Money Moral Dilemma: Should I charge my boyfriend rent, even though I don't have a mortgage?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My boyfriend lives with me in a house I own outright. While we split household bills equally between us, he doesn't pay anything to live there. I've been wondering whether to ask him for money for rent - or would that just be greedy?

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housebuyer143

No. I like money as much as the next, but you are literally making money off him. 

Split the bills fair enough, but can't condone charging him "rent". 

hazyjo

Wouldn't charge rent. He's getting cheap accommodation, but you're making money too. Bills are rarely halved by only one person living in a property.

He would be mad not to save money as a get-out plan should things go wrong, as he has no current security living with you.

Perhaps he may choose to be more generous with his money. Treat yourself to dinners, breaks/holidays etc. Tbh can't see why as you're both in the same boat. In fact, you're better off as you have a valuable asset. He (presumably) has nothing other than savings.

TheJP

Yes perfectly reasonable to charge rent, you paid for the house why should he pocket money that he would otherwise spend on rent elsewhere.

Ramouth

For me it depends on whether, if your boyfreind wasn’t living with you, you would have a lodger paying rent.  

If not, then having him live there is saving you money by splitting the bills.  Encouraging him to put the money he is saving by not paying rent into a savings account might be a good idea as this would mean that when you are ready to buy a place together in the future he will have something to use as equity.

dimbo61

What did you agree too when the subject of you both living together arose ?
Does he earn more money than you do ?
Can you see wedding bells, kids, bigger house etc

Are you a saver or spender ?
Did you save hard to buy your home or get Help ?
Is the BF a saver or spender ?
Do you have the same outlook on life !

theartfullodger

If (presumably ) he's not even offered  "rent"  he's clearly not worthy of being anyone's partner, regardless of gender, IMHO.  (That you then politely decline is a different matter).

However, beware, partners who do contribute (somehow..) have the right to claim so sort of interest in the property - see..
https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/relationship_breakdown/housing_rights_of_cohabiting_sole_homeowners/occupation_rights_if_one_partner_is_the_sole_owner

Many, including me, would suggest regularising  this sort of relationship over the property through a solicitor. 

Obviously relationships never go bad: Artful, 2 divorces, 3 marriages.. 

Best wishes, hope it works out.

Gycraig

TheJP said:

Yes perfectly reasonable to charge rent, you paid for the house why should he pocket money that he would otherwise spend on rent elsewhere.

In theory, probably not the reality when a year or so from now the partner wants to move out and is able to claim beneficial interest due to paying rent. 

Half of all bills is already making money off your partner 

SuseOrm

I think it depends on where you see your future with this person if he’s somebody that you wouldn’t mind handing over 50% of your money to right now then there seems little point in charging him rent but he should be insuring your lives are very comfortable i.e. he pays every time you go out for a meal theatre etc.  
if you’re not 100% certain that you would happily handover half of everything that you own then you probably need a more formal arrangement and put it under the rent a room agreement.  

MalMonroe

If you split all the bills equally I don't see why you'd charge him. He's not your lodger.

To be honest that's a question that would never occur to me if I was in a close relationship. 

I think your boyfriend's in a bit of a precarious position though because if you split up, he's going to have to find, and pay in full for, alternative accommodation.

Call me old-fashioned but I also don't like the fact that many people seem to pose this same question to a bunch of strangers about someone they are supposed to love. (That's why he's your boyfriend, right?) Talk to him, see what he says. Could be your undoing. Or not. But at least it will be honest.

MalMonroe

theartfullodger said:

If (presumably ) he's not even offered  "rent"  he's clearly not worthy of being anyone's partner, regardless of gender, IMHO.  (That you then politely decline is a different matter).

However, beware, partners who do contribute (somehow..) have the right to claim so sort of interest in the property - see..
https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/relationship_breakdown/housing_rights_of_cohabiting_sole_homeowners/occupation_rights_if_one_partner_is_the_sole_owner

Many, including me, would suggest regularising  this sort of relationship over the property through a solicitor. 

Obviously relationships never go bad: Artful, 2 divorces, 3 marriages.. 

Best wishes, hope it works out.

"If (presumably ) he's not even offered  "rent"  he's clearly not worthy of being anyone's partner, regardless of gender, IMHO" 

Gosh. That's hard. 

Two divorces, three marriages. Wonder why?