I've got a mortgage. When my partner moves in, should she pay?

silvercar

suchgreatheights wrote: »

I also think it is fair that some form of rent is paid on top of this. As a homeowner you are taking all of the risk and people don't generally expect to live rent free.

By excluding yourself from home ownership (by moving in to partner's home with no equity entitlement), you are excluding yourself from any share of the growth in the value of the property.

Long term that could amount to a large amount.

sarah_loobylou

I personally would not charge her any rent or mortgage, but split all bills equally.
When you decide to get a place together, there's no confusion about whether she should get a share of your house and hopefully she's saved up a nice healthy deposit with the money she didn't have to pay towards rent. Keep things simple!!
It is a conversation you need to have with her though to make sure she's on the same wavelength...

Ebenezer_Screwj

You are the owner of the house therefore you should pay the mortgage and the bills to protect your interests in the event of a separation. Why not suggest that your girlfriend buys all the food and general household items?

stmartinsdiver

It's your mortgage and your house so you continue to pay that and share all running costs 50/50 at least whilst you remain unmarried. From personal experience - keep it simple and even if you marry think very carefully before putting anyone else on the deeds unless they 'buy a share' otherwise if you were to split up things could get very acrimonious and expensive.

steampowered

Ultimately, if the partner is contributing towards household bills, it is reasonable for them to want a share of the equity if you split up. I think that remains true whether we are talking about groceries, rent, mortgage payments or whatever.


The legal situation, however, is essentially that only payments towards the mortgage or home improvements would count.