Real-life MMD: Should I let flatmate subsidise me?

judy1010

£200 is a lot more to pay each month, that works out at £2400 more per year! Unless he's getting a significantly nicer room, I would question his motives...perhaps he's taken a liking to you when you just consider him a friend!

Also, perhaps he's desperate to move out and you seem like someone suitable and he might not mind now that he's paying more for the same but once he's settled in, he might resent paying more.

My advise: if he's got a much nicer room, e.g. with ensuite, and you have a much smaller room, then maybe it's fair, but otherwise I would feel like I 'owed' him something and wouldn't feel comfortable.:j

scarlet_macaw

Another point to consider is whether he can really afford to pay more or is it just that his spending priorities are different. If it ends up that you have more money left over for going out on the town, holidays etc, then an initially workable solution will soon end up breeding resentment.

Middlestitch

Might work if the room sizes/facilities are different (eg he has an ensuite).

slig

Surely the obvious answer is to get somewhere with uneven bedrooms, eg he gets the master with ensuite, you get the small bedroom. And then agree that makes you even.

braindrain

The simplest answer would be to ask him!

He obviously finds you harmonious to live with otherwise he wouldn't be making the offer and going on the problems a lot of flat sharers have I'd say this is of major importance but....

1) If there are no strings then how will you feel about being subsidised for no return?

2) Generally joint leases/tenancies are drawn up with equal responsibility for both tenants - would you have a verbal/ written agreement amongst yourselves and what would you do if 3 months down the line he lost his job etc and said you had to pay your full half of the rent?

3) If all is kosher would it be that bad doing a few more chores in return for a nicer location - how bad is your current one?

4) What is the current arrangement re housework?

5) Where did the extra chores bit come from - him or you?

There's a lot to consider and, if you go ahead with the deal, then you need to consider/sort out all of the above otherwise you could become 'warring' flatmates

Personally I wouldn't like to be subsidised by someone unless I was giving something in return although I agree with other forumites that him having the biggest bedroom or an en suite would mean it's only fair that he pays more rent. Perhaps you could look at some flats and see what's on offer?

Good luck

Love_Life_MK

I offered to do that with a friend before as I wanted to live in a nice area and wanted to pay less rent than living on my own. I was fed up with house shares and didnt want to risk living with a stranger. I thought paying more to live with someone I could trust was worth it, both financially and in terms of less stress. It didnt happen in the end as she decided not to move house...but on my part I had no hidden motives, I did expect that if one room was bigger/ ensuite that I would have that room though. The best thing is to talk to your flatmate about it...but be open minded that they may just think living with you is worth it...

Augustus_the_Strong

If you like living with him and would like to move somewhere nicer, why not try it out? Let him have the choice of rooms. If it doesn't work out, you can always move. As people say, talk it through.

gaily

e did that 10 years ago - Me and a friend, I had a better job and she was happy with the single room, whereas i got the double. £300 a month - Halcyon days

It worked as I had more space, and she got out of her parents house at a rate she could afford. Communal space was communal, and as we were both quite tidy, chores were neve a problem.

pennypinchUK

It wouldn't sit comfortably with me - I'd always feel indebted to my flat-mate. Nice gesture as it is by them, it could get awkward down the line. So often, friendships are wrecked by arguments over money.

tallgirld

Mmmm. I couldn't do it. Only because I wouldn't want to risk having it thrown back in my face!