Finance split: moving in together, no kids, not married

[MNisMyGuiltyPleasure]

My OH and I have been together for two years and are talking about moving in together in a year or so. We are both in our forties, and very lucky to both be mortgage free. We are also childfree and not looking to get married. The (loose) plan is currently for my OH to move in with me as I live near the coast and we'd rather live (and grow old) here than in London, where he lives. He would keep his house that we'd use as a London base when we want to stay there. I work from home (travel a few times a year) and he'd be retired. I'm happy to keep on working for another ten years or so because I absolutely love my job. I can also travel for holidays pretty much whenever, because I have a lot of flexibility when it comes to my job.

We are wondering how to best share bills, etc. There would be no mortgage, just house utility bills, which we'd be happy to split 50/50 (we are fairly equal in terms of financial 'comfort'). He offered to take care of any DYI jobs (he's quite handy) that would come up in my house, as I said I'm not sure it'd be fair of me to ask for rent money when I don't have a mortgage.

When I was married, we shared all costs 50/50 but the house belonged to us both. I'm not sure how to approach things if he moves into my house.

Any suggestions please? Thank you.

Why don't you have a joint account where you each put in say 1.5 times your share of the bills, so that there's a slush fund for repairs on your home? It seems only fair he should contribute to those repairs if he's living with you. Then you could each have your own account for the rest.

Isn't he going to be bored if he's retiring so young and you're still working?

@ICanHideButICantRun But would it be fair to have him pay towards the repairs when he doesn't own the house? I'm so concerned about coming across as grabby!

As for bored, he's already involved with a couple of animal charities so he'd do the same here but more hours. He is also really into fishing so he'd probably go off for a day or two a week doing that. He's always complaining he doesn't have time to do all the things he wants to do.

It makes sense that there's spare money for household items such as the washing machine if both of you are using it. If you are rarely at his house, that's different.

It's not a matter of being grabby. He's living in your house and there will be wear and tear as a result.

I suppose it depends on how much time you'd spend in his London home. Would he consider renting it out?

I think you should share the utilities for each property and general wear and tear should be split equally between you for both properties. Eg new washing machine, kettle, redecorating.

you should each pay for the major works for your own properties eg new windows /roof. Etc

In your situation I would suggest a joint account with all bills and utilities for both properties coming from it as you will both benefit from both properties. I would also suggest as someone else has that you both put more that is needed into joint account and share the financial cost of any adhoc things....decorating, furniture, washing machine etc.

I like this idea - I hadn't thought about his property because we'd probably only be there a weekend or two a month tops. But it makes sense. Thank you.

As for the washing machine, etc, good point too, @ICanHideButICantRun - I was thinking about the roof, or other stuff like that, but of course with another person here the appliances would get more use.

Great input so far - thank you!