Housemate’s boyfriend moving in-split rent?

[Lampyshady]

I live in a flatshare with 3 others. One of the girls has a much bigger room and an en-suite and pays a bit more rent and the other 3 of us share a bathroom and pay a bit less. Girl with big room has asked if her boyfriend can move in and share her room for about 6 months, and said we’d split the bills by 5. We all said we’d think about it. He’s here a lot anyway and has been going through a very hard time and we get on well so it wouldn’t be so bad-and we’d still be sharing a bathroom between 3 so it wouldn’t add to bathroom waiting times.
We suggested that he should pay rent and the girlfriend said oh he’s going to pay half of my rent so it’s fair. I think this is unreasonable, since there will be 5 of us in the house/using the kitchen etc so I think the rent should be split by 5 and the rent should be lowered for the rest of us too as a result of having one more flatmate.
I think it’s unfair that they will get to live in a nice house, in a big room in an expensive city for half the market rate, with the convenience of having their partner with them, while the rest of us pay nearly double and have the inconvenience of living with more people.
Their argument is that the rent is per room and it is only 1 room they are renting so as long as that room is paid for it’s none of our business/their finances are up to them.
Who is being unreasonable? And is this even legal-we weren’t planning on telling the landlord he’s moved in because it’ll (probably) only be for a few months.

Your figures are very close to the ones I suggested. Worked out slightly differently but similar end result.

Reduce each rooms rent by £150 for the inconvenience. Boyfriend pays £600 per month

I don't think the rent should be split X 5. As he is sharing a room and she pays more to have the largest one. But bills should be shared equally

I’m going against the consensus here but honestly I don’t think the rent should be split 5 ways, they are right the rent is shared 4 ways with your friend paying slightly more already - why should he be subsidising your rent too?

Definitely needs to pay his way regarding bills and utilities which it sounds like he will be, I think that’s fair

Subletting is only allowed at the landlords discretion regardless of whether he pays half of her room or you split between 5 (latter is unreasonable imo since they are sharing a room, not building an extra room to occupy) And he’s paying utilities so no biggie.

This is why its cheaper to rent as couples, to expect them to essentially pay you lot for the privilege is just ridiculous. Either agree to it but be firm on ‘exit’ date, or just refuse because landlord won’t allow.

Tell them to watch Judge Judy . Rent no matter what should be split 5 ways
Keep us updated

@Callingallskeletons

I’m going against the consensus here but honestly I don’t think the rent should be split 5 ways, they are right the rent is shared 4 ways with your friend paying slightly more already - why should he be subsidising your rent too?

Definitely needs to pay his way regarding bills and utilities which it sounds like he will be, I think that’s fair

I agree with you.

You can't tell the landlord. Presumably you are friends and this will cause a breakdown in your friendship

Ive been in this situation more than once. It's a pain and you'll soon resent his arse on the sofa controlling the tv. Waking you up late at night. Using the kitchen, leaving his dirty plates lying around. Taking up space in the fridge etc

Youll feel like you're gate crashing their cosy nights in most evenings

Can you suggest that he moves in for 3 months and if he wants to stay beyond that, you review the circumstances and rent?

If they want to cohabit long term, they should just get their own place

I think I'd just say there doesn't seem much in it for you to offset having another person using the kitchen and living room and possibly wanting to use the bathroom if the other half of the couple is in the en suite, plus have their mates round, and that on balance you're happier with paying a bit more on the utilities and having a bit more space in the house. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it but I'd want to point out that unless he's going to stay in their room all day it does impact the rest of you and will change the dynamic.

Having been in a similar situation with a boyfriend we all knew and liked, I'd still be wary. That was for a fixed time only and had a natural end point but it still changed the vibe of the house having a couple there all the time rather than just when he stayed over.

And presumably you have one contract and it's not an HMO

@48sherbertdib nails it. I have been in these situations in shared housing in which one room becomes a couple by stealth. It is not just about dividing rooms, the use of shared areas totally changes. More importantly, the dynamic changes. Even if they are both lovely and reasonable people, there will be two of them against the rest. My experience is that unfortunately the loved up just moved in together people are not particularly rational and willing to see it from other's points of view. I think your housemate not considering splitting the rent in a fair way indicates this. It is not just about a room.
When it went well, sharing a house was fab. The thing that always caused tension was when the partner moved in- for a start when you agreed a house rental it was based on a certain number of people. It just tips things in my experience.

