Gransnet forums

AIBU

Feel I am being used.

(16 Posts)
Cossy Mon 31-Aug-26 12:49:25

If you don’t mind me asking, and you do not need to answer, he didn’t move in until two years after your husband died, and he’s lived with you for four years?

So, if I’ve read and understood this correctly, you’ve been having a relationship for 35 years, 29 of which you were still married and still living with your husband?

Did he (husband) know about this?
Did this “lover” have a partner during this 29 years?
Do either of you have children?

I’m not judging, I’m curious?

For me, “cheating” on my marriage for 29 years then moving my “lover” into my marital home wouldn’t work for me. I’d have sought a divorce many many years ago.

Did you not wish to do this or did you not wish to split everything 50/50 and waiting til he died gave you the lot?

Or am I totally misunderstanding your situation?

From the little you’ve chosen to share, it strikes me that it is your late husband being used, not yourself?

As I said, I could be completely misreading what actually happened.

Cossy Mon 31-Aug-26 12:39:16

Key Changes to Notice RulesNo Section 21: You cannot issue a standard two-month no-fault notice anymore. All tenancies are now periodic (rolling).Valid Grounds Required: You must state a legally recognized reason under Section 8, such as rent arrears or property sale.Selling or Moving In: If you plan to sell the property or move back in yourself, you must give at least 4 months' notice, and the tenant must have lived there for at least one year.Rent Arrears: You can seek possession if the tenant falls at least three months behind on rent.You can read official guidance on ending a tenancy through the GOV.UK Landlord Guide.

M0nica Mon 31-Aug-26 12:38:22

I read this very differently to other people

The fact that he still uses the flat he owns for all the formal things in life suggests to me that he still sees it as 'home' and would rather be living there than with you. Was it his idea or yours that he move in with you after his heart attack?

With his mother constantly making him do everything she wants at any time she wants it, suggests to me, not a man sponging off you, but more a doormat man who does whatever the women in his life tell him to do rather than stand up to them and express his opinion.

I suspect that far from living off you he would be really relieved if you said that it was time he moved back to his own home. If he cannot find a job he will be entitled to benefits of some kind and, you do not say, but he may be drawing a state pension.

He is making it abundantly clear that he wants to return to 'as was'. Him in his flat and you in your house, but being the doormat, anything for a quiet life, man he will never tell you that. He is waiting for you to tell him to go.

Why not just do it and then both of you can go back to where you were before his heart attack,

Fallingstar Mon 31-Aug-26 12:33:12

The bit about the affair and a subsequent relationship for 35 years, presumably most of it whilst still married, does make me less sympathetic here.
The fact the man has turned out to be less than satisfactory now living with you is perhaps karma. Would tell him to shoulder his share or forget it.

Jaxjacky Mon 31-Aug-26 12:19:29

Lathyrus I believe he can give his tenant(s) 2 months notice if he wishes to move back to his main residence.

eddiecat78 Mon 31-Aug-26 12:04:43

You "guess it was an affair".
Is that the same as being "a bit pregnant"?

MT62 Mon 31-Aug-26 11:58:11

I agree with Cossy. You cheated on your partners.
He’s on a good screw! Pays little rent, no bills, you dancing at his backside looking after him!
He probably has a very healthy bank book thanks to you not putting your foot down.
In my view you reap what you sow.

Lathyrus3 Mon 31-Aug-26 11:56:47

Living with someone doesn’t always work.

Typo

Cossy Mon 31-Aug-26 11:47:41

Maybe some of you missed the “I guess it was an affair” comment.

So whilst still married you carried on with someone else til your husband died? Now you feel you’re being used?

Don’t like your situation, change I and ask him to leave.

I’m being very harsh, but frankly I don’t have much sympathy for either of you.

Lathyrus3 Mon 31-Aug-26 11:43:26

Living with some always work. I know. I’ve tried it.

He probably wont be able to get possession of his home niw, with the new legislation otherwise Id say go back to what did work before.

So if he us staying you must negotiate a much more equitable arrangement, financially and workload.

His mum? You might have to look on that as the hobby that mist men seem to need ti occupy themselves!

AGAA4 Mon 31-Aug-26 11:39:47

It does seem that for most of 35 years he has lived on his own and only moved in with you when he had a heart attack.
This is him looking after himself now he feels more vulnerable. If you feel used now it will become worse as time goes on.
Having his mother so much involved in his life will rankle with you too.
Is this situation really working for you.? Put your own needs first. This man is definitely looking after himself.

butterandjam Mon 31-Aug-26 11:28:10

Fairislecable

Perhaps you would feel less used if you also benefitted from his financial gains.

You should receive at least half that he receives in rent and any costs to running your home should be split.

This would then be a fairer distribution.

Congratulations, you've turned into his unpaid housekeeper / skivvy /provider.

Its time to tell him living together is not working for you, and he needs to go back to his own place.

When he argues to stay, just keep repeating " It's not working for me I want to live on my own ."

If he feels lonely he could always go and live with his Mother. He's probably sponging off her too.

Greenfinch Mon 31-Aug-26 11:12:45

I don’t think you are happy with the situation as it stands and so you need to speak up or else you will become more resentful as time goes on.

Astitchintime Mon 31-Aug-26 11:09:16

Personally, I think, if he’s living in your home he should be paying 50% of everything……….water, gas, electricity, broadband, rent, food, replacing appliances etc.
Also, if he has a driving licence the address registered with the DVLA must be the address that he resides at.

Fairislecable Mon 31-Aug-26 11:00:18

Perhaps you would feel less used if you also benefitted from his financial gains.

You should receive at least half that he receives in rent and any costs to running your home should be split.

This would then be a fairer distribution.

nanafish Mon 31-Aug-26 10:36:51

My partner has lived with me for about four years. We have had a relationship for over 35 years, I guess it was an affair initially but when my huspand died he remained at his flat, for another 2 years or so. After a mild heart attack and stent surgery, he lived with me, at this time he also gave up his job, too much stress etc. His mum was also getting old and needed more help. Basically we decided he would live with me, and rent out his flat to give him an income. we had always dreamed that one day we would live together, so I dont understand why I feel used. He pays me a little rent and we share food. He visits his mum every day and I guess I have a problem with that, she also calls day and night with 'issues' she may have. I feel he is able to tend to her every need because he doesnt work, and lives with me .. its all very convenient. He still calls his flat ;home; and all his bank and finances, passport etc are registered there. I feel once his mum goes and he inherits a wadge, he will head back home,.. he says he loves me and that wont happen, but I just feel I am being used. AIBU