Advice over splitting the finances

Googler51

My partner and I are in our 50s. We have been together about 18 months. They moved in about 6 months ago, rented their house out and we split all bills and household purchases that come from our joint account. I pay the mortgage. 
I do feel that we could grow old together. We have discussed them buying into half the house, but they haven’t done anything about that yet. 
However, we are spending time and money doing it up together. Should I ask for rent money as they make money by living here and renting out their house. 
In a relatively new and happy relationship, I don’t want to come across as ‘planning for a split.’ 
Advice welcomed. 

Comms69

Not sure if "rent" money is really appropriate. 

As long as he/she is covering half the costs, the rest isnt really relevant. Let's say it wasnt a house, but a pension - you wouldnt be asking for that. 

Fireflyaway

I'd say for now it's OK. You each have your own property but share your own living costs as far as bills go. 6 months isn't that long to have been living together. I think in your situation I'd keep it as it is. Later if you get married you could put both properties in joint names and also share the income that comes from the house that's being rented. To be very honest if it carried on this way for too long 12 months +, id probably start to question why your partner isn't offering to pay towards the mortgage. Does the rent he / she receives cover the mortgage on the place that's rented? Do you both work? These things might impact as to whether your partner sees the rent income as actual extra income or if it covers the mortgage only it's more of a bill if that makes sense. 

pinkshoes

Googler51 said:

However, we are spending time and money doing it up together. Should I ask for rent money as they make money by living here and renting out their house. 

I would be asking for a fair share of the bills, and that is all. (I read your post as if it is a partner and children that have moved in to your home, so if it's just you and lots of other people, then they should pay more than half of all bills).

I definitely would NOT be accepting money towards improving the house. This is a REALLY bad idea and complicates things if it should all turn sour...

maman

Yes, at your age with an 18 month long relationship I wouldn't be doing anything to put your ownership of the property at risk.
Are 'they' adult children that have moved in along with your partner? If so, I think they should be contributing too.

Annisele

pinkshoes said:

I definitely would NOT be accepting money towards improving the house. This is a REALLY bad idea and complicates things if it should all turn sour...

Absolutely; this plus a million. Even rent payments are less messy than a contribution towards improvements, but (unless you can't afford things otherwise) I wouldn't be asking for rent here. I'd be a little nervous even about their labour towards the house, but so long as it's not more than you'd expect from a very good friend who wasn't living with you it should be OK.

Depending on whether the partner is profiting from letting their house - and depending on the partner's overall finances - I might be expecting the partner to pay a bit more than half of discretionary stuff like entertainment. But if you can afford things as they are, I'd likely leave them like that (except for the home improvement money).

[Deleted User]

I think the use of "they" is to keep things gender neutral.  

It's only been 6 months so I don't see what the rush is for your partner to buy into your property.  Have you even considered how that will work in terms of equity, savings, mortgage and wills?  Your partner appears to be paying half the bills excluding mortgage and is spending time and money doing up your house which at the moment has no financial benefit to your partner.

If your partner experienced a void with their property would you offer to pay half the mortgage?