partner moving in

[Someguy1988]

Hi all. I'm going to ask my girlfriend to move win with me shortly and I have a question about finances.
My first idea was that she would pay half of my bills inc mortgage.
If she pays towards the mortgage (bearing in mind I'll be asking for cash and not bank transfers) will she have an "interest" in the property?
If things broke down I wouldn't want her to be able to claim half of the property as my mum has an investment here too.
I'd be asking her for £280pcm

OP, if you and your girlfriend are moving in together you need to get an agreement in place which sets out the arrangement, who pays what (bills, mortgage, shopping etc), your mother's interest in the property, what happens if you split up, etc, and agree to review it if circumstances change, eg one of you gets a new job, loses a job, you have a child together, whatever. What is fair depends on what each of you earns, imho. There are templates available. If you are committing to each other it would also do no harm to build in some savings for your shared future.

These are slightly difficult conversations but it's an investment in being able to talk about difficult stuff and in not arguing about money in the future, so it's loving of you to think it through, honestly.

. The rent on half a studio flat in an area where it only costs 115 K should be really low, like 50 quid a month.

Not convinced, kick ass. Rents round here on flats worth 90 k are in the region of £500 per month.

Agreed Guyropes, a studio flat in our area that cost around 115k would let out for £450-£500 a month plus bills on top, so probably £350 each in total if shared. Where did £50 come from?!

Even a room in a shared house would be around £350 per month.

Yes, but the gf isn't even getting a room, let alone sharing a lounge and kitchen. She'll be getting half a bed and some space to put clothes. If she's really lucky, there may be a sofa with enough space for 2 of them, as well as the bed. If you rent a room in a flat you probably get around 150 sq. ft. Of private space. This gf will be getting none at all. That has absolutely no market value.

Some people have suggested no rent, just cover half the costs. The 50 quid was meant as a peppercorn rent as the bf will be losing his privacy and some wardrobe space, plus she covers costs of bills etc.

I know the point of living together is more about the relationship than the money (one hopes) but he is worried about his financial investment. She should also be worried about the long term implications for her finances.

I think half all bills apart from the mortgage would be fair. She can't expect to live there free of charge. And I totally agree that if this had been asked by a woman then cries of "cocklodger" would fill the thread. Seen it several times in MN.

Moving into a studio apartment as a couple is INTENSE. There is no privacy. You have to get up at the same time, go to bed at the same time, listen to the same music, watch the same thing on TV. if one of you isn't tired and wants to watch TV this massively disturbs the other person trying to sleep.

Too stressful for a newish relationship.

Kickass, The 50 quid was meant as a peppercorn rent
That's a much more appropriate rationale. Claiming that £50 has any basis In Market value is a red herring.