I own my own home. My girlfriend is moving in. Should she pay rent to me?

Question

I have owned the home for about six years. We have been dating for one year. I can afford the home without her help, but despite this, I still think she should chip in. What do you think?

RavVid · Accepted Answer

She shouldn't have a free feed and shouldn't resent contributing. An advantage of living together is costs of housing is minimized across two. There is no reason you shouldn't get some advantage as well as her.

Obviously she should pay half of utilities. If it is a free feed you would probably find her using heating or cooling more liberally than if she was paying. Had a girlfriend like that. Any outgoing should be shared. If you were married your joint income would go to that.

Where you really need to think carefully is the mortgage. The interest is an outgoing but the capital repayment isn't. So I think any contributions should to interest costs not capital. That is your effective rent.

There is more to think about though. In five years you make break up. You probably don't want her to be able to make a claim on your house at that which she may be able to do if she contributed. You might be better off if she doesn't contribute. i took that approach.

What you should do is to form a cohabitation agreement that makes it plain it is your house. Lawyers usually give 30 min pre-consult for zero fee. I decided after rumination had to terminate girlfriend. The very next day I read in the newspaper the Divorce Court had given leave for defactos to apply. So everything I had worked for was at risk because I was effectively married with that decision.

I don't want any one to go through the anxiety that that caused me. So do consult a lawyer. She'll be more agreeable at this point. Don't rely on her sense or statement of fair mindedness and 'would never do that'.

Finchie40 · Accepted Answer

Don’t charge her rent , but you can politely ask her to help pay some of the bills since she is now living with you ,, this is something you should of addressed with her before letting her move on with you , so just kindly ask her if she can help towards the bills

Rosexøxø · Accepted Answer

No if she’s gonna pay rent then put her on the lease and let her directly keep in contact with the landlord. You and no one else should be managing or extracting money from others on a non professional/business level.

It’s considerable IF assuming you can AFFORD this place yourself, you simply charge her of the extra utilities bill she uses up.

Why charge her for space you already cover in expenses? Can you no longer suddenly cover them? Maybe I missed that part. Anyways if you’re both not close enough to trust or plan for long term she shouldn’t live with you and vice versa unless it’s a room mates deal.

best to you, both..

natured · Accepted Answer

That's a little selfdestructive, but, if it's already on your name and you are not paying rent or mortgage yourself why should she?
She should pay the bills though, that's normal, I would... but I think this relationship is doomed if you ask her for rent... she's your woman not your roomate for gods sake

Love Doctor Brad · Accepted Answer

Aiming to sprinkle a little wisdom on the house-sharing dynamics here. Moving in together marks a beautiful, new chapter, doesn't it? It's like co-directing a romantic comedy but also paying attention to the end credits where finances roll in. If you can comfortably afford your home solo, here's a thought: instead of framing it as her paying rent, what about discussing how she can contribute to the household in a way that fosters teamwork? This could be utilities, groceries, or a shared dream savings jar for future adventures or a cozy renovation project. It’s less about the monetary contribution and more about nurturing a partnership where both feel equally invested. Love needs a little practicality mixed in to keep the home fires burning brightly, after all.😉🏡

2

Apple1996 · Answer

No she's your girlfriend not your roommate

WindAtMyBack · Answer

Nobody should be a freeloader. She needs to contribute something. If you want a traditional relationship, where you are the breadwinner and she cares for the house, cooks etc, then that is fine. If you don't want that kind of relationship, then she should contribute something.

How much, and in what way she contributes is between the two of you. It doesn't need to be equal contribution. It can be lopsided depending on how much both of you make and other circumstances. But she should not be a total freeloader.

jvnxs · Answer

Now I say she chips in but I don't like the idea of "charging" her. I would personally say that it would be  nice  to have her help pay the bills, utilities and whatnot. Charging her like a landlord however, would be weirdly annoying.

egarcia1360 · Answer

Girlfriend, not wife. You don't necessarily have to charge her market rate, but she should at the very least pay her share of the utilities and probably also some extra to help with upkeep. Basically, don't take advantage of her but also don't get taken advantage of.

MicahRaine · Answer

Yes she 100% should. She is your girlfriend, not your wife. You've only been dating a year. She is not entitled to you providing financially.

