Partner suggested a joint account for bills, but is now struggling with the loss of a sense of contr

badger09

ZeroSum said:

The whole things moot anyway since you can't switch sole accounts into a joint one.

Some banks also require you to have a sole account first before being able to have a joint account.

Personally I'd just open a joint bills account (probably santander since you get the cashback although the new one isn't as lucrative as the 123 accounts). If any banks offer a referral payment (Co op & chase have previously done this) maybe try that for partner to open a new account to earn a few quid as a starter.

BIB
You can switch 2 sole accounts into a joint one. 

What you can‘t do is switch a joint account into a sole account. 

Rob5342

badger09 said:

ZeroSum said:

The whole things moot anyway since you can't switch sole accounts into a joint one.

Some banks also require you to have a sole account first before being able to have a joint account.

Personally I'd just open a joint bills account (probably santander since you get the cashback although the new one isn't as lucrative as the 123 accounts). If any banks offer a referral payment (Co op & chase have previously done this) maybe try that for partner to open a new account to earn a few quid as a starter.

BIB
You can switch 2 sole accounts into a joint one. 

What you can‘t do is switch a joint account into a sole account. 

I can confirm this as I switched a sole Halifax account I had into our joint Monzo account. It was an old account I never used and switching it in the Monzo app it was easier than writing to Halifax to ask them to close it.

purpl3sky

Thanks all.

We are both a little nervous about having a joint account TBF. 

I have been screwed over in the past by a romantic partner, so this is a big step for me too. It just feels so different this time. 

This man is in no way mercenary. He's sweet and supports me virtually unconditionally. 

I will be thinking about how we can do this in a way that suits both of us. And I am looking (at his request) for a 0% balance transfer card. 

Slinky

Going back to your original point, what about opening a joint account with his original bank, and then switching the joint account for the bonus?

xylophone

The whole things moot anyway since you can't switch sole accounts into a joint one.

https://www.ulsterbank.co.uk/current-accounts/joint-account.html

To make an account joint you will be required to open one or have one of the following accounts in your sole name and then request to add someone

Ulster Bank Select - our basic everyday banking account with the features you'd expect from a standard account, and no fee. 

Premier bank accounts - Private Current Account, these accounts provide benefits for higher net worth customers to help you get the most from your finances

Student and Adapt (child) accounts are sole ownership accounts only, we are therefore unable to make these joint.

Katiehound

I think the most sensible way has already been suggested: keep existing accounts, open a joint one  and use that for outgoings such as council tax, water etc. where you contribute equally.

I know of two marriages that went to the wall due to money issues. One was when the husband always bought himself 'boys toys' and then got his parents to fund his debts as he never had any money. The wife paid all the bills, he contributed zilch. They were both working full time. 
In the end she wanted out.

In the other marriage there were three children. I don't know the specifics but I know that money (or lack of) was the route to divorce:  he certainly would have had a well paid job.

Some folk seem to let money slip through their fingers, a friend of mine was paid more than me but by the end of the month she had an empty purse

Perhaps some financial education would help both of you?
6  x 2 hour sessions- free. looks like the first 3 sessions for sure would be interesting
with MSE Academy of Money & Open University

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=100872
The sessions are:

1. Making good spending decisions
2. Budgeting and taxation
3. Borrowing money
4. Understanding mortgages
5. Saving and investing
6. Planning for retirement