Should My Partner Charge Me Rent?

[Tablaterenata]

I sold my house and moved in with a lady friend with the intention of buying a house together 50/50, no mortgage required. We each contribute 50% to the costs of living in her house. I do most of the cooking and cleaning. We have failed to find anything to buy together that either we both like or is the right price. She is now saying I am living with her for free, and she wants rent, even though she owns her house outright and has no mortgage. Has she got the right to treat me like a tenant?

[Maydup]

She has the right to of course, but whether its best for the relationship is another matter. Buy her a bunch of flowers, see if that helps!

[Baldric]

///We each contribute 50% to the costs of living in her house. I do most of the cooking and cleaning.///
Sounds like she's onto a good thing, I'd think seriously about my future if I were you.

[Old_Geezer]

Financial arrangements between the two of you are for you both to agree.

I can see that she might feel she's paying the mortgage and you're not having to contribute; but on the other hand your wealth is earning a pittance whilst the value of her property is holding steady. I think you both should discuss what's fair and come to an agreement.

Of course if you could find a place to joint purchase then this niggle goes away.

[hc4361]

She may be frightened of you gaining a beneficial interest in her house without any financial input in to the bricks and mortar. After all, you'd have to pay bills wherever you live.
She may be resentful that you (presumably) have a big stash of cash from the sale of your house whilst enjoying the benefits of hers. If you two split up in two years time you'll have saved a deal of money in rent and still have your lump sum and maybe some interest.
She may be resentful and believe she is supporting you, even though you pay towards the living costs.

You need to talk to her and find out her motivation for wanting rent. She may be happier if you draw up a legally binding contract that states you will not make any claim in the event of a split.

[hc4361]

Got to laugh at Baldric, don't know how she's on to a good thing.

[EDDIE51]

''We have failed to find anything to buy together that we both like''
Sorry but is it a good idea to live with someone as 'partner' when you are so different in outlook? Then she wants to treat you as a tenant and pay rent?
If I were you I would be looking for somewhere else to live!

[Togo]

If you are indeed contributing to 50% of the cost of running a home, and doing most of the cooking and cleaning, your lady friend does not value your relationship to be above her altruistic tendencies. You have a big decision to consider. Once you start using your equity to "pay her rent" is she liable to ever agree on a suitable joint ownership property? Why would she? You may be better quietly finding somewhere that you alone can afford to rent or buy, and when your pieces are positioned, say I think it is for the best. Can she afford to maintain her current property unaided? It is almost a truism that 2 can live as cheaply as 1 ,but only when any burden is equal.

[Baldric]

///Got to laugh at Baldric, don't know how she's on to a good thing.///

It doesn't sound as if she has a mortgage, he pays 50% of the household expenses and does the cooking/cleaning, of course she's onto a good thing.

[mastercraft]

I'd run a mile!

[hc4361]

Another solution could be that you buy a half share of her house at current market value, if you are happy to carry on living there.

[Cloverjo]

A previous boyfriend asked me to pay half of the rent on the flat we were living in, even though his parents were paying the rent and he got Housing Benefit (unbeknown to them).

It doesn't sound as if this is a good basis for a relationship, Tabla. "Living with her for free"? You are supposed to be living together. If she wants rent paid she should have got a lodger.

[lorryB]

Sounds like you are onto a good thing. If you lived together in a rental you'd both pay 50/50 thoward the rent. If you lived alone you'd have to pay rent and do all your cooking and cleaning. If you do start paying rent ask her about getting your name on the deeds.

[mastercraft]

Run... Run faster!

If you two love each other, and are working towards a goal that you both want, how on earth can you think that greed is acceptable?