ILs owe us, but get mad when we ask for it

CowgirlK39 · January 2014

We split the cost of a winter rental storage unit with my ILs, and each month I send the check because the building is owned my our LL so we send our rent and the storage rent together. However, my ILs get behind in paying us their half very often. Right now they are two months behind, so I told DH to politely remind them they owe us. MIL shot back at him that we only talk to them when we need money. This is the second time she has said that and it's so annoying. We see them pretty often, I'd say at least every two weeks or so (but we text/call more often than that). MIL doesn't think that's enough and complains to all DHs siblings that she doesn't see us enough. We have been very lenient about the rent but that's money out of our pocket each month. We have already told them that we are NOT keeping this unit once spring starts but in the meantime, we need their half of the rent. What do we do? Are we being unreasonable? Is there a better way to ask?

hoffse · January 2014

You're not being unreasonable, and there's really not a better way to ask. It's your H's job to collect from him parents.

Is there a way to get out of the unit sooner? Perhaps have H tell MIL something to the effect of, "We can't afford this unit without your half of the rent. If we don't get your half by X date, then we will cancel the storage unit by Y date."

That's really all you can do. And file this info about your ILs away for future reference - if they aren't reliable when it comes this sort of thing, then you don't want to be splitting things with them in the future unless they front you the money beforehand.

As for MIL complaining about not seeing you guys, that sucks but it's life. My H is definitely the prodigal son among the three boys in that family - but only because the other two live less than 10 miles away, and he lives 100 miles away. God forbid. Point is, people get used to it. And if they don't, them my solution is to see them less frequently rather than more frequently. I personally dislike that sort of family drama, and I try very hard not to let our lives be controlled by either set of parents.

goldiemu · April 2014

It's funny because when you watch Judge Judy, the people that owe money almost always have a counter claim of harrassment to which the judge throws out because it is not considered harrassment when someone is trying to collect money that you owe them.

hoffse · April 2014

goldiemu said:

It's funny because when you watch Judge Judy, the people that owe money almost always have a counter claim of harrassment to which the judge throws out because it is not considered harrassment when someone is trying to collect money that you owe them.

1) This is a really old post.

2) You're actually incorrect - it CAN be harassment in certain states if you don't follow certain procedures. In fact, you can get in a lot of trouble.

3) Judge Judy should never be considered a source of legal authority. Ever. That would be like saying Gray's Anatomy is a source for medical advice. Good God.

CowgirlK39 · April 2014

Wow, my old thread got bumped. Crazy. Anyway, this is still an issue even though they took their car out of the storage unit last week. They owe us two months backed rent and I told DH to ask for it again. Thank god the weather lightened up and we can be done with this issue as soon as they pay us.

tigerfighter · April 2014

If they try to go in again next year I would ask for the full amount up front or no deal.

ILs owe us, but get mad when we ask for it

Re: ILs owe us, but get mad when we ask for it

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