Splitting expenses when one partner has a house owned outright

[WoodchipNightmares]

We're in our early 30s, and DP and I would like to move in together. This would mean him moving into my home.

I am in the extraordinarily fortunate (but also sad) position that - due to my DM dying unexpectedly and leaving everything to me - I own my home outright. Obviously I have to pay out all the usual bills, repairs etc., but there's no mortgage.

DP is living in a rented flat, shared with a friend. He's not a particularly high earner (c. £20k/year) and getting on the housing ladder alone is something of a pipedream for him. I'm self employed and my income can fluctuate, but it's in the ballpark of £25-35k/year.

I'd expect bills to be split (50/50 or by earnings?) but I don't know what to do about the cost of housing itself. If he's there rent free is he a cocklodger? If I asked for rent would I be taking the piss? What if, in 10 years, the house needed something major doing to it like a new roof - should that be split?

No kids, and not planning them for health reasons, and neither of us is especially fussed about marriage.

I realised that 3rd page in when I got to your comment didn't even check dates 😂

I suggest splitting bills 50/50 and he pays for all the food. He isn’t paying rent, but is adding a little extra to your savings. The savings would go towards repairs to the house. Also see a solicitor to make sure you are protected from losing anything in the event of a split.

OP, there's alot of conflicting advice here. I wonder if it's worth posting in legal to see is a solicitor could help?

I think it depends on what you want your relationship to look like . If he has no interest in your home and you don't want him to have any decision making say then I wouldn't get involved in him paying rent. He can save that as his asset ,it is fair that he can build savings if he has no security through you living together. He should pay his way with bills etc. But I think getting legal advice is really sensible.

I wouldn’t charge him rent but would say bills should be 50:50. Taking into account some. Ills will go up so needs to be 50:50 of what they will be. Not what you currently pay.

Since he will have no rights over the house he will be able to increase his savings, which he will need to do since you can ask him to leave.

I also don’t understand anyone who would object to him being able to have savings. Who objects to their partner also benefiting from living in and having more disposable income, if it doesn’t come at a loss to themselves.

But no, he shouldn’t pay for any work in the house. You are straying into dangerous territory there.

Have a tenancy agreement drawn up by a solicitor and charge him half of what he previously paid in rent. This means he's saving half of his previously paid rent and you are gaining the same amount. Split bills according to earnings. Your bills will increase as council tax will be 25 percent more expensive for a start but they should not double. He will gain by paying a slightly lower split of bills. With money you gain from his rent keep it for your savings. You need to pay all the upkeep of the property. Don't let him do any maintenance work or contribute to the property then he can never have a claim on your property in the future. You will have savings you can use.

@Fangdango,

"Why should he pay rent when his contribution to bills covers the extra cost of him living with you? If you split, you still have your house. He shouldn't walk away with nothing".

He is gaining as at the moment he pays rent let's just say £500pcm. So by moving in with OP he's saving £6k per year. OP will be responsible for all repairs and maintenance on her property. If she splits bills according to earnings he saves more. OP would be finding him and it would make their relationship unequal.

If she gets a rental agreement drawn up to charge him half what his previous rent was plus bills in proportion to earnings he still gains from moving in with OP but she gains an almost equal amount, she will gain slightly less as paying out higher proportion of bills.

If they split up in future he has some savings he's gained by living with OP but she won't feel used if he leaves with massive savings he's gained from living in her to be with someone else.

Don't ask him for any contributions towards the upkeep or mantainance of the property such as floors, roof & kitchen. Otherwise, he will have a claim on the property, your responsibility as the owner is to replace the roof etc. He can pay towards the cost of living and bills only.

Charge him in the same way you would a flat mate or lodger and get paperwork drawn up. If he's not willing to do this then a) dump him or B) let your home through a agency and move in together to a rental property. This way he doesn't have an interest in the property.

Speak to a solicitor and protect your property particularly if this relationship could lead to marriage.

https://mercerslaw.co.uk/news/can-you-claim-interest-in-property-if-you-have-invested-in-improvements-but-are-not-the-legal-owner/#:~:text=The%20person%20claiming%20a%20share,of%20carrying%20out%20the%20works.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/relationship_breakdown/housing_rights_of_cohabiting_sole_homeowners/occupation_rights_if_one_partner_is_the_sole_owner

@WoodchipNightmares i have moved into my partners house. I bought a new build off plan so it’s only temporarily. His is mortgaged but it’s really small. I pay no rent to him. But…

I buy all the food and do most of the cooking, instead of bills. I put away £250 a month to be used for holidays and fun stuff together. He asked for this rather than rent. House repairs are his responsibility as it’s his property.

when mine is built he will rent out his house. He will pay half of the bills including food and he will contribute more money into a joint account for holidays etc. as way of rent. Repairs etc are my responsibility.

both houses are our savings and we both want security in property. When time is right we may sell both houses and buy together.

The paid off Mortgage is a red herring. Work out costs for all bills, food and a certain amount for savings to pay for holidays and treats etc then split percentage wise based on salary. You may be the higher earner now but you may not always be and this way it's fairer.

Lodgers generally pay less than renters. I would suggest 50:50 on bills and maybe 50% of his current rent as a contribution towards maintenance of the house. With luck, your relationship will go the distance, but if it doesn’t you do not want to lose out financially. A low rent helps show that he has no claim over your property.