Girlfriend just moved in, rent divide

TheBully

Ok guys, I'm currently sharing a house with 2 lads, but my gf moved in a few weeks ago, there was no problem with the other 2 lads when this happened. we went 4 ways on the bills and rent wasn't touched, now the lads have come and said that they want more rent, which I am fine with but the problem is how much they want.

It's a 3 bed house, rent is 1250 a month, they now want the rent divided by 4 meaning that my room costs 625 while the other rooms cost 312 each, it was divided equally before. I'm all for paying more but I think they demands are unreasonable.
Does anyone have any opinions on what would be fair? I'd rather get a 1 bed apartment for 700 than pay 625 to share.
I have said I'd be happy with 466 a month for my room and 392 for theirs but they want more.

We never use sitting room, the2 lads have that all to themselves as we work a lot and have sky in bedroom. kitchen only for cooking. Any help guys

MarkAnthony

Well that'll learn ya to sort things out properly before changing living arrangements. A token increase in rent is all that's fair really. Bills are one thing but you're essentially paying by the room. €700 for a one bed apartment, where abouts in Leitrim are you btw?

TheBully

Well we rented the house, not rooms! I kind of knew the lads before we moved in! That's in cork, and a 1bed for 700 is basic but we saving for a mortgage so don't want to be paying more than that. 1 bed apartments can be got in suburbs for 700-900+

MarkAnthony

TheBully wrote: »

Well we rented the house, not rooms! I kind of knew the lads before we moved in! That's in cork, and a 1bed for 700 is basic but we saving for a mortgage so don't want to be paying more than that. 1 bed apartments can be got in suburbs for 700-900+

If you're renting the house then the lads are right aren't they? There's now 4 of you in the place - can't have it both ways.

Fol20

That seems a bit much now. bills should be split equally and maybe if you add on an extra 100 that would be fair. 4 ways when 2 of ye are in the same room is too much. I would move out and find a place of your own at that price.

TheBully

MarkAnthony wrote: »

If you're renting the house then the lads are right aren't they? There's now 4 of you in the place - can't have it both ways.

I'm not having it both ways, I'm taking one room and have agreed a rent increase but I cannot be expected to pay half the monthly rent when I'm only taking one room out of 3 can I?
I went and got a big to and sky in room to give lads space in sitting room, don't want to be the typical couple house hogging

bucketybuck

I think the lads are dead right, they no longer live with 2 other people, they now live with 3 other people and thats not what they signed up for. More than that, 2 of the people are a couple with the baggage that brings.

4 people in the house, split it 4 ways.

knucklehead6

TheBully wrote: »

Well we rented the house, not rooms! I kind of knew the lads before we moved in! That's in cork, and a 1bed for 700 is basic but we saving for a mortgage so don't want to be paying more than that. 1 bed apartments can be got in suburbs for 700-900+

Well if you rented the house then your room doesn't cost €625, the share of the house that you and your g/f SHOULD pay is 1/2, as you make up 1/2 the people living in the house.

Polo_Mint

TheBully wrote: »

I'm not having it both ways, I'm taking one room and have agreed a rent increase but I cannot be expected to pay half the monthly rent when I'm only taking one room out of 3 can I?
I went and got a big to and sky in room to give lads space in sitting room, don't want to be the typical couple house hogging

Why would you pay half the rent?

Is your OH not paying rent?

bucketybuck

TheBully wrote: »

I'm not having it both ways, I'm taking one room and have agreed a rent increase but I cannot be expected to pay half the monthly rent when I'm only taking one room out of 3 can I?

You paying half the rent? Whats your girlfriend paying? Surely you would be paying 233 each, which is actually less than the other flatmates? Or is she freeloading?

MarkAnthony

TheBully wrote: »

I'm not having it both ways, I'm taking one room and have agreed a rent increase but I cannot be expected to pay half the monthly rent when I'm only taking one room out of 3 can I?
I went and got a big to and sky in room to give lads space in sitting room, don't want to be the typical couple house hogging

Well thats what I said and you disagreed with it, so...

TheBully

Fol20 wrote: »

That seems a bit much now. bills should be split equally and maybe if you add on an extra 100 that would be fair. 4 ways when 2 of ye are in the same room is too much. I would move out and find a place of your own at that price.

I'm really considering it, we are happy here though and if we can sort this out then we will stay, it's in a really nice area and what we would get on our own would be nothing compared to our house at the min

o1s1n

You should all pay 25% each now.

Its not just the room, all the living space/kitchen/fridge are now being used by 4 people.