If she is subletting you could loose your deposit if you don’t inform the LL as it will say in your contract. He needs to be named on the contract and bills etc to be split clearly

@Lampyshady

I’m not sure about telling the landlord, will think about it. He never comes around (lives abroad mostly) and I’m fairly sure he’d never find out so don’t want to make things awkward for my friends by telling him. When there’s no way to prove that he’s not just staying over every night and paying her money for something else (not like the landlord will check their bank statements). He was planning on leaving some stuff at his parents and having that as his address for the bank etc. so I’m not sure if that technically breaks the tenancy or not-is there an official difference between staying somewhere every night and giving your girlfriend (or friends if we get him to contribute to us too) some money, and subletting?

If you have ever got any emergencies and the landlord would find out that way you (including LL) could be in a lot of trouble. You should ofcourse inform your housemates before telling, but your LL should absolutely know how many people are living in the unit.

It’s weird that they aren’t suggesting a rent reduction for the rest of you to reflect the fact that there’s another person in the common areas. Or is he going to hide in the bedroom the whole time waiting to be brought food? 🤣

I would say no. Once he is in, you will struggle to get him out.

It seems your flatmate views her partner moving in as him only being in her space. The reality is you would be sharing the kitchen and lounge with an extra person. He will use water facilities, washing machine, oven etc. You mention she has an ensuite but I am sure on occasions she is using it, he will happily make use of your shared bathroom.

The only person gaining from this arrangement is him (free accomodation) and her (sex on tap).

One of my friend's was in a house share many moons ago and one of her flatmate's boyfriend stayed over several times a week. He was loud, hung out with her in the communal lounge and kitchen as though it was their home only. Also he was studying so when she left for work in the mornings, he would lay in and leave around midday - piss take. Eventually she found another place to stay.

By all means, let the landlord know. I wouldn't "tell" him about it, I'd ask him about it. "Can we have another person move in? WIll it affect the rent? Does he need to be on the rental agreement?" Then go from there.

I agree the bills should be spilt 5 ways as you all use heating, water etc but no I don't think the rent should change. As you say it has no impact on bathroom etc so I do think it should be spilt 5 ways

You're being foolish to let this happen. Say no. It will change the dynamic ... What if they have an argument. Nope. No. Don't do it!

Had the EXACT same situation at Uni. We said no. It caused a big row. At the end of the year, she moved out and we didn't see each other again. I still think we made the right decision.

As it turns out, he was a total idiot and they broke up anyway 🤷🏼‍♀️

Definitely tell the landlord. It'll end in tears otherwise! [Flowers]

Not sure your arithmetic adds up here?

If you don't tell your landlord, be prepared to lose your deposit. Landlords find out things even if you don't tell. For example, we have lots of student flats in our block that are rented out like yours. Then they move a boyfriend or girlfriend in which impacts on foot travel/noise/rubbish. So because I don't like this and it impacts on the enjoyment of my home, I regularly let landlords know who does this and they lose their deposit. Start off life being dishonest, carry on being dishonest. Face the consequences. There is also an issue if the local authority licences the flat for 4 people and then there are 5. Landlord loses his licence, building insurance can be declared void. So not a rent issue, really an honesty, being grown up issue.

Extra person using utilities so at the very least he should pay his share of those and something for inconvenience of an extra person using any communal areas.

Yes, landlord has to know coz he'll need to be added to the tenancy agreement, insurance etc for the duration of his stay.

You should say no. It will change the dynamic of the home.

There is a big difference between 3 flat mates and 4 flat mates.

More noise, more mess, more visitors, more stuff, more bodies moving about.

Presumably he won't be staying in the bedroom 24/7 but will want use of the common areas as well?

The fair way is to allocate bedroom vs common area space respectively. He can split the bedroom 50/50 with his partner, but he should be paying an equal share for the use of the common areas and furniture along with the rest of you.