Should my roommate's boyfriend be charged for bills/ rent?

Question

I'm renting a 4 bedroom 1 bath house. I have 3 roommates(2 guys and 1 girl who recently moved in). The girl's boyfriend is here every night and showers, cooks and does his laundry here. Everyone likes him but it kinda seems unfair for us renters. Would it be out of line to ask him to pay his share of the bills?

Answer 1

I think one of you, whoever is closest to the girl, should talk to her about having him help out since he is over there all the time using your utilities and space.

I don't think it is out of line to ask, especially if he is there every night.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

I disagree with the two posters who told you not to charge the boyfriend rent - their relationship and whether or not they stay together is completely irrelevant and has nothing to do with you. In my opinion, staying at someone's house more than 2-3 times a week constitutes paying rent - especially after you factor in the electricity, water, etc. they use. You should talk to your roommate, nicely explaining your concerns with the situation as you have done here. Tell her that either a) you will have to start charging him rent for being there so much of the time; b) he can only stay over ___ times per week or c) it's not working out and she will need to move. This is a common problem with roommates and their significant others. Speaking from personal experience, it will only get worse if you don't confront her about it.

Answer 4

Well, I'm assuming he does not have his own room, but shares the room with his girlfriend.

It's a little tough to ask him to share int he rent costs becuase of that, and the girl would probably object. ...but utilities would be affected by him being there.

There are 4 of you renters, but 5 with the boyfriend. I'd simply say that each person owes 20% of the monthly utiltiies obligations. So the girl and her boy would make up a 40% portion of the utilities.

If she doesn't agree, then she needs to explain why you guys should be paying for the water and electrcity that he uses..... but then remember if any of you get girlfriends/boyfriends you'll have to do the same thing when the time comes!!

Answer 5

It would depend on how long he has been around... if he has been around more than a month... I think you should talk to her about her boyfriend and you could give her several options such as he moves out, he pays, she pays his way... it doesn't matter which pays but it is only fair that all adults are paying.. neither you guys or her should be taken for a free ride. Explain to her that if you brought a girlfriend into the picture she would have to pay her way or you'd pay it for her. It is another head in the house. He eats, showers, does laundry... you could also set him up on a daily basis incase he's not there as much. If he was any kind of man anyway he would be offering something so that it didn't appear that he was taking advantage of all of you. Just try not to sound like you are attacking him or her when you talk to them.

Answer 6

does he cook for everyone and cleanup after he's done? Food is usually more expensive than the electricity or water used by one person.

does he have a job or is he a leech?

Did the bills go up since hes been there?

What does the agreement with the new girl that moved in say? If you rented a room and 1/4 of the bills- it seems like you should not worry about it how many people are in that room but file away the information for future lease agreements.

Answer 7

It would not be unreasonable for him to pay for his share of the utilities since he is running up the water and electric. If he is staying over night more than 51 percent of the month then he should also pay a fair share of the rent. If there are five of you at the residents then 1/5 of the expenses should be paid by everyone. If the boyfriend should object, explain that while he is cooking, showering or doing his laundry that the four individuals paying the utilities and rent are inconvenienced by his actions, they must wait for him to finish, their for, he should pay his fair share for the privileges.

Answer 8

I'd get with the other roommates and tell her that he needs to pay 1/5 of ALL costs if he spends more than one or two nights a week there. He's obviously living there so he should pay an equal share of all costs, rent, utilities, food, etc.

The lease probably requires that all occupants be listed on the lease and most leases define an occupant as anyone who spends more than two weeks in the premises.

Answer 9

Your lease is for 4 people, and the costs are meant to be split 4 ways.

It is unfair for the other girl to have her boyfriend there all the time, using your utilities, without kicking in a higher share of those costs.

I'd suggest offering to have the bf added to the lease and getting all your costs knocked down some. If not, she should pay a higher share of the overall utilities.

Answer 10

If he spends just as much time there as his girlfriend or any of the other "paying" roomies then he should be charged too but you have to remember that the female roomie might see this as an opportunity for her and her bf to shack up. Then again if you tell her boyfriend that he has to pay his share he might get freaked out by the fact that he might have to "move in" with his girlfriend and then he'd stop visiting. Its you and your roomies home, you should all speak up.

Answer 11

I think you should speak to both. The girl and guy. Make it clear to them that she is ONLY paying for her expenses. He is showering, cooking, and laundrying.. Which means, he is using water and gas. Its fair enough for the boyfriend or the girlfriend to give more money for the household bills...Nothing is free anymore.
Just talk to them in a nice way and tell them whats fair for all..
Best Wishes! : )