Co-own house with my ex - where do I stand re: my partner living with me

Benmango

Hi, I'm after a bit of advice.

Long story short but I co-own jointly a house with my ex. We don't have any children. We split up amicably 2 & half years ago, and continued to be friends. Due to numerous circumstances we decided to both carry on paying the mortgage, with me living there still. This was a mutual agreement.

6 months ago my girlfriend of a year moved in, and as such at the time we agreed my new girlfriend would pay some money to my ex as a form of rent/lodging (we were still on good terms). You can see where this is going!

Since then, relations with my ex soured a bit, mainly due to distance and generally as a result of how life moves on. At Christmas my ex messaged to says that she'll want to sell the house this year & I agreed.

Today, my ex messaged telling me that if my current girlfriend (L) didn't pay her double the £ she's currently paying her, then L would have to move out. The figures quoted are in our opinion unfair and simply put we won't pay them. We were paying a fair amount.
My question is: my ex says L will have to move out if she won't pay - could my ex legally do this?

I understand that most responses to this will be to talk to her, which I will, or sell up (which I will ) but I just wanted to get a good idea of my legal footing regarding this.

Thanks
Ben

getmore4less

You can have any guests you like in your house.


GF might have a tenancy as she is paying rent to a non resident landlord.

ViolaLass

What is your ex going to do? Evict your girlfriend? Hardly something that can be done quickly.

Bermonia

Wouldn’t even see eviction as a possibility, not when they are there on invitation from OP - would surely need both parties to agree b fore anything could go legal.

Only threat really has is selling up which you seem amicable to - if she wants to be a real pain she could of course move back in (as would be her right) and make things as awkward as possible.

Benmango

Thanks all. She could indeed move back in, that I was semi-aware of but she'll never do that as she works quite far away now, plus lives with her new partner.
I am indeed open to selling, and will intimate as such, however I know I'll get blow back from saying that I don't agree with the £ increase until that happens.

I just wanted to make sure if, as a result of me saying no to her demands, she in turn states that my gf must move out, she would have a legal case to do so.

Thrugelmir

Threaten that your new partner will pay no rent at all. Or ask your ex if she's declaring the income to the HMRC.

Meanwhile look to separate yourself from your ex. Time to move on.

stator

Crazy situation that your ex has allowed to exist.

Is she a landlord now?
Does she know what responsibilities a landlord has?


Best bet is to sell the house and move on rather than continue this crazy situation.

getmore4less

Get the place on the market.

Bermonia

Totally agree with Thrugelmir - you are in the stronger negotiating position, about time she knew as much.

Get the property on the market and distance yourself as soon as possible, she’s clearly going out of her way to involve herself in your life and make it difficult.

Voyager2002

Bermonia wrote: »

Totally agree with Thrugelmir - you are in the stronger negotiating position, about time she knew as much.

Get the property on the market and distance yourself as soon as possible, she’s clearly going out of her way to involve herself in your life and make it difficult.

Not necessarily: perhaps she is now short of money and for the first time has thought about the amount of rent she is getting, and thinks it is not enough. Anyway, I agree that the practical advice is sound.