Am I paying too much?

Bardsley123

I recently moved in with my partner and have been paying rent/board for the past six months. A colleague suggested I review what I’m contributing, as it might be higher than expected considering everything else I pay for in the household.

For context: my partner earns about £10k more per year than I do. I currently pay £650 per month towards rent/board. In addition to that, I pay half of the gas and electricity bills, my own council tax, and half of the food costs. I also buy all the household cleaning products and toiletries. We don’t have satellite TV — we use Freeview and streaming services (Prime, Netflix, Disney+, etc.), all of which I pay for myself.

When I add everything up, I’m paying close to £1,100 a month just to live in a house that I have no legal rights to. 

The mortgage on the property is around £900 per month. My partner covers the water, internet, and home/contents insurance, which I don’t contribute to.

I’m just wondering whether my colleague has a point — am I paying more than seems fair? Do others feel I might be being a bit of a pushover with my monthly contributions?

Keep_pedalling

You partner is foolish if he is making you contribute to his mortgage costs as this will give you the ability to claim a beneficial interest in the house if you split up and I would  point that out to them.

Bardsley123

Keep_pedalling said:

You partner is foolish if he is making you contribute to his mortgage costs as this will give you the ability to claim a beneficial interest in the house if you split up and I would  point that out to them.

I’ve read a bit about the idea of beneficial interest when someone contributes towards their partner’s mortgage. In my situation, I transfer a fixed amount each month as “rent/board,” and there’s no mention of the mortgage attached to the payment. We also don’t have anything written down — it’s all based on a verbal agreement. Because of that, I’m unsure whether what I pay could legally be viewed as contributing to the property’s equity. For all I know, he may be using my contribution for general household expenses rather than the mortgage itself.

I’m just trying to understand the legal side more clearly, so any clarification or insight from those with experience would be really appreciated.

MeteredOut

Who pays for the TV licence?

Seriously though, the time to ask these questions is before moving it.

But, based on what you're saying, it sounds like your partner is getting a good deal. How much are his bills each month on top of the mortgage?

Brie

The two of you could sit down and make a list of all the household expenses - all bills, including mortgage, food etc.  And then compare last year's taxable income.  And then pro rata the amounts you both pay based on your income.  That would be completely fair.  Maybe have a joint account for this to keep things completely open.

But if you are a "partner" you are paying towards everything to do with the upkeep of the place.  Unlike if you were a mere lodger.  What that entitles to you legally is a bit hazy.

itsthelittlethings

When you say you pay your own council tax do you mean you pay half the council tax?

Baldytyke88

It does depend on the cost of housing in your area. £1,100 a month would pay for the rent of a two bedroomed house in my area, it would cost £550 as a lodger.

So it could be argued that you are contributing to his mortgage. Google how much a room would cost in your area  on Spare room.com?

MikeJXE

You should move out 

The questions of doubt you are needing to ask make it inevitable at some point in the future 

flaneurs_lobster

MikeJXE said:

You should move out 

The questions of doubt you are needing to ask make it inevitable at some point in the future 

Agreed, not so much the questions you ask which are eminently sensible, but the fact you ask it of a bunch of strangers on the internet rather than your partner.

swingaloo

I would be quite naffed off if I thought my 'partner' was discussing our finances with a colleague instead of me.

Could you rent somewhere on your own for £650 bearing in mind that if you did you would also have to pay all the utilities etc on top.

sheramber

What ‘board’ is included in the rent and board payment?