should i charge my partner rent?

londonsurrey

I think the issue runs deeper than just rent.

What is the agreement about how you are both going to run your finances after marriage? Split bills evenly, pool money and divide, or are you going to be the provider, etc?

It's interesting that clearing the debt has been identified as a trigger for the marriage. Why is that? Does she want you to prove that you're responsible enough for marriage, did you do something interesting to run up the debt?

What is she doing with the extra funds she currently has? Is she saving for the wedding, raving it up on the tiles, or treating the two of you sometimes with more expensive expenditure items/events?

podperson

Wow, you're on a cushie deal there - about 150 a month for rent and bills! I don't think you can really justify charging your gf more then half of that, as why should she have to pay your rent when you get most of it paid by your room mates anyway? Could you instead maybe suggest that you both have a savings account that you put some money into each month - with you possibly doing a token amount for now and then increasing it when your debts are paid off. This could then be put towards your joint future, ie getting married or if you wanted to buy your own place further down the line.

euronorris

Susan_Frost wrote: »

What does it matter what arrangement he has with the other people, presumably they are ok with gf moving in or they would have said something before now. My son once shared with 2 others, and paid less than them because he had the "box room" bedroom - people tend to sort themselves out.

I think it would be ok for your gf to help with your share of the rent. But I would not put it to her as "charging her rent" but more like "sharing the rent".

But we don't know that they are OK with it, the OP hasn't stated either way.

I did wonder if perhaps the OP had a smaller room, but that still wouldn't account for such a vast difference between the rents payable by each.

Maybe he is legally sub-letting and all is hunky dory. But, maybe he is illegally sub-letting in order to clear his debts faster, but could end up in more trouble. Best to cover all angles.

pigpen

I know someone in the same position.. he is married now to gf still wih same living situation. For a time he rented all 3 rooms and sept in the garden in a tent.. through 2 summers and a winter!!!

Anway the house is owned by him (well his parents bought it for him and it has a mortgage)

The mortgage is split 3 ways .. per room.. they each (the 4) put equal money on to the gas,electric, c.tax a month and each buys their own food.

however sil does all the cleaning, most of the washing and justifies paying lower rent there.

In your position I would not charge her rent.. I think you would be very cheeky given you barely pay any! I would split utilities 4 ways though.. it is only fair.

getmore4less

If these are subletting lodgers what's your tax situation?

rent a room only allows £4250 you are taking in £13500.


As for the question actualy asked

I think you should split the bills 4 ways and the shortage of rent ou need to cover 2 ways.

It is not relevent that tyou rent the house(rather than own it) you get lodgers in at marker rates, it's your house not a house share.

Any

Susan_Frost wrote: »

What does it matter what arrangement he has with the other people, presumably they are ok with gf moving in or they would have said something before now. My son once shared with 2 others, and paid less than them because he had the "box room" bedroom - people tend to sort themselves out.

I think it would be ok for your gf to help with your share of the rent. But I would not put it to her as "charging her rent" but more like "sharing the rent".

fawd1 wrote: »

Seriously???? SERIOUSLY????? OK, so I completely understand you sharing your bills 50/50, but are you actually saying, that when your living costs are around 150 a month, you want to charge your fiance substantially more? So you really want to use your fiance to pay off your credit card debt. What a great way to start your life together, maybe if she has a car that you get in, she can charge you a fare.

Percisely what they said...

I can't see how does it have any bearing on the matter or any matter how much he charges other people rent.

When you get house Buy to let, do you only charge them the cost of the mortgage?? Or nothing at all - because at the end you own the house?

It is commercial agreement, he is fully responsible for the house (he bears all the risks and benefits) and he can charge as much as he thinks the market stands... (obviously as long as he is allowed to do so..).

However, fiancee is different matter...

Any

getmore4less wrote: »

If these are subletting lodgers what's your tax situation?

rent a room only allows £4250 you are taking in £13500.

Very good point...
But he also has to hand rent over to the landlord, so deductable expense...
Not sure if would actually fall under rent a room scheme though...

puddy

from how it reads, they are not flat mates, they are his lodgers, so they wouldnt have any say in whether she moves in

euronorris

puddy wrote: »

from how it reads, they are not flat mates, they are his lodgers, so they wouldnt have any say in whether she moves in

He specifically says 'I rent a house' and 'I have two roommates'.

So, I don't think he owns the place as some seem to think he does.

puddy

yes, he says he rents the house, the whole house for 1200 a month. he then rents 2 of the rooms out for a particular price which i presume is the average for the area and a price the lodgers are happy to pay. they are his lodgers