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

abdam

If you have a mortgage and charge them rent, they could feel entitled to paying the mortgage and can cause pressure within the relationship. Trust me....

So I'm not paying more as they are increasing outgoings, I ask my partner to buy the weekly food as part of their rent as it's something they need and will use too. Make that clear it's their payment like rent so they don't then feel entitled to the mortgage if they aren't actually on it. You could also so something similar with the utility bills etc. But only ask them to pay consumables as they are increasing your expense otherwise. 

tibbyltd

If I was the boyfriend I'd happily pay. I'd want mates rates though! 

If it became a long term thing I would suggest putting it towards our next home deposit maybe.

I'd love for someone to take me in!

newcastle1973

I think it would depend on the agreement about upkeep, repairs etc of the house. 

If you are splitting all housing costs, such as a new boiler if the current one when kaput, or redecorating costs, repairs, upgrades etc then no, I wouldn’t charge rent. 

If however, you would be expected to pay all upkeep, maintenance, improvement costs, then yes it’s only fair to charge a reasonable rent. 

gothvixen

I was shocked by this. The rent would be pure profit, and taking money from a partner in that way is such an insult to them. If I were the one being asked to pay, that would end the relationship. I'd be more than happy to share all bills and expenses, but making me a source of income is something I couldn't forgive. 

ScouseGeezer

Hopefully it won't happen, but if you charge him rent and then a few years down the line things turn sour between you, he may try and claim some of the equity in the house.  At least if you just split the bills, you can be sure he has no claim to anything else.

bikaga

I wouldn't charge someone for sharing my car if I'd bought it before meeting them, or my furniture, or my TV. The questions seems a bit off to me. However, if you think there's a good reason, especially if you need the money, do discuss it with him. Maybe you can come up with something that works for everyone.

Hodgie

1 - You have a house that you own outright - Your boyfriend lives with you - You split up - He claims that he has made finacial input to the running of the house - You no longer own the whole house.
2 - You charge rent - He's a lodger - You split up - You own the whole house.
Why the question?

Flipflop13

What was said when you asked him to live with you?? Why is this a question further down the line when it now feels awkward and a online forum seems more logical. 

Regardless of the above, I wouldn’t ask for rent, it’s making a profit but everything else house related is open to significant contributions and I’d suggest you make it clear that he should save the money he would have spent on rent/mortgage so if you decide to purchase a home together one day, he’ll have a decent deposit contribution. 

honestcove

If he is a friend who is is boy and he gets his own room then fine charge him money as rent.

However, if he is sharing your room then any fee you charge is perhaps a wholly different type of rent.

Sandtree

It depends on your relationship to start with and where you want to see things going.

The reality of someone moving in doesnt double your broadband bill or your electricity etc and so realistically you are already benefiting from them paying half all the bills. As others have pointed out, by making contributions to the home there are scenarios where this can entitle them to a claim on it if things dont work out.

All rhetorical questions but... what are your relative earnings? How are your relative disposable income? How intertwined are your lives? Its one thing if you're just about making ends meet, you're living very independently and they are out every night running up £200 bar bills without you -v- you earn vastly more than them, you spend every non-working hour together and they're working 60 hour weeks to be able contribute 50% of the bills already. 

I have to admit I was the polar opposite but that is what worked for us and our situation.