Money Moral Dilemma: Should I ask my girlfriend to pay me?

happyinflorida

How much is she making on all of the houses she is buying, doing up and selling or is she letting them out?

You need to have a conversation with her about this.

Did she go out with you when she found out you were a builder?!

The way the question is worded, does sound like she's using you.

If she's making a good profit, then she should pay you - that is only right as she's making out of your free labour.

Are you living together? Is she paying her way?

I need to know more before being able to offer anymore advice!

happyinflorida

doctorblunkett wrote: »

thats an appalling way of looking at it. shame on you

I disagree with your opinion.

I saw this and thought it was one way of looking at it

In todays world, all things are considered really

Augustus_the_Strong

She's taking you for a ride - either charge her or share the profits

Big_Ot

You are indirectly paying for your relationship. There's almost a word for that!

REJP

If you are doing the work in your own time because you love her and want her to succeed in business, then it becomes a labour of love and the success is a shared reward.
If you are doing the work in business hours when you have other customers to deal with, then she should pay you the going rate.
Finally, if you have to ask this question, I would wonder how much love there really is in your relationship, and if you are feeling she is only with you for her own benefit. Perhaps you should ask for a share of the profit on sales and see how strong your relationship really is.
I don’t agree with the comment that “nookie” is a payment, that equates with prostitution, but I do agree with the comment that the labourer is worthy of his hire.

Comms69

happyinflorida wrote: »

I disagree with your opinion.

I saw this and thought it was one way of looking at it

In todays world, all things are considered really

All things considered the girlfriend is a prostitute?....

Malthusian

Not only would it be more equitable for you to share in the profits one way or another, it would be more tax efficient as well. If she pays you for the work it's a business expense if held via a company or deductible from the capital gains tax calculation if held in her own name (provided that the work is for improvements and not for repairing normal wear and tear). If you buy the houses jointly then you can use both your capital gains allowances and basic rate tax bands when selling them on.

I suggest putting this to her. If her response is "who cares if it's more tax efficient, it won't be my money anymore" then you are definitely being taken for a ride. It only makes sense for you to work for free if your relationship is a joint enterprise and what's hers is yours and vice versa.

Dan_Thunder

I think that it also depends on how much work the OP is doing.

If it's only the odd bit of helping out then I think it's fine to do without pay. If it's major building works then, yes, I think you should certainly discuss payment. Unless you're basically doing 50% of the work involved in selling a house i.e. /researching/buying/repairing/advertising/selling/legal work etc etc then I wouldn't even bother going down the road of a partnership. Also, in that case, what would happen if the relationship ended on a sour note?

scd3scd4

Dan_Thunder wrote: »

I think that it also depends on how much work the OP is doing.

If it's only the odd bit of helping out then I think it's fine to do without pay. If it's major building works then, yes, I think you should certainly discuss payment. Unless you're basically doing 50% of the work involved in selling a house i.e. /researching/buying/repairing/advertising/selling/legal work etc etc then I wouldn't even bother going down the road of a partnership. Also, in that case, what would happen if the relationship ended on a sour note?

Is 25% of the work ok?


I would see it more as how much time I was spending, doing the work and getting materials..

Copio007

You don't mention how serious the relationship is, but if it is then maybe this is another way of thinking in terms of "partnership"...in this case business. You can both become "exclusive" and "sharing"!!

However, if this is still early days, I would keep your own work and money going so neither feels the other is taking advantage.