My husband and I own a small guesthouse on our property which we rent out for additional income. A few years back, my brother-in-law (my husband’s brother) asked to borrow $10,000 from us to settle some debts. He was in a tight spot, so we agreed to lend him the money, expecting repayment within a year.
Two years have passed, and we haven’t seen a dime of that money. He dodges the topic whenever we mention it and even went on a vacation to Cancun recently.
This situation has caused friction between my husband and me because I’m frustrated that he isn’t pushing his brother to repay us.
Now, with the guesthouse recently vacated, my brother-in-law wants to move in, stating he’s financially struggling and needs a place to stay for “a few months.” I immediately said no. I don’t trust him to pay rent, especially after not repaying the loan, and I’m still upset about the $10,000.
My husband believes I’m being too harsh, arguing that we should help family. However, I feel he’s taken enough advantage of us.
I told my husband that if he wants his brother to move in, he should either pay back the $10k first or sign a formal agreement with clear consequences for non-payment. My husband thinks I’m being unreasonable and cold-hearted.
AITAH for refusing to let him move in without clear terms?
Here’s what people said you might as well say goodbye to that $10,000, and if you allow that freeloader to move in, don’t expect it to be just for “a few months”; you’d be stuck with a permanent, non-paying tenant. If he hasn’t paid back the $10k, there’s no way he’ll honor any rent agreement. Letting him move in would only lead to more stress and financial loss. It’s better to stop the bleeding now.