Should my flatmate's partner contribute to cost of bills?

Former_MSE_Joanne

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I share my rented home with another person. We get on just fine but recently his partner seems to be in the apartment all the time – even more so than me! I appreciate that she lives some distance away and that my home is closer to her workplace, but would it be unreasonable to ask her to pay a contribution towards household bills?

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orchidrin

It's hard to know as it depends whether they are using hot water for showers, heating the house more etc . My son had a girlfriend who gradually moved in without asking me and after a few months of her leaving piles of her laundry with his and using all my toiletries ,baths everyday etc and not a penny towards any bills I finally lost my temper. So it's best to sort things out before you all end up falling out.

ChristmasBlies876

Short answer is no. As there is no legal contract, and just like you could, your flat mate has invited someone to share their space.

Longer answer is of course, it's common sense.

The solution will probably flat mate moves out to move in with partner.

keithyno.1

Yes I think you are quite entitled to ask that your flatmate's partner pays something towards at least the utility bills. If they're there most of the time then essentially it's gone from a house/flat share between two people to a share between three people.

Hence the bills (at least) should be split three ways. And when that's sorted you can then start negotiations on whether the rent should be split three ways!

It's a sad fact of life that people will take you for a mug financially a lot of the time, even though they don't consciously mean to. Don't let them!!

System

Is the gf renting elsewhere? Does she get a reduction for the time she doesn't spend there? I can see the flatmate arguing that she'd be paying twice if she rents elsewhere too, though I do think some contribution is fair.

flyingflea

We've had this question asked before and my response is the same. Money owing amongst friends is a tricky one as if the other party does agree that they should pay up then things will get awkward very quickly.

Sometimes when a situation is temporary, it would make for an easier life to let some things go despite not necessarily being the fairest way of dealing with it.

Besides the bills split three ways instead of two won't be a significant amount of money when you consider what you might spend on a night out.

warmhands.coldheart

I would say it depends.....

if she's just using the place as a doss house as it's closer to her work and is not pulling her weight around the place then yes..

If she's working then its not like you'll be using any significant more heating, electric or the likes and if she is putting in a bit of effort around the place like cleaning, cooking, chipping in with shopping for "communal stuff" like washing up liquid and the sort of stuff everyone uses then unless it's really bothering you then no...

LEJC

what does the rented tenancy agreement say about subletting the property...?

chocaholicmanc

Definitely! I'd say rent is a no go. It's down to him if he's willing to share his room, however she should be contributing to household bills.

I had this problem in a houseshare where one girl moved her (unemployed) boyfriend into the house. He was there 24/7, with the heating on all day, etc! Whereas I (and the other girl we lived with) worked full time and were hardly there. We finally found out that he HAD been giving his girlfriend money towards the house and she'd been pocketing it! Caused lots of problems but we did put our foot down and insist on splitting the bills 4 ways instead of 3.

It's certainly worth having the conversation, will cause fewer problems in the long run. Good luck

Mummybear1976

I think you need to have a discussion with your flatmate at a time when you are maybe amicably watching TV or something relaxed so that it doesn't appear confrontational. Just say that you've noticed that his girlfriend is in the flat more than you are and you would like to discuss a fairer way of dividing the rent/bills. I would imagine he's been waiting for the subject to come up at some point anyway. If the girlfriend is saving on travel costs because she's nearer to work and saving on her own bills because she's using your facilities it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect her to pay a third of the bills. If your flatmate chooses to have her stay in his room then that is his choice but giving you an additional burden of costs without consultation is just not on. Also, you are both almost certainly in breach of your tenancy agreement by having an unauthorised third party living with you. Worst scenario (although unlikely if you pay your rent on time and don't party all night) is that the landlord chucks you all out. I'm not suggesting that this particular girlfriend actually has a criminal record (although it's possible, of course) but if anyone else is in a similar situation and reading this, then it's worth noting that he could chuck you all out if the third party has any kind of criminal record because he is being exposed to a risk for which he hasn't had prior knowledge and hasn't had the opportunity to do background checks. You don't say if she has her own place elsewhere or lives with parents but, if you don't actually object to her being there in principle, you could always suggest that you get it made official and have her put on the tenancy agreement so that she becomes on an equal footing with regard to responsibilities.

Pollycat

MSE_Joanne wrote: »

I share my rented home with another person. We get on just fine but recently his partner seems to be in the apartment all the time – even more so than me! I appreciate that she lives some distance away and that my home is closer to her workplace, but would it be unreasonable to ask her to pay a contribution towards household bills?

I don't think it would be unreasonable to approach your flat mate and discuss the situation with him.
After all, he will be on the rental agreement, not her.

Is it the additional costs that you may be incurring that bothers you or is it because there's an extra person in your shared flat vying for the shower first thing in the morning or TV remote in the evenings etc?

Do you have a view of what additional costs you are incurring?
Does she use the food you buy, for example?

If it really bothers you, then make sure you are armed with financial information when you talk to your flat-mate.
But - if they are serious - it may end up with them deciding to share and leaving you to sort yourself out.