Three Girls In A Flat

[chrissa1]

My daughter is renting a flat in January with two other girls. The rent and utilities are being spilt 3 ways. Ok so far.

In June, one of the girl's boyfriend is moving in.

Do they split the rent 4 ways then, or is the boyfriend going to be expecting to pay half his girlfriend's share only?

[fliptheswitch]

I'm not sure legally, but if it were me, I'd expect it to be split four ways.
Regardless of where he's sleeping, he'l be living under the same roof and using the same gas/electric as everyone else.

[ladybird49]

That wouldnt be fair , 4 people in the flat so rent split 4 ways , hel be using the shower , washing machine etc wont he

[ummmm]

4 ways is just easier.

I suppose they could argue that it's a price per room...but the utilities definitely should be split 4 ways.

[chrissa1]

That's what I thought flip. Can they insist though?

[fliptheswitch]

They could, as a couple, but I don't think they'd have any legal rights to do so.
Tell your daughter to stand her ground! :-)

[fliptheswitch]

I meant they probably will, not "they could".. :)

[ummmm]

Who's name is on the tenancy agreement? What does it say about rent and utilities?

[fliptheswitch]

Actually, Ummmm makes a good point. Would this fall under "sub-letting", or is that something completely different??

[sunny-dave]

As a couple they will probably pinch the biggest bedroom, hog the kitchen, and expect two votes in the 'what to watch on TV poll' - so make the b*ggers pay two shares of the rent and bills.

Get it sorted before he moves in - once he's there it's all too late ...

[chrissa1]

I don't know what the terms of the lease are yet as they just saw the flat and decided to take it on Saturday.

Good point though.

[welshlibranr]

he should pay his share!......it's his moral duty!.....why should other hard upm students pay for him!........

[fliptheswitch]

Agree with Dave. Tell her to get it sorted before he gets his feet under the table! :-)

[ummmm]

Get it written into the tenancy agreement that rent and bills should be split equally between everyone who lives in the house.

[chrissa1]

Well said welshy. I'll get her to read these posts.

[sunny-dave]

Ah the days of shared houses ... I remember a **** so tight that he would wait for someone else to stick a quid in the immersion heater before sneaking in for a bath when their back was turned.

He also had very wandering fingers in the fridge - and an expression of hurt surprise when challenged. He eventually became known to the whole of the extended houshold as Mr "hey it was only a yogurt".

[welshlibranr]

chrissa, if he want to be there with your daughter, then the least he can do is to pay his way!........why should others pay for him!......no way!......he needs to realise that there is no way he's getting a free ride!...........

[bednobs]

if he is sharing her room, then i don't thnk the rent should be split 4 ways. However, the bills certainly should. you say " a flat" - how big is it going to be? I only ask cause if the other 2 get b/f's too and they re round it could be quite crowded - best to sort these things oiut way in advance. If the b/f is going to be (say) taking up room in the living room as well, maybe they should pay a bit extra

[chrissa1]

It is a big enough flat bednobs. two double bedrooms and a smaller room big enough for a double bed. My daughter's boyfriend will be staying sometimes but not living there. Thanks.

Lol sunny-dave.

[bednobs]

i wasn't thinking so much about the bedroom space, rather space in the communal areas. I lived in ahouse with 2 other girls and when all b/f were over, six people watching tv, or trying to cook their dinner was sa nightmare