Would you be happy with this rent split?

[Dustyspringfield10]

700 including bills for a one-bed flat. If one person pays 500 who is in full time employment, salary of 1200 per month. The other person isn't in work due to covid and pays 200 per month.
If the person unemployed looks for and finds a job they could split the rent 350 each way. Would you accept to pay 300 more per month than the unemployed person?

But, then again, is the 500 less than you would need to pay on your own? Maybe you are better off financially moving in together despite his lower contribution. I would be insisting he does everything in his power to get a job though.

But you can't move in and join forces as a couple, and have state welfare ignore that financially

I am only resentful because he's not trying hard to get a job and because he had the option of renting a room but didn't want to

Have you already signed a lease together? If you can, get out of living together, it doesn’t sound like the right time.

I am only resentful because he's not trying hard to get a job and because he had the option of renting a room but didn't want to

Then don’t do it?

@Dustyspringfield10

Its ridiculous,we aren't married, we don't have children together, we haven't lived together before, I refuse to be "required" to support him. I earn 1200 per month and have 350 monthly debt repayments coming out of that too, I am strapped for cash.

Then don't live with him.

If you live together you are counted as a couple with a household income for the sake of benefits.

You really shouldn’t do this - honestly it sounds doomed to failure

It's signed now sadly

Don't move in together. You're unhappy already about what this means

Its ridiculous,we aren't married, we don't have children together, we haven't lived together before, I refuse to be "required" to support him

Then don't live with him! you can't choose for the rules not to apply to you, it doesn't work that way. If you are a cohabiting couple, your income will reduce his benfits and you are expected to support him.
If you don't want that, don't live with him. It's not hard.

@Dustyspringfield10

I am only resentful because he's not trying hard to get a job and because he had the option of renting a room but didn't want to

Why would you want to live with someone who wasnt trying to get a job anyway?

Have you signed a joint tenancy?

Have you already moved in? If not speak to your landlord and see if they will release you from the tenancy. I'd rather new tenants said before they moved in rather than start fucking about with the rent once they'd moved in.

Then it’s too late; you’re jointly responsible.

@Dustyspringfield10

Its ridiculous,we aren't married, we don't have children together, we haven't lived together before, I refuse to be "required" to support him. I earn 1200 per month and have 350 monthly debt repayments coming out of that too, I am strapped for cash.

Then don’t live together! Live separately. Then you can pay for everything yourself while your partner spends most of his time there anyway most likely. Or you can move in together and his benefits will be cut because you are a couple living together and you have a wage. That’s the system.

I’m quite surprised by some of these responses. Have none of you ever had a partner on a significantly different salary? When DH and I got together we were on the same wage roughly. Split things equally. Then I changed careers and earned about £12k more than him so I paid more. Then he changed careers and I got ill and he covered everything until I got my business up and running. Now we have a business together. I work very part time and care for our twins and we both get the same amount of salary from it.

This is what being in a relationship is like surely? Bills should be proportionate to income otherwise don’t live together.

Why did you sign?

You’re resentful before you’ve even moved in together? This does not bode well for your relationship. I’d seriously reconsider moving in with him and probably the relationship tbh

How long is the lease for? I think you need to speak to the landlord, see if they'll release you from the contract (even if it costs you something). I they won't, you'll just have to suck it up for the year(?) and if it doesn't work out between you, put your notice in as soon as you can.

@Dustyspringfield10

I am only resentful because he's not trying hard to get a job and because he had the option of renting a room but didn't want to

Errrmm... Covid?? Having said that my brother just got a new job so there is stuff about. And I wouldn't want to rent in a houseshare with strangers mid pandemic

You sound a bit mean and resentful, but only you know what he's really like. If you lost your job and he worked full time would he step up to the plate?

I know a lot of 'takers' that aren't so quick to give. What's yours is mine and what's mine is my own attitude.

Is there a cooling off period on whatever you signed? Giving you a chance to re think your options?

You sound quite ignorant and rude tbh. People are tying to help you.

Why did you sign?

If you live together as a couple, you'll be obliged to support him and he'll probably lose a fairly large chunk of his benefits as he'll no longer be a single adult.

Speak to the letting agency/landlord and explain that there has been a change of circumstances and you are no longer in a position to take on the tenancy.

If you're lucky they'll just leave it. If you're unlucky you'll lose any deposit you've paid. It will limit your liability though.

Tbh he sounds like a waster and you sound bizarrely naive.

Why oh why does he get £300 a month to himself when you are carrying the load?

At the very least this should be £400/£300. He's hardly going to be motivated to find a job if he can sit at home all day and play with £300 a month after bills!

OK, can you contact the letting agency and see if they will let you cancel? If they had others interested they might be prepared to do that.

You also need to find out quickly how much he'll get from UC when living in a partnership. If its not enough, you'd be better off living in the flat alone until you can get out of the contract or he gets a job.

He should be trying to find solutions.

I’m not sure I’d continue the relationship to be honest. You don’t sound like you’re really that keen, a relationship is swings and roundabouts; they support you when you need it and you support them when they need it.