Real life MMD: Should we charge a new housemate more to reduce our rent?

nednoodle

How would you feel if you found out that everyone in the houseshare was paying less than you? Having been in houseshares for many years I agree with previous posters that charging them extra but not telling them is asking for trouble. If you are upfront about it, you are paying £100 more than us and give them a reason and they agree to that, that is a different story. If you are embarrassed to tell them that they are paying £100 extra (because there is no good reason why they should be), then you have answered your own question and you shouldn't be doing it because it is unjustifiable. They will find out and the extra £100 will be insignificant in comparison to sharing your personal space with someone who hates your guts and who doesn't respect you.

BNT

I don't think it is immoral in itself.

In my mind it would only be wrong if you did this without letting the new tenant know that he is paying more. At best it would be stupid, but such lack of transparency would suggest lack of morality.

But, as long as he is aware and agrees, I don't see a problem.

Mada_3

Have you checked how much rent you are paying compared to your current housemates?

sarah01uk

Mada wrote: »

Have you checked how much rent you are paying compared to your current housemates?

My thoughts EXACTLY!

In my houseshare the rent was for the whole thing and the landlady didn't care how we split it. We did all pay different amounts as the rooms were different sizes. We agreed the splits before we drew straws for the rooms!
Whatever you do, be upfront about it. Good luck!

HorseShoes

Landlords don't care who pays what, so long as it all gets paid

I have a similar but far less extreme agreement with my flatmates. As we're all postgrad students we have limited budgets, so the one of us who is hardest up has the smallest room. The rent is £315 per week (London). So, 2 of us pay £107.50 per week, the other pays £100.

We all agreed on this before we moved in though. And there's no way the larger rooms would be worth paying any more than that for. And we split the bills equally.

ammiLy

Agree with others - only do this if you can justify the price (extra space/balcony/en-suite). If your total rent hasn't changed and you split bills anyway Don't know how you can put this 'you'll pay more so we can pay less' into words without sounding like you're ripping this person off??

I was in a situation where the flat was rented by one person and rooms sub-let to 3 other people. The main tenant split rent in such a way that themselves had only bills to worry about (so about £100 per month). This worked because everybody knew about it and their rent was small enough/competitive so no problems.

And a final point as many others said make sure your rights are protected if something goes wrong with the landlord.

hayleysellick

Let's just say I would not be happy if I found out my housemates were charging me extra if I was getting the same as everyone else...

TEssery

Fast forward a year when you have become friends and consider how it would feel ... if this was just a tactical short-term let (Olympics visitors, for example) then maybe but you have to live with these people - surely you don't want to exploit them this way?

bzd

There's no paperwork, so it doesn't matter what she/he agrees. They probably wouldn't have to pay you a penny and serve you right!!!

> [FONT=&quot] I think it is immoral, but if the new tenant agrees to the higher rent from the outset, is there any harm?

Up to your conscience then.
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King_Drax_I

Unless there is some really good reason for charging extra, like the other posters have said - more space, balcony, ensuite etc., then no this is not a good idea.

Even if, as I am assuming, you let the new housemate know about the rent differential before the event, still in a few weeks/months it may well rankle with them that they are paying more.

And then, as other posters have said, they're in your house; how do you protect against revenge? Remember you don't know this new person; who knows what they're going to be like? Might be a axe murderer....