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

superdudeo

Hodgie said:

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?

Christ, there’s so much misinformation in this thread. 

1. The house is already paid off so how on earth could they have a vested interest in the home

2. A lodger is not someone you’re in a relationship with. That’s not how it works.

Ed264

I wouldn't charge rent if he pays his fair share of the bills and other expenses. If you did, it could get complicated when (if) you ever decide to sell the property, stress which wouldn't be welcome.

superdudeo

Tinker0880 said:

I have been with partner for almost 10 years, he outright owns the house we live in and I pay half for all bills/food shopping etc however I don’t pay “rent” and he has never asked me to, over all I contribute over £600 a month, which includes finance on our new kitchen, we take it in turns to buy food if we go out,  however with this in mind there is house exactly the same as ours on our estate with a room to rent with own bathroom, all other rooms are shared, all bills included for £400 a month, so personally I would be better off living separately and in my mind I pay my fair share and spilt everything equally, I will also add that when we first got together and he moved in with me in my rental property, he never contributed to any utilities or rent, he paid for food shop every fortnight, so I guess it’s a personal choice on whether you feel he should pay “rent” as such. 

It’s not rent. It’s paying for the upkeep of the home they’re sharing. It’s not free to maintain a house!

Naned1

I don't see how you are making money out of him by him paying half the bills, as others have said
He lives there with you & is using light, heat, water etc & so it's expected that he will pay half the bills.
As to rent - No don't even ask him unless you want him to have a part of your house if you split up.

Blondebairn

Having an open and frank conversation about finances with a partner is crucial for the success of a relationship. Only you and your partner can decide what is fair and right for your relationship.  If you don’t, resentments are likely to build up - maybe you are already feeling slightly resentful he is only contributing towards the bills?   Maybe as some have suggested he pays rent or he invests more into joint savings or you agree something else.  Relationships can sadly end - if you haven’t agreed finances when things are going well, and discussed what might happen if you break up at a time when you are in love, it will be a great deal harder to manage if that sad day comes.  Good luck. 

ginger_chocolate

Charging your partner rent on top of bills when there's no mortgage to put it towards looks a bit like cold-hearted profiteering tbh. Or just really dodgy - what is he paying you for? Sure he has lucked out and is benefitting from living more cheaply - but given that you're not directly picking up the cost, why would you have a problem with that? Petty resentment isn't a great basis for a relationship.

He's also in a slightly insecure position, living in a house he doesn't own and could be kicked out of at any time, but he is free to do something about that - make sure he's got his own savigns and a back up plan if things go wrong (everyone should always have a back up plan  - even if you never use it, being sure that you could survive alone makes you sure that the relationship is something you are actively choosing rather than a financial necessity)

Obviously no-one knows the full situation, but I'd suggest one of the following would be a better plan:
- He buys half the property from you
- You make an agreement that he pays what he is saving on rent into a savings account, which you can later use towards buying another property together (and either keep your current home to rent out, or sell it). If the relationship breaks down, he's then also got something he can use to find his own place.

paulk3

He is already saving you money paying half.
I would not want a girl friend like you anyway!
If you feel charging rent is ok !?
For me it would be a sign,that this relationship is NOT going to work and I would get the hell out.
good luck you are going to need it !

SStitanic

If your asking yourself that, maybe he's just not "the one" 

SuseOrm

gekkobabe said:

@SuseOrm
Thanks for that, however before he moved in I asked benefits office and cab for help in paying bills etc, they told me because I had more than £16k in savings I am not entitled to anything, no financial support at all.
the savings I have is my inheritance from my mums passing for my retirement and possibly towards a new home closer to family one day,
So unless I am totally destitute and have no income at all, lose my house and any savings I have I will not be entitled to anything.
I'm stuck I think.  

@gek@gekkobabe I guess the only way would be to put the money into your pension and then at least you know you getting it back and obviously that’s a very tax affective way to save as well if not have you put the savings into an Isa so at least you’re getting some tax free income ? 

Dawson01

Yes I would charge rent and have an agreement in place if only a small amount to keep yourself safe and the property as yours. Please take advice from a solicitor.  You never know what  may happen and you don't want any dispute in relation to your home. Good luck xx