How much to charge my lodger (boyfriend)?

pab233

Just to add my tuppence-worth ...

I moved in with my partner in October. She owns 65% of her home, her ex-husband owns the remaining 35%. I previously rented.

Before I moved in, we sat down and worked out the various bills that both of us paid and decided the following :

We each pay our own individual bills (car tax, insurance, mobile, etc)
Utility bills, Council Tax & groceries are split evenly
Other house-related bills (eg insurance) are paid for by my partner.

I pay her £450 per month towards the shared bills and groceries. I do NOT pay anything towards the house itself as that would apparently technically give me a stake in it, something she is not prepared to do at the moment. She took legal advice on the impact of me moving in and that was what she was told.

Until my debts are cleared, I am allowed to live rent-free . However, once they are cleared, the money freed up will be saved to ultimately buy out her ex-husband's share of the property, at which point I will become joint-owner instead of him.

We came to this arrangement due to the terms of the house ownership with respect to her divorce as well as my debt issues. Ultimately, it protects her from me having any claim on the property if the relationship fails.

Don't know if this helps at all, but it seems to be working for us. The actual amount has increased slightly since I moved in as bills went up more than anticipated but we had already discussed that it might happen so wasn't a problem when it did.

Helvetica_Van_Buren

If you agree a fixed monthly sum, what incentive will he have to help you reduce costs? If "he's not like that" then he'll have no problem withe the following:

Gas: split 50/50
Electricity: split 50/50
Council Tax: split 50/50
Water: split 50/50
Council Tax: Split 50/50
Contents insurance: split 50/50 but only if your boyfriend would like his possessions covered by it
Sky / other TV package, broadband and landline: whoever wants it should pay for it. If you both want it, split 50/50
Mobile package: everyone should pay for their own.
Mortgage: Your call.

You're welcome.

louby40

I don't think a 50/50 split is fair as there are 2 other people in the mix - my kids! They use the water, electricity etc.

All of your answers have given me something to think about - so thanks!

bexster1975

Good luck louby!

I quite agree re: becoming financially involved. Unless you are married there is no financial protection for couples choosing to live together, so you have to set up your own protection. Not very romantic I realise, but better safe than sorry.

Bexster

Helvetica_Van_Buren

louby40 wrote: »

I don't think a 50/50 split is fair as there are 2 other people in the mix - my kids! They use the water, electricity etc.

I can't think of a fairer way than two adults living together splitting the bills. If your partner has no desire to contribute to your children's utility usage, you should seriously spend some time thinking about that.

*Unless your children are of board-paying age.

missbiggles1

kittykatneedscash wrote: »

Hi Louby

Has he offered to pay anything or suggested an amount? My Boyfriend has been living with me for nearly 12 months and not contributed anything toward bills or any kind of rent. He earns double me so I do feel it is a little unfair. He is trying to sell his property so still has bills to pay there and mortage etc. I am hoping it will sell soon so he can start helping out a little with the bills and it is a struggle.

I can hear alarm bells from way over here!:eek:

missbiggles1

louby40 wrote: »

I don't think a 50/50 split is fair as there are 2 other people in the mix - my kids! They use the water, electricity etc.

All of your answers have given me something to think about - so thanks!

I agree, particularly as you get child benefit for them and, I'd hope, maintenance from their father.

cms-help

louby40 wrote: »

I don't think a 50/50 split is fair as there are 2 other people in the mix - my kids! They use the water, electricity etc.

All of your answers have given me something to think about - so thanks!

An odd one given your personal circumstances.

As you don't want him on any paperwork other than the council tax then my instinct would be for him to pay the council tax increase. He, at least, then has one bit of paper in terms of a bill which proves his address.

As for the rest of the utility bills and food, can you wait and see what they go up by and charge him the difference? You seem like you want to be very fair and are factoring your older children in so that would seem like the fairest way to me if you don't want to go 50/50. Yes there's an argument you would have the expenses anyway (e.g. TV licence) with or without your boyfriend but doesn't he want to be seen to be contributing fairly?

Puddylove

I'm thinking of buying a house and having my partner move in with me. He has his own house which he rents out.
I'd expect him to pay half of all the utilities, half the council tax and half my mortgage as 'rent'.
That's the only fair way. If I don't charge him rent, he'll be living rent free at my expense while his tenants pay HIS mortgage (in that case, I'll move in with him and rent mine out!)

In your case, I'd expect yours to pay 1/4 of everything.

P x

tori.k

Puddylove wrote: »

I'm thinking of buying a house and having my partner move in with me. He has his own house which he rents out.
I'd expect him to pay half of all the utilities, half the council tax and half my mortgage as 'rent'.
That's the only fair way. If I don't charge him rent, he'll be living rent free at my expense while his tenants pay HIS mortgage (in that case, I'll move in with him and rent mine out!)

In your case, I'd expect yours to pay 1/4 of everything.

P x

Make sure you get something in writing, as it could potentially open a can of worms as he is contributing towards the mortgage.