Own house, GF moving in, any advice appreciated.

Thrifty_Phil

Hi

I'm seeking some advice.
I've got my girlfriend moving into my own house, (Mortgage Left -60K)

She has her own house which she is renting out to her best friend and her boyfrind privately. Until her mortgage end in May.

Ideally I'd like her to keep renting her house out.
I would like to protect my house if things should turn sour. She is moving in to see how we get on living together as I'm pretty tidy and she's not. she also has some cats which I'm not keen on.

If we split up how would I stand? I'm charging her rent, bills at moment for me are £900 Month, shes off to pay about £350. My Mortgage repayments are £550.

I know it seems mad asking the question but I'm just like to protect my position if things don't work out.

Magentasue

Surely your gf is the one who should be worrying!

$$$_12

Not keen on her cats or her untidyness, eh? Are you sure you are both ready for this? Living together is really hard work sometimes...

seven-day-weekend

I personally would never have considered living with someone if I was worried beforehand about the untidiness or the cats.

Could she be your lodger (make her rent inclusive of billsand don't give her an AST) rather than a tenant as this I think would protect your house more.

However, if these things are bothering you I would think twice about the comittment of moving in together.

PasturesNew

I'd hope that if ever I moved in with a bf that we sorted this sort of thing out first. I'd certainly not want him to feel that I'd ever put any claim in on his property, no matter how long we'd been together.

I'd be happy being declared a lodger and paying rent and signing away any real or perceived increase in house value.

I do think the untidyness and cats issues are large ones. And, unfortunately, I think things won't turn out great

They are important issues.

How long have you been together? Have you ever holidayed together/were you annoyed by her?

If it were me, I think I'd move in, paying half the utility bills only, for a trial period, status of "visiting friend", say from now until the end of January. Then move out again so we could discuss it rationally. I'd not let out my place in case it all went tits up.

pinkshoes

I'm presuming she won't want you getting your sticky paws on any of her equity either, so maybe draw up a renting/lodger contract.

Sounds like this living together thing is doomed from the start! I moved in with my OH after 15 months together, and that was pretty scary - he discovered how messy I was!!! We just have to compromise, coz i may be messy, but he's cr*p at cleaning!

roses

I agree with protecting your assets as she is moving in. But I am not sure giving her a tenancy agreement will protect you if she is paying you rent. If she has any contribution at all to the upkeep of the house then she could legally take you to court for a share if you broke up.

How about getting her to buy all the food or paying some of the bills instead of accepting rent from her?

Why are your bills £900 though??

Gorgeous_George

I'd suggest you agree with her regarding the 'what ifs'. Then, speak to a solicitor to have an agreement drawn up.

You are right to want to protect your assets. I know people who have lost their homes to their girlfriends.

GG

lindsaygalaxy

Im gonna be the optimistic one (im such a romantic). You love each other enough to move in together, thats great! Keep this honeymoon period as long as possible and stop stressing!

BUT i think you do need to have these things sorted as much as possible How many bedrooms do you have? If you have 2, why not keep the second bedroom for you or her, so that you can both still keep your own space - the amount of arguments me and my ex had over the hours he spend on the playstation!

As for money, she has her own property already, she should keep it and rent it out, even if you end up getting married this is a wise investment.

Mortgage and bills - i would split everythign 50/50 so there can be NO arguments about it - other word of advise, dont share accounts/credit cards etc, to protect you both, it has got may of us in here in the trouble that we are in.

Charge her as a lodger includign all the rent/electricity then there can be no arguments. she gives you the same amount each month, food gets split down the middle, home phone bill get an itemised bill.

See, not that complicated at all.

Oh, as for tidyness, just tell her you like to keep things tidy, make a rule of things like in the week after dinner everything is washed up and put away, but at the weekends when you are relaxing it doesnt matter so much.

Mozette

Thrifty_Phil wrote: »

Hi

I'm seeking some advice.

My advice is this: don't do it.

lavidaloca

I personally wouldn't move in with anybody that didn't like animals.