question:- I'm mortgage free. should my girlfriend pay me rent ?

aliasojo

frugalqueen wrote: »

I think it's a funny relationship anyway if you ask total strangers how you should manage it, the only person you should discuss any matters between man and wife/spouse/partner (and that includes any variation of same sex relationships too) is with your significant other and none of us are that person. From the way you've described it, it sounds like she doesn't want to pay you rent and you have to pay whatever you pay whether she lives there or not, so you will profit from her being there and she will not. If you love someone, you do not ask the question - can I live with them - you ask the question - can I live without them? If you can't live without her then you won't charge her to live with you, if you can live without her, then it's not to be?

I don't think there's anything wrong in asking such questions. It's not like the OP is going to live his life according to what we say, he's asking for opinion in order to judge whether perhaps his plans are acceptable or not to most people. That doesn't mean he's going to change his views on our say so, just that he's going to take on board other thoughts.

The issue isn't about household bills (which the OP's girlfriend is happy to pay) it's only about rent being charged.

boliston

frugalqueen wrote: »

I think it's a funny relationship anyway if you ask total strangers how you should manage it, the only person you should discuss any matters between man and wife/spouse/partner (and that includes any variation of same sex relationships too) is with your significant other and none of us are that person.

Perhaps then you should ask Martin to remove the "relationships" part of the forum

madeforidiots

It seems the OP is looking for the rent to put into an account...

To me that seems sensible that he isn't squandering it or using to pay any of his own debts.

Yes, for those of us who think its unromantic it is, but this is the real world. Bills have to be paid, people owe money, and at the end of the day, he had to pay a mortgage before she turned up...

If I live with my partner who pays the mortgage at her house, am I expected to pay 'rent' to cover said mortgage? Of course. Once mortgage finishes, there would be more money to throw around.

woody01

Won't be long before the OP is back playing the old 'one string base' alone every night again.

herbie__53

Hi everyone
I have been a lurker on this forum for months, but it is this post that has prompted me to register just so I can say something.

My mum lived with her partner (they were not married), in her mortgage-free house, for ten years. The mortgage was paid off well before this man came along.

He worked full time, my mum worked part time. He paid half towards *some* of the bills (not all) and never paid a penny towards repairs/maintenance. Basically he got a free ride.

Mum passed away last year, and the house was left to me and my brother as inheritance. But her so-called-loving partner wanted to claim the house as half his, based on the common law partner ruling (which he could have done).

In the end, we had to pay him a sum out of the sale proceeds to stop him for pursuing any claim. So not only had this man had a free ride for all those years, he also got some of our inheritance, and he never put a penny in.

Basically what I am saying, is that you should get EVERYTHING in writing, love doesn't matter here, as sadly people change for the worst when money is involved. That beloved girlfriend who says "of course I do not want to claim for half the house" may do just that.

It is a shame that formalities like this have to exist, but they are for the benefit of all involved.

[Deleted User]

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Who said romance was dead...

Heelllllloooo Angel,

I wouldnt charge u rent. LOL.

Hootie19

My first reaction when I read the thread title was that she should run a mile in the opposite direction.

But having read most of the posts on the thread, it seems that if she moved in with you, she would then have a claim on the property if you split up. I don't see why she should get anything from your house if you have worked hard and paid your mortgage off. Or if she should get anything, it should only be based on any increase in value over and above it's value at the day she moves in, and somehow apportioned due to how much she has contributed towards the house's improvements.

But if I've read the thread correctly, she would not be moving in with you into your house, as you would be moving to be nearer to her. So surely this rent thing is a moot point?

Anyway, my view is that you and your girlfriend should buy (or rent) a property jointly. You should rent your house out, using the rental income to pay your half of the mortgage on the joint property.

That way, you still keep your house to yourself, and by using the rent to pay the mortgage (or rent), you don't have any extra expenses. Plus you then have the (hopefully) profit you make should you and your girlfriend ever sell the house. All household expenses in the new property should be split 50/50, as you both use the Council Tax in the same way, both use the electricity, water etc etc etc, so should each pay half.

That's how I'd do it, anyway.



Or . . . why don't you move in with her into her present property and you can pay HER rent?

bargainbetty

I have to agree with all the posters who suggest that she be asked to pay a full 50/50 split on bills, and sign an agreement that she has no legal claim on the house should you split up without marriage (marriage would invalidate the agreement anyway).

However, and maybe this is just me, I wouldn't dream of telling someone that I won't contribute to their property - it has maintenance costs, and repairs are needed, and I would expect to pay a nominal sum towards that every months - not £250, admittedly, but £100 would not be out of the question. The moeny could be used for redecoration or repairs, and any leftovers could be used for a holiday or suchlike - shared benefits, rather than profits either way.

You are not hateful, loveless or any other spiteful epithet - you are being practical and sensible. I would much rather know I had a man with his head frimly screwed on than some flaky marshmallow taking no responsibility for himself.

Good luck

pepe2008

What sort of a man does that make you if you start taking rent off a Girlfriend?

Its your house, be proud of that fact!

....and if she starts to pay you any amounts of money towards the upkeep of the place what happens when she leaves?

emilyka

I too felt compelled to write after reading this..:p

I personally feel that the OP is right in many ways, your lady should contribute to the living costs in some way, certainly bills. The difficult bit is her claim to your property in the event of a break up. I am in a similar position, my OH owns his property (it is mortgaged) and I live there. Prior to officially moving in I discussed money with him and I offered to pay the bills and for groceries whilst he paid for the mortgage, thus I have no claim and he doesnt feel like he's being taken for a ride. Currently it works out that I pay slightly more than him (tracker mortgage!) but this isnt always the case.

I would say that regardless of the fact you have no mortgage your lady should contribute by paying all of the bills (as you have effectively paid her rent!) or to pay half the bills but pay you a small amount (say 30% of the properties monthly rental value) but pay it all officially, ie through a rent book and with records.

I would say if she doesnt go for this that she is after a bit of a free ride :eek: and you should live seperately, after all, it was your self control and hard work that enabled you to be mortgage free in the first place.