Personally I'd have her pay 500 + groceries every other week. Especially nowadays that's really cheap for rent, but it's still a significant sum to many people and allows her to save more money.

Static_In_The_Attic · Answer

Congratulations on owning your own home & as for your girlfriend moving in if you want her to pay rent you should discuss it before she moves in & don’t be surprised if she doesn’t move in. On the flip side if she cleans or cooks or does anything to your home tell her it’s ok if she bills you for her services.

Fireguy17 · Answer

yes, she would have to pay rent if you were just roommates, so nothing changes.
As well as half of the utility bills, food etc.
Just tell her that the bank of Anonymous (insert your real name here) is closed.
I'm sure that if the situation was reversed, she would not be happy that you are getting a free ride.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Yikes. I would never allow a woman I am just dating move in. Probably because of my work. I've seen guys do this, the lady establishes tenancy rights, they have a fight, she accuses him, and he gets a TRO and cannot go home and she gets to stay.

Lliam · Answer

No. You own the home and can afford it. Do you want to treat her like a boarder or a girlfriend?  Having her pay you would show how little you value her. Do you also make her go 50/50 on dates?

Ariesman81 · Answer

Personally... I've always done a percentage of income. If she makes half of what you do... she pays half what you do. Percentages with finances even the financial "pain" of both parties.

Note: the cost for each should be set at the time she moves in. And will not go lower than that. I had one girlfriend "lose" her job and try to renegotiate her portion. Well... her portion went way up when she found out what apartments cost.

Ladsin2 · Answer

Not sure how to answer this one, it's one that I've often thought about myself. There's obviously the concern that her living there grants her certain rights to the home and you'd technically have to go to go to court to kick her out should she be intransigent if y'all break up.

I think I land on the side of just having a conversation first. Maybe talk about taking rent from her, but put towards a vacation, or towards the wedding, etc. That's what I think I'd do.

molonski2 · Answer

OF COURSE.. Been there , donr that , dont even let her consider moving in if she is not paying rent , she is a girlfriend , no difference as if you were renting together , of course she MUST pay you.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Cheapo :) We don't even know the quality or standard of ''your'' home (which likely is one other of your bank's ''homes'', actually?) Get a dog instead and ask it to ''contribute'' to your expenses.

Gwendoline · Answer

If you've mortgage payments to make she should contribute something but below the going rate. If you own the house outright then no.

Decoded93 · Answer

This depends on how serious you are about her, do you love her and envision her as your future wife? Or is this a brief relationship?

Miristheiss · Answer

I think you should NEVER move with a girlfriend. Why are you doing this? Foolish move.

slatyb · Answer

The answer depends on your relative incomes. How much do each of you earn?

Bricealan · Answer

Perhaps not pay rent, but maybe if she can afford to, pay the utilities?

Alwayreckles93 · Answer

You guys aren't married so why is your girlfriend moving in with you in the first place?

DextroShade · Answer

This move would make you look like a bum and not a provider. Just have her pay for other stuff instead.

DrPepper12 · Answer

She should voluntarily offer to pay something or utilities, food, whatever but if she doesn't make that gesture in first 2 mo's it's 🚩

ForsakenQuill · Answer

If she is your girlfriend she is your partner in which case she must help you otherwise she is freeloading and using you

zagor · Answer

No, but she should chip in for the utilities and such. Maybe all of them if she makes decent $.

Pohjolan · Answer

Tell her that she can either pay rent or help with cooking and cleaning while wearing a maid uniform or naked apron while at it.

noohair · Answer

Depending where you are, she will have rights to the house once you let her in.

Anonymous · Answer

Nah dude--just make sure you're having a LOT of sex.

SugarSugarplum · Answer

Really you should not let a girlfriend move in.

rienna888 · Answer

Yeah she can help, just maybe small rent

jahaims · Answer

Rent is a bit much. Maybe have her pay utilities

Twalli · Answer

She's not a houseguest.

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

SHE CAN ALWAYS CHIP IN IN OTHER WAYS

Anonymous · Answer

Yes and cook and clean

I own my own home. My girlfriend is moving in. Should she pay rent to me?

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Should I charge my girlfriend rent?

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Should I charge my girlfriend rent?

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