Kristopherus

TheBully wrote: »

I'm not having it both ways, I'm taking one room and have agreed a rent increase but I cannot be expected to pay half the monthly rent when I'm only taking one room out of 3 can I?
I went and got a big to and sky in room to give lads space in sitting room, don't want to be the typical couple house hogging

Can you not see they are being perfectly reasonable in dividing the rent by 4. Think of what they're giving up by having a fourth person in the gaff. And the bedroom "noise" the pair of you are gonna make;).

Fluffy Cat 88

bucketybuck wrote: »

I think the lads are dead right, they no longer live with 2 other people, they now live with 3 other people and thats not what they signed up for. More than that, 2 of the people are a couple with the baggage that brings.

4 people in the house, split it 4 ways.

This.

Fairest all round. Split it 4 ways, or move out. The living arrangements went from being an uncomplicated 3 lads sharing to 2 lads and a couple.

bloominballix

TheBully wrote: »

I'm not having it both ways, I'm taking one room and have agreed a rent increase but I cannot be expected to pay half the monthly rent when I'm only taking one room out of 3 can I?
I went and got a big to and sky in room to give lads space in sitting room, don't want to be the typical couple house hogging

But you're not paying half the monthly rent, you're paying a quarter of it for one room whereas before you were paying a third of it. Or are you saying you'll be paying your girlfriend's share too?

Your flat mates are now sharing with a couple, whether you have sky in your room is irrelevant. I'd be expecting a significant drop in rent if I was put in that situation.

Also the fact you moved her in without even offering to pay more rent is cheeky as **** by the way.

TheBully

bucketybuck wrote: »

You paying half the rent? Whats your girlfriend paying? Surely you would be paying 233 each, which is actually less than the other flatmates? Or is she freeloading?

Nobody freeloading, the 416 is paid every month and bills are 4 ways, if she pays 233 is irrelevant as long as the rent is paid

MarkAnthony

They're not being reasonable though. Even if the OP was making full use of the living space, which he says he's not, the couple still only have one bedroom. It's fair the bills get split 4 ways but the rent should be on a room basis plus an 'inconvenience' fee. I'd suggest €500 from the OP with the €750 split at €375 each.

knucklehead6

TheBully wrote: »

Nobody freeloading, the 416 is paid every month and bills are 4 ways, if she pays 233 is irrelevant as long as the rent is paid

Nope, it's not irrevelant. You two now make up 1/2 the people living in the house, you should pay half the rent

TheBully

bloominballix wrote: »

But you're not paying half the monthly rent, you're paying a quarter of it for one room whereas before you were paying a third of it. Or are you saying you'll be paying your girlfriend's share too?

Your flat mates are now sharing with a couple, whether you have sky in your room is irrelevant. I'd be expecting a significant drop in rent if I was put in that situation.

Also the fact you moved her in without even offering to pay more rent is cheeky as **** by the way.

No, they now want half the monthly rent which is 625 a month, iv said I will pay more rent but I'm not going paying half.
Myself and my girlfriend have shared finances if you are wondering so it is us paying the rent not just me

Eric Cartman

3 bed house : 1250

3 bed + 1 communal area = 1250/4 = 312.50
communal area 312.50 divided by 4 people (3 lads and 1 girl) = 78.12 per person

bedroom 1 - 312.50 + 78.12 = 390.62
bedroom 2 - 312.50 + 78.12 = 390.62
bedroom 3 - 312.50 + 2(78.12) = 468.74

I would say is the fairest amounts, you could round these to save hassle.

TheBully

knucklehead6 wrote: »

Nope, it's not irrevelant. You two now make up 1/2 the people living in the house, you should pay half the rent

Maybe we make up half people living but I only take up 1/3 of bedrooms and iv offered to pay more for having her living there but half is too much

Firewalkwithme

TheBully wrote: »

Nobody freeloading, the 416 is paid every month and bills are 4 ways, if she pays 233 is irrelevant as long as the rent is paid

She doesn't pay does she? This is where you have been found out.

TheBully

Eric Cartman wrote: »

3 bed house : 1250

3 bed + 1 communal area = 1250/4 = 312.50
communal area 312.50 divided by 4 people (3 lads and 1 girl) = 78.12 per person

bedroom 1 - 312.50 + 78.12 = 390.62
bedroom 2 - 312.50 + 78.12 = 390.62
bedroom 3 - 312.50 + 2(78.12) = 468.74

I would say is the fairest amounts, you could round these to save hassle.

Yea Eric they are exactly the figures I'm suggesting and I think they are fair!

MarkAnthony

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

She doesn't pay does she? This is where you have been found out.

Not sure why this is relevant. If he want to pay for her to live there more power too him. My wife pays for me :pac:

TheBully

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

She doesn't pay does she? This is where you have been found out.

