Partner going halves on decorating

burnoutbabe

when my Boyfriend moved into my flat, i didn't charge him any rent as i wanted to avoid the hassle of any claim - and as my mortgage was paid off, i didn't want to profit from him.

So he saves the amount he would pay in rent (£500ish) into a savings account for a future house purchase together.

He does of course pay 50% of the council tax/elec/water/sky - i worked out what they were in total and shared that. We also have a credit card we use for joint things (food/holidays/going out) that he gives me 50% off.

If he told me we HAD to decorate some rooms before we moved in, i'd tell him to take a hike lol. if he wants to do them, can't he do them himself DIY style for a lot less money. And paint together which is cheap as chips. I'd pay for any improvements myself like a new bathroom as you don't want to get things confused.

hazyjo

antrobus wrote: »

Then you'd need a rent agreement, or even a lease. Same difference really.

No you wouldn't - probably advisable to have some sort of 'rent agreement' so you know what's covered. You definitely wouldn't need a lease!

Jx

BitterAndTwisted

Anyone who owns their own home and has a partner move in with them should never accept a penny from them which can later be construed as rent or paying towards repairs or improvements as this will give them an opportunity to make a claim on the property should the relationship break down later. People can do extraordinary things in the aftermath of a relationship breakdown.

A live-in partner can never be a lodger, as lodgers don't have romantic or sexual relationships with their landlords, so the only money which should change hands is a 50% contribution towards the council-tax and utilities if you don't want to risk the roof over your own head later.

Person_one

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Cohabiting is only as stringent/difficult as you make it.

Depends on who you're cohabiting with!

heartbreak_star

Person_one wrote: »

Depends on who you're cohabiting with!

True, so very true! :rotfl:

HBS x

shegirl

I can't believe people actually charge their partners rent!Not my idea of a relationship!

Mojisola

shegirl wrote: »

I can't believe people actually charge their partners rent!Not my idea of a relationship!

Looking at it from the other side - if you stopped renting your own place and moved into your partner's house, would be comfortable living there and paying nothing?

Jinx

I would say see a solicitor armed with a list of questions, even just a half hour.

Hubby and I bought this house together before we were engaged and had a legal agreement in the event of a split - now we're married its all bets are off but to be honest it was as much about having the conversations about our finances and the worst possible thing happening as the actual agreement.

System

shegirl wrote: »

I can't believe people actually charge their partners rent!Not my idea of a relationship!

Nor me really, i think its mighty odd. Mind you, i'd expect some contribution off him even if its just to pay the grocery bill and a contribution to the utilities.

Maybe my idea of love is flawed but you dont go into a relationship with the fear of it being doomed to start with.

burnoutbabe

well you'd probably want to charge rent if you, for example, normally rented out a spare room for extra cash, but gave your lodger notice when your other half moved in.

But if you have been paying the costs yourself, it doesn't cost more if they move in. Of course they are then getting a cushi deal themselves.