Someone Elses Flat? Then Pay Rent!
I dont know if my daughters wedding will go ahead. Everyone has fallen out, and her future husband is making a scene. The wedding is in a fortnight, but hes completely beside himself. I really dont know how this will turn out; I do feel so sorry for my girl, sighed Margaret.
Why on earth are you all arguing?
You wont believe it, its all over the flat! We wanted to do something special for the young couple, so we gathered all our savings and bought them a flat as a wedding gift. We even had to sell our little cottage in the Lake District and the garage to cover the costs. The property is registered in my daughters name. Since theyre to be married, what difference does it make whose name is on the deed?
Exactly!
My husband and I feel the same. Of course, the flat is absolutely barenothing but empty rooms. It needs complete renovation and furnishings, but all our money is gone. My husband suggested to my future son-in-law that we all chip in and get the refurbishments done together, so the young ones could move in as soon as possible. But he refuses to help with the renovation!
Why is that?
Because, as he puts it, its someone elses property. He refuses to invest in a flat that isnt in his own name. He said we should sort the renovation ourselves. At most, hell get a few odds and ends, but he doesnt want to spend much.
Well, let them move in as it is, without fixing it up then.
Its impossibleits completely empty. Besides, the plumbing and electrics need to be replaced, the floors and walls levelled, and the ancient windows really ought to come out before they fall out on their own. And there should be at least a basic finish, Margaret said.
Personally, I cant see how anyone could live in that state, and Im not exactly hard to please. How can young people settle in such a tip? Its shameful. My future son-in-law works for a big firm and brings home a good salary, but he cant bear the thought of spending his money. You see, hes keen to save up for his own place, scared hell end up with nothing.
So it turns out he wants to live at our expense. Expects us to do the renovation and pay for it all. So I told him, if you think this is someone elses flat, then you can pay us rent. He just smiled and agreedMargaret exhaled deeply.
And what does your daughter think?
Shes terribly upset, always in tears. She loves him dearly, but we cant register the flat in his name too. Now she says she doesnt want the flat or the renovation anymore. But I do worrya man unwilling to invest anything in the family before theyve even wed? What does that say for their future? Theyre not even married yet, and already plotting potential divorce and splitting assets, Margaret shook her head.
Do you think my future son-in-law ought to put something into this flat? He plans to live there, start a family, make it a home. What does it matter whose name is on the deed? Or is his stance actually reasonable? If you were in his position, what would you do?
