Diplomatic dilemma re: in-laws and moving - any advice?

cheepskate_2

Change the locks and hide behind the sofa when they ring the bell.:rotfl::rotfl:

Jowo_2

Deleted_User wrote: »

...
I think the first thing for us to do is say that we will be needing their wardrobes as we don't have enough storage space in the new house, so that will immediately mean their belongings need a home. ...

Nope, that's your problem. You can't expect them to start separating their household belongings from yours, suggesting they put them into storage, while cherry picking what you can keep...

EDIT: This post assumed that the in-laws are the purchasers of the wardrobes whereas I'm realising now the OP probably means they've just usurped her own furniture as their own, in which case, apologies.

Jowo_2

Deleted_User wrote: »

At least there is light at the end of the tunnel I suppose - I expect they will return to the UK in a few years when they can sell their property for an amount that's enough to get them a place over here.

Nope - that's very complacent. For example, the UK market could recover a lot more quickly than the Maltese and exclude them. Or they could both recover at the same rate which means if the are x% short of affording a UK property now, they will suffer an exact proportional shortfall in the future.

You surely don't expect the Maltese market to shoot up while the UK market declines or stagnates, do you?

Without being callous, once your in-laws mother passes on, will they inherit her estate or is there no estate to speak of?

[Deleted User]

Jowo wrote: »

Nope, that's your problem. You can't expect them to start separating their household belongings from yours, suggesting they put them into storage, while cherry picking what you can keep...

Sorry, I'm confused by what you mean. They are our wardrobes, not theirs.

[Deleted User]

Jowo wrote: »

Nope - that's very complacent. For example, the UK market could recover a lot more quickly than the Maltese and exclude them. Or they could both recover at the same rate which means if the are x% short of affording a UK property now, they will suffer an exact proportional shortfall in the future.

You surely don't expect the Maltese market to shoot up while the UK market declines or stagnates, do you?

Without being callous, once your in-laws mother passes on, will they inherit her estate or is there no estate to speak of?

There won't really be much in the way of an estate...a few grand at best I would imagine.

The issue, I think for them, is that their property in Malta is worth quite a tidy sum and they *could* downgrade if a property became available, freeing up enough cash to buy somewhere small over here. But, no-one's really selling in this particular resort (which is where they want to live) so they're waiting.

Jowo_2

Deleted_User wrote: »

..

Granny lives in South London (Croydon ish) - 45 minutes drive from us (Bromley).

So does my Granny! Not very far away from a travelodge and absolutely shedloads of hotels and guest houses.

Central London is 15 minutes by train from Croydon and has an even greater availability, including short term apartments (perhaps there are some available in Croydon and the surrounds that cater for business travellers so are comfy and spacious).

They've got a car and aren't in the sticks...

Jowo_2

Deleted_User wrote: »

The issue, I think for them, is that their property in Malta is worth quite a tidy sum and they *could* downgrade if a property became available, freeing up enough cash to buy somewhere small over here. But, no-one's really selling in this particular resort (which is where they want to live) so they're waiting.

But there's no incentive for them to downgrade anyway since they are now under the impression that their accommodation requirements are being met in the UK....

I'm sure there are genuine market problems to sell their overseas property but who would give up a big villa to move to a smaller one and buy a pokey place in the UK to live in part of the year, if they felt they didn't need to...

[Deleted User]

Jowo wrote: »

But there's no incentive for them to downgrade anyway since they are now under the impression that their accommodation requirements are being met in the UK....

I'm sure there are genuine market problems to sell their overseas property but who would give up a big villa to move to a smaller one and buy a pokey place in the UK to live in part of the year, if they felt they didn't need to...

Yes! That's a good point...

Cannon_Fodder

Say that with your huge new mortgage you need to start charging rent...?

At a rate that is higher than a nice B&B you have found...

puddy

Jowo wrote: »

Do they drive? If so, they can hire one to visit the elderly parent and drive to a local B&B.

Can the OH sister put a sofa bed in the living room? Or have a travel cot and fold away double bed so the baby can be in the same room as them when her parents stay?

i havent got to the end of the thread yet, but this is an idea for yourselves, start making clear that when they stay, they will be staying on a sofa bed in the living room, start discussing what lovely sofa beds you've seen, say that you think they'll be very comfy on this

need to raise the issue of them packing their things and then say, 'have you made any plans yet for storage?' quite innocently