Whats fair in splitting the rent?

Question

I've been living with a roomate now for 6 months and we've been splitting the rent in half. We have a 2 bdrm apt with no util cost. Now my gf will be moving in with me and and there will be 3 of us playing the rent. I told him it would be fair for me and her to pay for 60% of the rent and have him pay 40%. He thinks we should all split it equally. Might I add his room is a bit larger and most of the stuff (furniture/electronics/) in the apt are mine. He doesnt think its fair, but most people I talk to agree with me. I wouldnt mind hearing what everyone has to say then forwarding him this link. Thank you very much

Answer 1

Each should pay 1/3 of the cost. He is getting another roommate and the headaches along with it. You are getting the benefits of a live in girlfriend. Why should he have to pay for it.

Answer 2

First off, fairness is always a matter of negotiation. There is in my opinion no correct answer other than the one you can all agree on. A 60/40 split seems reasonable to me however I dont' know what your roommate's feelings are on this. Once you add your girlfriend to the mix, it changes the dynamic.

Answer 3

I think in the end what is fair is what all three of you decide upon, not what the majority (which I assume would be you and your girlfriend) think is balanced.

I've run into this situation, as well, but I was in the roommate's position. In the end, we split it equally between the three of us, but we all agreed that would be best in our situation.

Another possibility is splitting it according to a percentage of each person's income. For example, let's say that you and your girlfriend make $1000 per month and your roommate makes $500 per month. That's a total of $2500 income per month. Let's say the apartment costs are $1200 per month. That's 48% of the total income ($1200 divided by $2500). So each of you would pay 48% of your total income per month to rent. That would be $480 per month for you and your girlfriend ($1000 times 48% [0.48]), and $240 for your roommate ($500 times 48% [0.48]). (I'm not great in math, so you might want to run these figures by someone who is a math person.)

It's a little more difficult to figure out, but it's an alternative that might work for you all. It's worth it to all come to an agreement now instead of letting resentment about payments fester. That sort of thing isn't pleasant for anyone.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Sorry, but you won't get any agreement from me. You need to split it 3 ways if he does not agree to your proposal.

If you own the TV, you get control of the remote but the finances need to be shared equally. He now has to deal with the hassle of another roommate -- and a female one at that so now he has to watch how he dresses (no more naked runs to the bathroom at 2:00 AM) -- and the only fair way to account for that is to share all expenses equally.

Answer 5

Your roommate is correct; the fair thing to do is split it equally because all 3 of you will be using the apartment - livingroom, dining room, kitchen and bathroom.
Exactly who brought which furnishings into the apartment has no bearing on the issue - the issue is 3 people; thus, split it equally by a third.

Answer 6

Yes, I agree with him. It should be split evenly 3 ways and the way you've proposed is unfair to him. Still going to forward him this link if you don't get the answer you want to hear? I hope so...

Answer 7

3 people split 3 ways, that's the only fair way to do this.

Answer 8

I agree with you, since you'll be sharing a bedroom, but think of it this way:
Your proposal: 60%/40%
His proposal: 66.67%/33.33%

Is it really worth splitting hairs over 6.67%????

Answer 9

33.3% apiece unless sombody is doing something extra like keeping the place clean. Been my experience that it will be a tough road to haul. To many cooks in the kitchen so to speak

Answer 10

no, just because you are a couple does not diminish the percentages... it should be 33 1/3 per person - that is fair.