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Original poster

How much ‘lodge’ money is reasonable

18 replies

Skintymcskinty · 13/06/2023 14:46

I rent a house, lease and all bills in my name. Currently all household bills go out by DD and are around £1300 a month, this doesn’t include fuel, food or any other living expenses on top, or either mobile.
My partner moved in and pays £200 per month, am I unreasonable to think he should contribute a bit more than that?
I do have a teenager who is mainly resident at college so only here a few weekends/ odd weeks a year as also splits home time with dad. I claim a small percentage of bills as tax relief as working from home but that doesn’t massively affect the use of utilities, I’m not using a lot of extra electric or water for instance. Given all that I would have said that at least 1/4 towards bills ie £300/ £325 is more like it, given that I also do most of the food shopping although he will get top ups, pay for big shops for Christmas, family get togethers etc and often pays for eating out.
What is a reasonable amount/ percentage in ppl’s view?

OP posts:
WhineWhineWhineWINE · 13/06/2023 14:49

I'd have expected half, otherwise surely you're just subsidising him?

TrioofTrumps · 13/06/2023 14:51

Well I would expect him to pay half of everything. Maybe a little less when your dd is there, ie maybe not half the food that week.
Why did you/he decide £200 was enough?

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 13/06/2023 14:52

Half of all bills as it's a rented house, so £650, plus half of the food bill and any joint expenses. If you're feeling generous you could knock a few quid off for your DD, but not much. Maybe say £500 plus half the food bill

£200 is taking the piss.

Rollonannualeave · 13/06/2023 14:53

50 50. Don't let him take the piss!

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 13/06/2023 14:53

So he pays no rent, and only £200 towards bills? Whose idea was that?

I can understand no rent (so he has no hold on your home if it all goes tits up) but I'd be thinking open a joint account for bills, food, shared stuff and you each put in 50% to that. So more like £750/month.

I'm sure he wouldn't want to be seen as a cocklodger.

Whoopsi · 13/06/2023 14:57

How do your salaries compare?
How did you arrive at the £200?
is he ‘the one’?

WonderDays · 13/06/2023 15:00

£600 plus half the food.

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 13/06/2023 15:25

He should be paying half the rent, council tax, broadband and food bills then 80% of utility bills. The 20% is a nod to your child occasionally having free access to utilities when they're home.

Anything less and he's taking the absolute piss.

Original poster
Skintymcskinty · 13/06/2023 17:30

We earn similar amount, both self employed so can go up and down. He suggested that amount as that’s what he was paying his friend where he lodged before so I guess he thinks that should be enough. Said friend is very well off though and was prob happy with a token amount towards bills.
Thanks for all the input, need a conversation about upping it. I’m happy not to require half as not 100% sure how it will work out but will definitely say he needs to pay more than £200.

OP posts:
Clymene · 13/06/2023 17:32

He's a cock lodger

HopelessEstateAgents · 13/06/2023 17:33

He saw you coming OP. Or he's extremely thick.

Either way, you deserve better

WonderDays · 13/06/2023 17:50

Don’t negotiate with him, decide on an amount and tell him he needs to pay it on 1st of the month.

MojoJojo71 · 13/06/2023 18:03

He’s taking the piss. Why on Earth did you let him move in without sorting this out first? He’s a grown up in a relationship not a lodger

youveturnedupwelldone · 13/06/2023 18:24

Usually these low amounts towards housing costs are tied up with someone owning the house and therefore not wanting their new partner to potentially accrue a beneficial interest in the property by ostensibly paying towards the mortgage.

This obviously doesn't apply to renting.

The starting point with rent, utilities, internet, other housing necessities needs to be 50/50.

He also needs to contribute properly and regularly to the food budget - eating out is not part of the groceries budget and top up shops/Xmas shop do not make it equal.

He took the piss living with his friend and is now doing it to you. You say you're not sure if it will work out - use this as a litmus test, if he won't pay his way now you know where you stand.

YeOldeTriptoJ · 13/06/2023 18:46

He needs to pay 50/50 I mean he gets everything that he had as a lodger and his bed warm now! What were you thinking.

ArcticSkewer · 13/06/2023 18:50

He must be amazing in bed

justasking111 · 13/06/2023 18:55

The average cost of a lodger September 22 was £438 pcm. So I'd be looking at that plus 50/50 on food.

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