In my situation, I paid half the bills and contributed to the additional cost in council tax. I did not contribute to the mortgage. You don’t think that’s fair?
Asking other halfs for 'rent'
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In my situation, I paid half the bills and contributed to the additional cost in council tax. I did not contribute to the mortgage. You don’t think that’s fair?
I moved in with my partner in less time than that. Not out of need, I just sort of stayed round and never left. Been together 10 years, very happy.
There’s no set of rules that dictates what’s suitable, everyone is an individual. I might advise a mate against, or ask if they’re absolutely sure, but saying it’s a ‘terrible idea’ isn’t exactly constructive. I’ve already seen people in this thread share a story of a similar situation and many years of marital bliss, it works out well for plenty of people.
Skillmister doesn't think that's fair.
That isn't what he said. He said:
"How is it a fair relationship to ask your partner to pay off half your mortgage and then to expect them to have no stake in the property?"
i.e. he's implying you should have a stake in the property if you have contributed towards the mortgage - you've stated you didn't contribute towards the mortgage so I'm not sure why you're quoting him to ask about fairness?
If that is your current arrangement then you already have a legal interest in the property and if you were to split up you would be entitled to a share if/when it is sold.
Unless you pay the money directly to the service provider (sky, leccy, gas, etc) or council then that is a meaningless distinction - once the money has entered your partners account it's not in any way marked as "this money is for the gas bill".
Look at it another way. Lets say you lived with your partner for 5 years and the whole time you *were* paying your partner a share of the mortgage (lets say 1/2). Then you split up and she kicks you out. You then say "I've been paying 1/2 the mortgage for 5 years so I'm entitled to a share in the property". If she was able to deny you this share simply by saying "actually he was just paying for food and utilities" then that wouldn't exactly be fair, would it?
you can put a description on the payments you're making and or have various e-mails/texts...
like if she's texted - "the gas bill is £84 each this quarter" and he's made a payment of £84 in the following days with the description "bills" or "gas bill" then I'd say it is pretty obvious that money was for the gas bill and not the mortgage
On the other hand if he's making a regular fixed payment with a description of "rent" then that might be a bit different - though if charging rent then it might be wise to have some sort of agreement written up.
Another poster made a post earlier in the thread clarifying the situation anyway and giving an example of the sort of situation where a partner might be more likely to have a claim - i.e. they've given up their job to raise the kids etc..etc..
That's not generally true. Only if it is explicitly stated they would have an interest in the property or if they missed opportunities etc due to living with you would they gain a stake. Why should they gain anything from the property if they aren't the ones taking any risk?
It *might* "help" but I don't think it would be cut-and-dried - it would probably be up to a court to decide. Also, £84 a quarter? I wish!
Aye - if you're paying rent it would best to have a proper rental contract written up as it gives both of you a load of legal protections. Though that would probably then affect her household insurance policy. Also, how that would work if you're clearly living together as a couple I don't know. IANAL
Thats more for how you might have a claim if you're *not* making a financial contribution. Or, rather, if you're making a non-financial contribution.
Explicitly stated where? In most cases couple agree these things verbally, in which case it would be down to who can convince the court. If you're making a regular "rent-like" payment to your partner then you have a pretty good case that you have been doing so with the understanding that it was a contribution to the mortgage.
Because they're paying for it. And, as they're not under a rental contract, they have no legal protections (i.e. could be kicked out of the house for any reason, without a court order, with no notice).[/QUOTE]
They aren't though, they are effectively a lodger. As long as they haven't made any significant contributions to the house, for renovations, extension etc it wouldn't get anywhere in court. If in doubt, just get an agreement drawn up at the start.
To be classed as a lodger they'd at least need their own room - not sharing one with the home-owner. Preferably a contract too. The courts generally aren't stupid, they can tell the difference between a lodger and a couple.
Also: paying, say, half the mortgage over a period of several years *is* making a significant contribution to the house.
It seems pretty clear cut to me if it is literally a payment towards a gas bill - assuming we are talking about a couple (boyfriend/girlfriend) with otherwise independent careers just living together for a short while (couple of years perhaps) then breaking up. Someone trying to claim ownership on the basis that they paid half the utility bills and paid for some shopping is a non starter AFAIK.
Well it might be worth me quoting this post form earlier in the thread - the below poster is a lawyer I believe:
@Street @dowie
I suppose I should properly add that a court (and it will have to get that far!) is going to use and apply its discretion to any particular facts - ultimately it will have to determine that it is just and fair to award a slice of the equity, using that discretion. Discretion can be far reaching.
For what it’s worth, I have had my girlfriend living with me as a lodger paying lodging fees of half rent and bills for more than 2 years and I’m still not even the slightest bit concerned, based on our circumstances (including that, IMO, she is in a far better position to save money living with me than if she was renting). However, if you want certainty, the best bet would be arranging a cohabitation agreement.
Finally, I should probably add that every statement I make on the forum may or may not be a total fabrication and you’d be an absolute doofus to rely on my opinions or any other boob’s opinions on the internet when it comes to legal (or medical) issues
I suppose I should properly add that a court (and it will have to get that far!) is going to use and apply its discretion to any particular facts - ultimately it will have to determine that it is just and fair to award a slice of the equity, using that discretion. Discretion can be far reaching.
For what it’s worth, I have had my girlfriend living with me as a lodger paying lodging fees of half rent and bills for more than 2 years and I’m still not even the slightest bit concerned, based on our circumstances (including that, IMO, she is in a far better position to save money living with me than if she was renting). However, if you want certainty, the best bet would be arranging a cohabitation agreement.
Finally, I should probably add that every statement I make on the forum may or may not be a total fabrication and you’d be an absolute doofus to rely on my opinions or any other boob’s opinions on the internet when it comes to legal (or medical) issues