Do I owe my boyfriend rent?

winklepickers · 31 July 2012 at 9:12PM

My boyfriend and I are breaking up and obviously I want to move out, but he says that if I do I owe him money and he will take me to court to get it.

We rent a flat together which has three months left on our six month lease but this rent has already been paid. I wasn't working when we moved in together, but he really wanted me to live with him rather than my parents so he offered to pay all £5000 upfront. When we moved in I set up the utilities in my name and started paying all the food. So far I've paid for all bills, food, toiletries and his clothes which has cost around £1050 over three months. I've been working for one month now.
He says I have to pay him £2500, so if I leave I owe him £1450, and we have a verbal contract so if I don't he will take me to court. I never said I would pay X amount back and he never asked for X amount until now.
Do I owe him? Can he take me to court and what does that actually mean?

I am really worried because I can't afford a new place to live and £1450. If I do owe him, do these other things count towards it:
I organised and paid £150 for his stuff to be moved from his old flat to this one and unpacked it for him.
I bought some furniture for the flat including a desk for him.
I have done 100% of the housework, even putting his clothes in the washing basket and handing him his pack lunch.

Am I in trouble here? What can I do?? I've tried searching for past threads but it's tricky because the rent is paid and only he was referenced though I am on the lease so I doubt our LL cares as they have the money. Any advice appreciated, I realise I've been stupid but didn't see us breaking up like this (who does?!).

lolly_896 · 31 July 2012 at 9:16PM

Is your name on tenancy

Hump · 31 July 2012 at 9:17PM

Is he the tenant and are you an authorised occupant?

Hump · 31 July 2012 at 9:20PM

You also need to seek some help as the situation you describe sounds like 'domestic violence' - quote "Staying until I have paid it all is not an option. He is frankly a very nasty person, emotionally cruel and threatening and I can only see it getting worse."

Get out, get help - be a survivor call Womens Aid on 0808 2000 247

winklepickers · 31 July 2012 at 9:21PM

I think my name is on the tenancy, I had to sign and initial but wasn't referenced as I had no income. I will try to find out.

paddedjohn · 31 July 2012 at 9:29PM

Hump wrote: »

You also need to seek some help as the situation you describe sounds like 'domestic violence' - quote "Staying until I have paid it all is not an option. He is frankly a very nasty person, emotionally cruel and threatening and I can only see it getting worse."

Get out, get help - be a survivor call Womens Aid on 0808 2000 247

Domestic violence my ar*e, he is only asking for his share of the rent (which i dont believe he has a chance of getting) and some womans libber screams domestic violence.

winklepickers · 31 July 2012 at 9:34PM

paddedjohn wrote: »

Domestic violence my ar*e, he is only asking for his share of the rent

I don't mean that about asking for the rent. It is the main reason I want to break up but I wouldn't personally consider it domestic abuse.

G_M · 31 July 2012 at 9:42PM

No. Move out.

1) if your name is on the tenancy as a joint tenant, (jointly and severally" responsible) then you are both equally liable to the landlord for rent and damage

2) but if the rent is already paid, that sorts that

3) if he damages the place, the LL could come after you (who paid the deposit if there was one?), but if you've already gone, LL is more likely to chase him

4) if your name is on the gas/leccy, council tax, then you are liable for these. But you could write to each of them, give them a meter reading, say you are moving out on X date, and close the account. Pay the finalbill they send to your new address.

5) food, toiletries, clothes etc. Not your problem. Let him whistle!

6) either leave the furniture you bought for him, or get a friend to help you move it out

paddedjohn · 31 July 2012 at 9:42PM

OP, the worst that can happen is that he takes you to the small claims court and they find in his favour meaning you will have to pay him some money but IMHO it wont be anywhere near the 2.5k hes after.

winklepickers · 31 July 2012 at 9:44PM

G_M wrote: »

No. Move out.

1) if your name is on the tenancy as a joint tenant, (jointly and severally" responsible) then you are both equally liable to the landlord for rent and damage

2) but if the rent is already paid, that sorts that

3) if he damages the place, the LL could come after you (who paid the deposit if there was one?), but if you've already gone, LL is more likely to chase him

4) if your name is on the gas/leccy, council tax, then you are liable for these. But you could write to each of them, give them a meter reading, say you are moving out, and close the account. Pay the finalbill they send to your new address.

5) food, toiletries, clothes etc. Not your problem. Let him whistle!

6) either leave the furniture you bought for him, or get a friend to help you move it out

So he can't make me pay anything?
He paid the deposit.
I was planning to leave the furniture so it would then be about £1700.

savingmummy · 31 July 2012 at 9:50PM

No i wouldnt of thought you owed him rent!

You have done a lot in respect of paying bills including food and clothing and a desk!
If your on the tenancy it may change things BUT if your not then just leave.

Do you have proof of the bills you`ve paid, things you`ve bought etc? Handy to keep hold of that for proof.

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Do I owe my boyfriend rent?

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