If a guy asks his girlfriend to move in with him, does she have to pay rent?
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,225
From: SF Bay Area - Peninsula
Car Info: 04 psm wrx sedan
When my gf moved in with me at my old place I made her pay the cable + bills. When we moved in together we worked it out that she paid less rent but all bills because she's good with payments schedules etc and I always forget haha
Churro Aficionado
iTrader: (38)
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 54,661
From: IG - @thomas.teammoist
Car Info: IG - @TEAMMOISTOFFICIAL
Well I haven't personally been in a situation as such but I would assume if she paid part mortgage without there being clear guidelines in the beginning things may get ugly if the couple were to ever break up. She may argue that she was helping him pay for the property; of course it would be only his name on the paper work but I'm still cautious.
Each relationship is different so it really is hard to come up with a straight answer.
It's like asking if couples should have joint accounts or separate. .*shrug
Edit: to Skizz yes I do think they should definitely split everything else (utilities, food, insurance, etc) but the question specifically asked about rent.
Each relationship is different so it really is hard to come up with a straight answer.
It's like asking if couples should have joint accounts or separate. .*shrug
Edit: to Skizz yes I do think they should definitely split everything else (utilities, food, insurance, etc) but the question specifically asked about rent.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 113
From: Dublin, California
Car Info: 2007 SWP STI
Except when you are renting or leasing from a second party there is a contract and it's more or less a business transaction. Unless you want to set up a notarized contract with your significant other so that they can't come back and sue you. .
/\This right here. My wife and I split rent and bills down the middle when we moved in together years ago. A good friend and his lady do it a lil different, he pays the rent she covers all the bills and their car payment too so it ends up being close to equal but he does make a bit more and another friend his lady makes BANK so she pays a little more so he has more "play money". i told him to read that as RING MONEY and to not lag on getting the ring LOL.
Dating, i would split it.
Churro Aficionado
iTrader: (38)
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 54,661
From: IG - @thomas.teammoist
Car Info: IG - @TEAMMOISTOFFICIAL
previously known as wrxBRAH
iTrader: (17)
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,383
From: San Jose / Campbell
Car Info: 2004 FXT
I don't know about splitting down the middle. My fiance and I live in a 3 bedroom townhouse that allows dogs (her dogs). She was paying for that place long before she asked me to move in. I pay a little over 1/3 of the rent but I also take care of 100% of our entertainment costs (eating out, bar tabs, vegas trips). Meanwhile my savings are all going towards the down payment on a house next year.
It all works out in the end I suppose.
It all works out in the end I suppose.
Thread Starter
Friendly Neighborhood Ogre
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 19,930
From: www.gunatics.com
Car Info: GUNATICS.COM
I don't know about splitting down the middle. My fiance and I live in a 3 bedroom townhouse that allows dogs (her dogs). She was paying for that place long before she asked me to move in. I pay a little over 1/3 of the rent but I also take care of 100% of our entertainment costs (eating out, bar tabs, vegas trips). Meanwhile my savings are all going towards the down payment on a house next year.
It all works out in the end I suppose.
It all works out in the end I suppose.
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,030
From: In Mother Russia...
Car Info: ...zeh car drives you!
At the end of the day, barring any life changing events or circumstances, each side has to equally and fairly contribute into the relationship and household (whether monetary or non-monetary). Obviously, each situation is different and there are always compromises and exceptions. Regardless, such a move requires a mature discussion about expectations, planning and budgeting.
In no particular order...
1) The girl is pregnant and plans to be a stay at home mom
2) The girl is a full time student, so there is future earnings potential (or a quick break up as soon as she finishes and finds a job)
3) The girl is injured, sick, etc and the guy is helping her recover
4) Citizenship "arrangement"
5) The guy is in loooove *cough* whipped *cough*
6) Girl has a warped sense of entitlement and/or gold diggin' ho'
7) ???
