Moving in with girlfriend ,how does it work money wise?

LegacyUser

I've rented flats and bedsits on my own. And I've shared with housemates before.

And now I've built my own house on a family site, my proudest achievement, I drew the plans and worked evenings and weekends to get it done
No, it isn't a McMansion but it's a great site and something I've wanted to do so I was a child on this farm. One my life dreams achieved and with help from my Dad it realy didn't cost that much, mortgage is very affordable.

Now I commute to the nearest city for work, I'm in North Tipp and Limerick isn't far at all, a short commute on a great road.

I was renting in Limerick with a mate. My girlfriend also lived in Limerick. We didn't live together but tbh I was around her place two nights a week and she was around in my gaff about two nights a week also.

We had a chat and we've decided to move in together to my house.
Will we get married some day? Who knows, it may well happen but we will see

Now how does money work? I would think she pays something to the house. But what if she pays half the mortgage, we break up in a few years and I face a legal claim or lose my house if I don't pay compensation?
Or does she live rent free? Or do I need to get some contract signed, but wow that would seem cold and clinical!
Or maybe she doesn't pay rent but sorts the bills and such. We pay for water in a rural area and then the usual bills.

I'm sure someone has been in this situation before, what happens when you partner moves into your home?

helimachoptor

Solicitor....

seamus

proundhomeowner wrote: »

But what if she pays half the mortgage, we break up in a few years and I face a legal claim or lose my house if I don't pay compensation?

Unless she's a signatory to the mortgage, then it's irrelevant really if she pays half of the mortgage. She will not have a claim to the house if she moves out. The civil partnership bill might frustrate this somewhat though.

Or does she live rent free? Or do I need to get some contract signed, but wow that would seem cold and clinical!

That's up to you. Rent doesn't have to be cold and clinical and since she'll be living in your home, normal tenancy law does not apply. A simple informal agreement that she pays X per month in rent is sufficient. If she gives you the maximum amount under the rent-a-room scheme, you pay not tax and she can claim rent relief on that amount. win-win.

Or maybe she doesn't pay rent but sorts the bills and such. We pay for water in a rural area and then the usual bills.

Depending on your income levels, I would say that she should pay a certain amount of rent and half of the bills. If she's earning way less than you, then maybe you look after the mortgage and she splits the bills.

You don't need a solicitor to move in with your girlfriend.

[Edit, actually I spoke too soon on that. The Civil Partnership bill makes it possible for her to register your civil partnership against the deeds of your house. I've no idea what implications this has. It may only apply to succession (i.e. if you die) or it may give her a claim to your house after 2 years. A quick chat with a solicitor may be no harm.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Civil partnership bill was such a joke.

They've basically gone and hassled all of society so they could pretend it wasn't a bill to give homosexuals some measly rights.

Sorry to vent on your thread.

Anyway, I would suggest she should pay 1/3 of the monthly mortgage figure as rent and 1/2 the bills. Renting it would be 50/50 but seeing as you get to keep the house it is only fair you pay a bit more.

Acoshla

I moved into my boyfriend's house, he pays his mortgage, I pay him rent like I would be if I wasn't living with him. We split most bills, we are very landlord/renting about some things, for example if something needs to be fixed in the house like plumbing etc he pays for it, I own no part of the house so I don't have to pay for it's maintenance.

Then if it's something like a new table we go halves, generally because things like that are my idea to change, and technically I could still take it with me if I upped and left in the morning.

Can't she pay you rent just like she's paying rent now anyway?

John Mason

my boy moved into my house, he pays a set amount each month which includes bills.

i pay all maintenance and diy costs, we split the food bills and general living expenses.

tenchi-fan

In my opinion.. rent at market rate (possibly under the rent a room scheme) and split bills down the middle. there's no reason why she should take on half your mortgage repayments.

tinkerbell

Exactly like other posters have said - get the market rent amount and split it in half. Pretend that you are a landlord and she's just a normal tenant. She pays rent and her share of the bills. Things like maintenance, etc. would need to come out of your pocket.

Oh and for god's sake, protect yourself! Talk to a solicitor, make sure that she has no claim on your house, because if things don't work out, with that civil partnership bill, she could try and get an entitlement to your house. So make sure you go to a solicitor. Protect your assets first and foremost, that is the most important thing.

CathyMoran

Do protect your interests - legal advice is no harm.

LegacyUser

Would you not reconsider the whole moving-in thing? If you're not sure yet about getting married, things could become v awkward if/when you split up. Why not continue as ye are, here spending 2-3nights at your place,& vice versa? You both keep your independence, & things are a lot clearer money& rights-wise.

Benincasa

Seriously, you need to be aware of the implications of the Civil Partnership laws that have recently been introduced.

While it was theoretically about giving some rights to homosexuals, it also created very real property and financial rights for heterosexual cohabiting couples, even if the couples never intended this to happen. So if you break up in 5 years time, your GF may have claims on your house and even on other assets, even if neither of you ever intended this to happen.

Many lawyers I know are now getting to grips with this law (which comes into effect in january). They are really amazed at its implications and the fact that there was so little debate on the implications for heterosexual cohabitees.