Advice needed: Flatmate and boyfriend problem

janine22

As above, please make sure that its clear that he will be liable for any fine/bills as a result of dodging council tax. Please also bear in mind though, that all of you may be equally liable (you might do well to check this out).

My housemate moved his bf in with us on similar terms (half room rent and full share each of bills), they demanded the biggest room as 2 were sharing (this caused arguments!) and the atmosphere was generally terrible.

They also split up halfway through the year and the resultant rows and awkwardness was unbearable (although it could have been a lot worse). I'm not suggesting that this will happen its just something for you to be aware of.

zcaprd7

My 2ps worth.

Council tax should be treated like a bill as any other - the pair of them are already saving on the rent and council tax is paid on the house - its not the poll tax!

Also, is he a student? If he isn't, the student saving will only be 25% rather than 50%:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/tax/council_tax.htm

mademoiselle_2

To this good advice, I would add: I hope you really do get on well with this girl's boyfriend, because once you are living under the same roof it's too late to find that the acquaintance that seemed 'ok' is really a nightmare!

Janine's post rang nasty reminder bells too - when it's couples who are sharing, watch out for breakups! My first home away from home was a shared flat - which I had intended to share with a (male) friend from college. When he said his girlfriend also wanted to share, I was pleased - it would mean the bills were split three ways, cheaper etc. Although I didn't know her as well as him, she seemed 'ok' and, what's more, she was able to use family connections to get us a flat.

Big shock number 1: the week we were to move in, they broke up! And it was girlfriend who had got her name on the flat documents, so she told him to march! I ended up sharing a flat with a girl I barely knew, and the friend I had wanted to share with, wouldn't visit becuase she was there!

Big shock number 2: she was a total, total nightmare. She bagged the biggest room, had her friends and family permanently encamped there - there was no peace, no privacy. She nagged about chores, everything had to be done 'her' way. She got drunk every night, dragged various men home as she revelled in her 'new freedom'. I would find total strangers using my towel and wash things in the bathroom. Then she decided that she was 'bi', - and started bringing women home too.

I had six months of the worst hell in my life before I found a flat on my own. But a good lesson! I hope you have better luck.