We have shared finances, joint account!!

I'll be honest and say that if I lived there and moved in with two other single lads, I'd not want more money for your girlfriend moving in. Instead I'd simply object to it.

In my (admittedly limited) experience of this kinda thing, once there's a 'couple' in the house, the whole dynamic of the house changes (not for the better). I'd say they're right in asking for the rent to be divided in four now.

MarkAnthony

Eric Cartman wrote: »

3 bed house : 1250

3 bed + 1 communal area = 1250/4 = 312.50
communal area 312.50 divided by 4 people (3 lads and 1 girl) = 78.12 per person

bedroom 1 - 312.50 + 78.12 = 390.62
bedroom 2 - 312.50 + 78.12 = 390.62
bedroom 3 - 312.50 + 2(78.12) = 468.74

I would say is the fairest amounts, you could round these to save hassle.

I was going to suggest something similar based on sq footage. But really it's splitting hairs.

Fluffy Cat 88

TheBully wrote: »

Maybe we make up half people living but I only take up 1/3 of bedrooms and iv offered to pay more for having her living there but half is too much

Can she not pay her share of the rent herself? It would save you a lot of money every month.

knucklehead6

TheBully wrote: »

Maybe we make up half people living but I only take up 1/3 of bedrooms and iv offered to pay more for having her living there but half is too much

Half is not too much, half is fair.

When three rented the house it was split three ways. Now there are 4 living there, it should be split 4 ways. Whatever you've done with the bedroom you two are sharing doesn't come into it. The fact remains the other two lads now have to share the rest of the house with an extra person

Either the two of you pay half or move out, THAT'S fair

TheBully

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Not sure why this is relevant. If he want to pay for her to live there more power too him. My wife pays for me :pac:

Exactly, what difference does it make where the money comes from?

MarkAnthony

Deleted User wrote: »

I'll be honest and say that if I lived there and moved in with two other single lads, I'd not want more money for your girlfriend moving in. Instead I'd simply object to it.

In my (admittedly limited) experience of this kinda thing, once there's a 'couple' in the house, the whole dynamic of the house changes (not for the better). I'd say they're right in asking for the rent to be divided in four now.

Sod that, just make a written agreement along the line of what the OP is saying he does now. Stay out of the livingroom and you still only get 1/3 of the fridge.

Firewalkwithme

TheBully wrote: »

We have shared finances, joint account!!

Ok then, the reduction in rent you will benefit from by her moving in will partially offset her portion of the rent won't it.

I can see how this went, move in with me love, I'll just keep paying for my room of you pay for a quarter of the bills. Get over it man, she should pay her way.

Kensington

TheBully wrote: »

No, they now want half the monthly rent which is 625 a month, iv said I will pay more rent but I'm not going paying half.
Myself and my girlfriend have shared finances if you are wondering so it is us paying the rent not just me

What's your landlord's thoughts on there being an extra tennent in the house...?

hardCopy

Just leave, the housemates don't really want you both there. Nobody ever wants a couple in a house share.

TheBully

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

Ok then, the reduction in rent you will benefit from by her moving in will partially offset her portion of the rent won't it.

I can see how this went, move in with me love, I'll just keep paying for my room of you pay for a quarter of the bills. Get over it man, she should pay her way.

I'm not objecting to that, that's why I came on here tonight, to get a fair percentage payment, we have agreed to pay more, did u not read post

bucketybuck

TheBully wrote: »

Maybe we make up half people living but I only take up 1/3 of bedrooms and iv offered to pay more for having her living there but half is too much

The rent isn't for the bedrooms, its for the house. It isn't enough to just say you don't use the full house, you have the use of it all whether you actually use the living room or not. Maybe the other lads should pick rooms they don't want and try to pay less rent on the back of it...

There are four people living in the house, the amount each person pays needs to reflect that.

TheBully

Kensington wrote: »

What's your landlord's thoughts on there being an extra tennent in the house...?

The landlord knows and does not mind as long as rent is paid

Firewalkwithme

TheBully wrote: »

I'm not objecting to that, that's why I came on here tonight, to get a fair percentage payment, we have agreed to pay more, did u not read post

I've read it all.

25% for each person is fair but you don't agree and you only came here hoping to find people would agree with your position.

As you can see, most people don't.

MarkAnthony

hardCopy wrote: »

Just leave, the housemates don't really want you both there. Nobody ever wants a couple in a house share.

Actually I'd call the bluff there. €375 a month for a house with only one other person using the living area or the possibility of Jed the unwashed boyo from the country moving in with his German porn collection and chain smoking woodbines...

