Am I paying too much?

Baldytyke88

swingaloo said:

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.

As a lodger, utilities are normally included in the price, at £650 that would be a top price in my area.

ian1246

He's fleecing you I'm afraid.

If ever I get a partner to live in my house, the only contribution I'd expect from them is half the utility costs and food costs. The mortgage & insurance costs? All mine to bare alone - because the house is ultimately mine with the associated costs to be borne by me - its also my ultimate security (having come out of the turbulence of a divorce!) and one day, hopefully not for many many many years to come, my son's inheritance. 

But I'd also hope that by doing this - by my partner having minimal overheads - it would allow any partner to be able to build up their own pot of savings as a safety net in-case our relationship ever failed - and if the relationship lasted - to one day be able to be financially equal to myself and we could buy a nicer property together as tenants in common. I certainly wouldn't be expecting a newish partner to be contributing to my mortgage or paying board / rent.

But getting you to pay 2/3's of his mortgage costs, cover half the utilities and half the food costs, whilst also forking out for the expensive cleaning costs? Your getting financially exploited.

kimwp

ian1246 said:

He's fleecing you I'm afraid.

If ever I get a partner to live in my house, the only contribution I'd expect from them is half the utility costs and food costs. The mortgage & insurance costs? All mine to bare alone - because the house is ultimately mine with the associated costs to be borne by me - its also my ultimate security (having come out of the turbulence of a divorce!) and one day, hopefully not for many many many years to come, my son's inheritance. 

But I'd also hope that by doing this - by my partner having minimal overheads - it would allow any partner to be able to build up their own pot of savings as a safety net in-case our relationship ever failed - and if the relationship lasted - to one day be able to be financially equal to myself and we could buy a nicer property together as tenants in common. I certainly wouldn't be expecting a newish partner to be contributing to my mortgage or paying board / rent.

But getting you to pay 2/3's of his mortgage costs, cover half the utilities and half the food costs, whilst also forking out for the expensive cleaning costs? Your getting financially exploited.

Fully agree with this.

Emmia

Really you should be paying additional costs, so the 25% your partner loses in the single person council tax discount by you living there, plus say half of the consumables like gas, electricity, water, groceries. 

The internet/TV packages should also be shared 50/50. 

Your "rent" should be saved so you can move out quickly if it all goes a bit south.

elsien

I’m sure there was another thread here recently where the OP was lambasted for suggesting the partner moving in pay more towards housing costs.

FrugaiMacDugal

He's quids in all round.

You said. 'I also buy all the household cleaning products and toiletries', did he not usually buy these items, toilet paper?

You should only pay the 25% council tax that he lost, he was then paying 75%, he's now only paying 50%, so making 25% off you there.

Has he even informed the council about the change? 

Keep_pedalling

Bardsley123 said:

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.

It’s quite simple really if you are paying more than half of the household expenses then you are contributing to the mortgage. You are a partner not a lodger so rent should not come into it. 

tacpot12

Keep_pedalling said:

Bardsley123 said:

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.

It’s quite simple really if you are paying more than half of the household expenses then you are contributing to the mortgage. You are a partner not a lodger so rent should not come into it. 

While I understand the sentiment of this statement, I don't think this is quite correct. I am in the situation described by the OP, but I pay my partner 'rent' to live in her house because I don't think anyone can expect to live somewhere without paying something. My partner doesnt have a mortgage, and I agreed when I moved in that I would never make a claim for a beneficial interest in her house. We split all our joint living costs as equally as we can. 

Our living costs are about £1,200 including food. My partner pays about £900 of these, and I pay about £300 of these, so I also pay her £300 a month to balance these up. We also have a spreadsheet we use to settle up ad-hoc shared costs each month, e.g. if I put fuel in the car, this cost goes on the spreadsheet, and if she pays a vets bill, this cost goes on the spreadsheet, and at the end of the month we settle up; this might require me to pay her something or her to pay me something.

itsthelittlethings

tacpot12 said:

Keep_pedalling said:

Bardsley123 said:

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.

It’s quite simple really if you are paying more than half of the household expenses then you are contributing to the mortgage. You are a partner not a lodger so rent should not come into it. 

While I understand the sentiment of this statement, I don't think this is quite correct. I am in the situation described by the OP, but I pay my partner 'rent' to live in her house because I don't think anyone can expect to live somewhere without paying something. My partner doesnt have a mortgage, and I agreed when I moved in that I would never make a claim for a beneficial interest in her house. We split all our joint living costs as equally as we can. 

Our living costs are about £1,200 including food. My partner pays about £900 of these, and I pay about £300 of these, so I also pay her £300 a month to balance these up. We also have a spreadsheet we use to settle up ad-hoc shared costs each month, e.g. if I put fuel in the car, this cost goes on the spreadsheet, and if she pays a vets bill, this cost goes on the spreadsheet, and at the end of the month we settle up; this might require me to pay her something or her to pay me something.

It doesn’t seem you do pay rent, you pay half of living costs.

Baldytyke88

tacpot12 said:

Our living costs are about £1,200 including food. My partner pays about £900 of these, and I pay about £300 of these, so I also pay her £300 a month to balance these up. We also have a spreadsheet we use to settle up ad-hoc shared costs each month, e.g. if I put fuel in the car, this cost goes on the spreadsheet, and if she pays a vets bill, this cost goes on the spreadsheet, and at the end of the month we settle up; this might require me to pay her something or her to pay me something.

I would say £600 is a little high, but ok. My daughter pays me £200 per month, if I got a lodger I may charge double that and make a profit.