I was forced to live with my ex for a year after we split

Metro

3 days ago

Hannah Linsley and Michael Loven-Rogerson together on holiday before their split (Picture: Hannah Linsley/SWNS)
In 2023, Bournemouth University first-years Hannah Linsley met Michael Loven-Rogerson at a party — and from the off, their chemistry was undeniable.
Soon, they were in a relationship and spending every day together. So when it came to choosing accommodation for the next semester, there was little doubt they wanted to move in together.
Everything was going smoothly until August the following year, when just a month before they were due to get the keys to their two-bedroom flat, Michael dropped a bombshell: he wanted to break up.
While a split is always tough to navigate, this one came with another major issue. When Hannah spoke to the estate agent, they explained that they were unable to get out of their upcoming tenancy, so one of them would have to find a replacement housemate.
But neither of the 'very stubborn' pair wanted to back down and get a place elsewhere, meaning they ended up with no choice but to live with each other.
And as you can imagine, things quickly became complicated.
The couple were too stubborn to find replacement tenants (Picture: Hannah Linsley/SWNS)
Getting in the swing of things
While Hannah, 22, says the breakup 'wasn't great', she and Michael, 23, managed to remain civil.
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Aside from intimacy, their relationship was similar to before, and the exes continued to spend time with each other both in and out of the flat.
'I'd say it's been very up and down but mostly ups,' Hannah explains.
'We love the same music so whenever we saw each other in the club we'd be dancing together. We also loved having a bottle of wine, and still did food shops together which worked out quite well.'
They regularly went out on platonic 'dates' -= for dinner and to afternoon tea – and Michael even invited Hannah as a plus one to a Halloween party he was attending.
'It was funny because my friends asked 'why is his location the same as yours?'' she says.
The couple would still do things together like food shops and afternoon tea (Picture: Hannah Linsley/SWNS)
Michael, 23, from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, also described their situation as 'funny', adding: 'I genuinely can't describe it.'
Hannah's friends didn't find the situation as amusing as she did though, showing a clear dislike for Michael.
Regardless, Hannah ignored the tensions and had him dress up as a waiter for their Galentine's Day girls' night.
The golden rule
As a mark of respect, the pair agreed on one main ground rule they stuck to when living under the same roof: they were both free to be with other people, but bringing dates or one-night stands back to the flat was off limits.
If they ended up going home together from nights out, they'd also head off to their separate rooms once the got back.
'I'd be out on a Wednesday for student night and he'd be dancing with a girl, and he'll turn around and come with me,' says Hannah.
The couple thought about getting back together, but never wanted commitment at the same time (Picture: Hannah Linsley/SWNS)
It was hard to avoid spotting each other on dating apps, but Hannah says they'd match with each other as 'as a joke' to ease the awkwardness.
And although it sometimes felt like she 'unable to get escape each other', she actually enjoyed living living with her ex.
'I say to people I'd much rather be living with him as he's quite clean and tidy, rather than living in a house of six people and the kitchen always being a mess,' Hannah says.
Blurred lines
Despite the boundaries they put in place, being around each other so often led to some 'very confusing' feelings between the former couple.
In March 2025, Michael broached the idea of reuniting, but Hannah said no, keen to focus on her dissertation. Once she'd finished third year, she said they could 'give it a go', but this time Michael wasn't sure.
'He always says we're soulmates but I always say 'if we were we wouldn't have split up',' Hannah explains. 'I do think there could be a time when we get back together, but I don't know, it's the unknown.'
The couple were talking to other people, but never brought anyone back to their flat (Picture: Hannah Linsley/SWNS)
Now their year living together is over, Hannah is moving home to Portsmouth, to start her new job as a behavioural support worker in September.
Meanwhile, Michael is set to move into a new flat with five other boys as he completes his final year at university.
He says: 'For me personally I don't think a relationship is going to blossom this year coming up as I'm in my last year of uni. In the future, who knows? 'I don't think anything could compare to what we have. With me and her, it's never awkward.'
Hannah's unsure on whether she'll visit Michael once she graduated, saying: 'It might be a bit tricky if he finds someone new.'
But according to Michael, he's 'not going to find anyone new,' so it seems the door's still open for things to get back on track.
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