MarkAnthony

bucketybuck wrote: »

The rent isn't for the bedrooms, its for the house. It isn't enough to just say you don't use the full house, you have the use of it all whether you actually use the living room or not. Maybe the other lads should pick rooms they don't want and try to pay less rent on the back of it...

There are four people living in the house, the amount each person pays needs to reflect that.

That's exactly what the OP is suggesting tbh. The difference is he's simply asking for it to also reflect that two of them are using one bedroom.

Shelga

I think your offer of 466 is fair OP. Any time I've heard of a couple sharing with singles, they pay more but not that much more.

I'd tell them you're only willing to pay 466 as they were fine with everything until after she'd moved in. You might have to consider moving though if the atmosphere gets a bit ugly though, annoying and inconvenient but that's life.

Do you not have a lease or input from a landlord to get these things written down on paper?

TheBully

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Actually I'd call the bluff there. €375 a month for a house with only one other person using the living area or the possibility of Jed the unwashed boyo from the country moving in with his German porn collection and chain smoking woodbines...

Hahaha.... Jed wandering around in his undies drinking their milk out of the carton

Firewalkwithme

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Actually I'd call the bluff there. €375 a month for a house with only one other person using the living area or the possibility of Jed the unwashed boyo from the country moving in with his German porn collection and chain smoking woodbines...

They do get to choose who move in you know and I'm pretty sure that after this experience they would be very careful not to let another tenant move his or her partner in.

Mellor

Splitting it 4-ways: €312.50 each, or €625 for the couple. This is unfair on the couple, and the two lands are getting a room each for the same money. Would the lads agree to that if they were twin-sharing a room, with two other people in their own rooms. Obviously not.

Splitting it 3-ways: €416 per bedroom is unfair too. In this case the two lads are paying more for an equal share of the living areas. Why should that be the case.


The most logically to resolve the those extremes is to split the difference. Halfway between €625 and €416 is €520, that's what the couple should pay, which leaves €365 each for the lads.

Consider the rent as being split in two halves (€625 each), with one being split 3 ways for the rooms, and the other being split 4 ways for the living areas.

TheBully

Shelga wrote: »

I think your offer of 466 is fair OP. Any time I've heard of a couple sharing with singles, they pay more but not that much more.

I'd tell them you're only willing to pay 466 as they were fine with everything until after she'd moved in. You might have to consider moving though if the atmosphere gets a bit ugly though, annoying and inconvenient but that's life.

Do you not have a lease or input from a landlord to get these things written down on paper?

No the lease is just for the 1250, nothing about tenant or anything, the landlord has taken a back seat and is very easy as long as rent is paid, I'm gonna stick with 466, it's unreasonable to be expected to pay 625 imo, but that's why I came here for advise

Ursus Horribilis

If you object, you're probably going to fall out with the other lads in the house anyway. I think you'll find that they're far less fine with sharing with a couple than you think they are. An extra person will mean extra use of the water in the house. Extra use of the washing machine and tumble drier. ESB in the kitchen. Less space in the fridge. Noise at night. It's obvious that you're the one who's in a loved-up couple if you can't accept that couples are a pain in the backside to share with.

MarkAnthony

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

They do get to choose who move in you know and I'm pretty sure that after this experience they would be very careful not to let another tenant move his or her partner in.

It seems to me that they've been the underhanded ones. It seems that they were quite happy to let the OP move her in with an agreement to split the bills 4 ways but only hit him with the rent issue post move.

To be frank there is probably very little they can do about it. If they all signed a lease then none of them can move out so tough titties. When you're sharing always get everything in writing before you do anything. Business is business.

Kensington

TheBully wrote: »

The landlord knows and does not mind as long as rent is paid

That's fair enough.

It sounds like you're not going to get anywhere with the 2 lads unfortunately.

You want to change the agreement the 3 of you originally entered into so they hold the upper hand to an extent.

You're going to have to either pay up or move out...

bucketybuck

MarkAnthony wrote: »

That's exactly what the OP is suggesting tbh. The difference is he's simply asking for it to also reflect that two of them are using one bedroom.

The OP is trying to claim that the other lads aren't actually living in a house that now has 4 people in it.

I wouldn't have been happy with moving her into the house in the first place, it would only make it worse to know that 2 of the 4 people in the house are paying significantly less rent per person than the other 2.

But if the rent is split 4 ways now surely you are paying less each month OP?

You were paying 400 something yea? Now you should be paying 300 something?
Your girlfriend also pays 300 something? Most probably less / equal to what she would be paying somewhere else?
So ye both pay less rent.
What's the problem?
You are actually 2 people you know, not one single entity because you're a couple.
Rent should be split 4 ways, or else find somewhere else for ye both, would be my opinion.