money back and had it within a couple of hours!

At the moment I owe them money for a shared holiday which they booked. We worked out how much I owe but it is an expensive time for me again so I asked if I can pay in a month or two. DS said this is the first year since his marriage that he hasn't had money worries so told me not to rush!

Hopefully it has slipped their minds and they will feel bad you had to remind them, but it is awkward asking about such things. Don't feel bad. They should have made repaying you a priority before spending on their new home.

tobyianathekid Wed 13-Sept-23 18:56:41

Nothing unreasonable at all. I think you need to sit him down and have a frank chat about when you can expect to see the money back. Firstly make it clear that he's actions have hurt you, then discuss a plan on how and when he is going to pay you back.

4allweknow Wed 13-Sept-23 22:01:34

If there was a profit from the sale of his house your DB should have paid the loan back then. You certainly are not being unreasonable. Why not tell him you are thinking of moving but need £5K to help out with finances!

buffyfly9 Thu 14-Sept-23 01:30:27

You are not being unreasonable, in fact to wait this long for repayment proves quite the opposite! As others have said, unless you have some sort of documentary evidence I fear you may seriously fall out with your brother over this. That is the danger of loaning money to anyone, even family, as it changes your relationship with that person if you feel you are being taken advantage of. If he says he has overspent on his new renovations and cannot afford to pay where does that leave you? I do not believe that anyone "forgets" that they owe £5000. I wish you the best of luck in such difficult circumstances.

Whiff Thu 14-Sept-23 07:11:03

I lend my brother and sister in law £12,000 to buy their house instead of taking out a loan after our mom died. They had most of the money and brought the house by modern auction. We drew up a paper and it was to be paid over 18 months but he paid it back in a year. He offered to pay me interest I told him I am not a bank and I did it because I wanted them to have the house and loved them. He paid it back before doing anything to the house apart from decorating. As it was important to him to pay me back before renovations. If he had been with his second wife I wouldn't have lent it as she wasn't a nice person. But glad he finally found his other half and love her very much. They have since downsized and moved to a bungalow in different county but because the sale of the house covered the cost of buying the bungalow outright. They both still thank me for helping them 6 years later. But I did it because I love them and knew it would be repaid.

Your son should have paid the money back before any renovations. So you are right to ask for the money in full. He's had enough time.

BlueBelle Thu 14-Sept-23 07:15:33

It doesn’t change your relationship with the recipient if it is properly drawn up before the money is lent though butterfly
All it needs is a Direct Debit of what is possible for the recipient and acceptable to the giver and a time limit unfortunately this was given with no rules in place and may well cause bad feelings

Ali08 Thu 14-Sept-23 08:09:53

Coolgran65

How did you message him. Can you see that he had read the message. Was it by WhatsApp or Messenger. I prefer this to e-mail as I can see if it's been seen.
No response in a day or so means he's avoiding you and I'd ring him keeping it amiable saying you're now needing it for X, Y or Z.

I had an email not so long ago informing me as I had not been reading the ones previously sent, they'd remove me from their list. So, obviously, some people can see when emails gave been read!

Ali08 Thu 14-Sept-23 08:11:45

NannyB,
If no joy from your brother, message or call his wife, but at least try calling him first as he may not pick up all of his messages!!
Did his wife know about the loan?

nadateturbe Thu 14-Sept-23 10:04:35

I would message rather than call. Then you have some evidence when he replies..

tickingbird Thu 14-Sept-23 10:21:10

Of course you aren’t being unreasonable. It should have been paid back before state of the art kitchen etc. Please don’t let him get away with it.

Eloethan Thu 14-Sept-23 12:34:30

You are being more than reasonable, I think. Given that their house has been completely re-modelled, which must have cost a lot of money, I wouldn't have even offered the instalment option.

He said he would pay the money back and he should not have put you in the situation of having to ask for it. It's inexcusable. I hope it was just an oversight.

tictacnana Fri 15-Sept-23 19:25:18

My SIL used to borrow money on a weekly basis. She had to be reminded to pay me back and often ‘forgot’ completely. She has now cut ME dead which people think is unkind of her but now I don’t have to subsidise her I’m more than happy . It’s not unreasonable to expect it back. You’ve been VERY patient.