Hopefully, there would need to be some non-monetary efforts/contributions on the other side to help balance out the equation.
In no particular order...
1) The girl is pregnant and plans to be a stay at home mom
2) The girl is a full time student, so there is future earnings potential (or a quick break up as soon as she finishes and finds a job)
3) The girl is injured, sick, etc and the guy is helping her recover
4) Citizenship "arrangement"
5) The guy is in loooove *cough* whipped *cough*
6) Girl has a warped sense of entitlement and/or gold diggin' ho'
7) ???
Hopefully, there would need to be some non-monetary efforts/contributions on the other side to help balance out the equation.
Well I haven't personally been in a situation as such but I would assume if she paid part mortgage without there being clear guidelines in the beginning things may get ugly if the couple were to ever break up. She may argue that she was helping him pay for the property; of course it would be only his name on the paper work but I'm still cautious.
Each relationship is different so it really is hard to come up with a straight answer.
It's like asking if couples should have joint accounts or separate. .*shrug
Edit: to Skizz yes I do think they should definitely split everything else (utilities, food, insurance, etc) but the question specifically asked about rent.
Each relationship is different so it really is hard to come up with a straight answer.
It's like asking if couples should have joint accounts or separate. .*shrug
Edit: to Skizz yes I do think they should definitely split everything else (utilities, food, insurance, etc) but the question specifically asked about rent.
Still think if a person owns a home/paying a mortgage the other party should cover all the bills unless somehow they = or are more than the mortgage. Also it can depend on how much the home owner makes. Owning a house isn't cheap.
Last edited by SkizzDawg; Sep 23, 2014 at 03:06 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 113
From: Dublin, California
Car Info: 2007 SWP STI
That joint account or separate is a touchy subject for some peeps, its crazy some of the reactions i get. And some reactions are well expected. One piece of advice. Don't go full joint accounts with someone until engaged or Married. Sure there migh be peeps who it has worked for or is working for but its also very easy for someone to get over on and even bleed someone dry. i have a a few friends (guys and girls) with varying stories all with similar ending.. :-(
Still think if a person owns a home/paying a mortgage the other party should cover all the bills unless somehow they = or are more than the mortgage. Also it can depend on how much the home owner makes. Owning a house isn't cheap.
For example, I would definitely help my significant other with mortgage payments but I feel strongly that if something went sour in our relationship I wouldn't use it against him. Even if the person would say they wouldn't hold it against their partner, there really is no predicting the future. When you are in love your vision can be cloudy. There are crazy people out there so I don't hold others to my opinions and values because what works for me might not work for them.
All other bills such as utilities make perfect sense to split because it is something each individual consumes and isn't as sensitive as property.
Some people feel so entitled to be carried though. . man or woman (let's face it, mostly women).
VIP Member
iTrader: (24)
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,642
From: San Jose
Car Info: 2000 Legacy GT, 2000 Echo 1989 Camry All-Trac
No rent (ie: to "pay" through other means) is kinda tantmount to prostitution/live in mistress otherwise. Which I guess is ok if both are down... 
Down the middle for most bills otherwise, and say each pay their respective service bills on such things not shared.
Down the middle for most bills otherwise, and say each pay their respective service bills on such things not shared.
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,849
From: Cheesesteakville
Car Info: 05 wrx wagon, 90 celica alltrac, 66 mustang
Oh I also forgot to mention my Girlfriend is paying for everything at the moment and I hate it. This is what we agreed on though so its not like a surprise to her.
When we moved out she had a good paying job and can afford everything by herself. It has been my job to find house to live in, in a neighbor hood we like. I have also been keeping the house clean, making her lunches and cooking most of the meals.
I can't wait to start working again.
When we moved out she had a good paying job and can afford everything by herself. It has been my job to find house to live in, in a neighbor hood we like. I have also been keeping the house clean, making her lunches and cooking most of the meals.
I can't wait to start working again.
