Other half paying me rent, should I count it as investment in the property?

Ken2000

My partner moved into my house a year ago and since then, she's been paying me rent. I don't want her to feel that she's just boosting my bank balance and would like to move forward financially a bit more as a team. Should I or could I suggest that her rent up to now be counted as investing into the house? What other fair and unifying options are there? 

silvercar

She saves the rent money in a separate account. If in the future you buy together, that goes toward the deposit. If you split that money so hers to set herself up independently.

sourpuss2021

If you’re not married, better to spend the rent money on holidays and meals out.  Don’t muddy the water by letting her think she is buying a share in your property when you have not yet made that commitment.

ThisIsWeird

I think as above, Ken. 'Rent' implies an amount above the essential living costs.

Keep things simple, and keep 'rent' out of it.

Instead, split your living bills 50:50 (or perhaps tweak either way if you both agree, say if one earns signif more than the other) - food, energy, CT, broadband, etc. - and any balance from what was the 'rent' sum, your partner instead keeps in their own account, ideally a separate one, but that's their call.

You should both be financially better off from this simple and fair arrangement, without you 'making' anything extra out of it.

Even if the 'rent' amount wasn't high, and perhaps actually the same or even less than the new 'half the living costs' amount, call it the latter - it just sounds better! "Let's split the living costs 50:50, and anything you save from not having to pay rent for your own place, perhaps put into an 'our future' account - towards a bigger house later on?"

Until you are 'permanent', and have a joint interest in the house,  I don't think she should be contributing anything specifically towards your property.

If this works out and you get married - good luck, I hope it works out - then it's moot. But if it doesn't work out, then hopefully she will at least have saved a bit over the time which will help her start off with her next place, and she won't actually have given you anything. 

And, if it doesn't work out, hopefully at least you'll both be able to say, "Shame it didn't work, it was good while it lasted, all the best..." without you having any financial guilt to add to it, or her feeling badly done by.

gwynlas

If you call it rent it implies she's got the same terms and conditions  as a lodger. If she contributes thousehold expenses and food you are living as a couple with no legal committment either way. Why would you want her to invest in your home unless you plan to get married in which case she would be recognised anyway? Have you discussed your relationship moving forward with her rather than a bunch of strangers online? If you have  property you should at least have made a will as fatal accidents happen this can be done in anticipation of marriage.