'My Boyfriend Owns the Apartment, Should I Still Pay Rent? The Answer May Surprise You'

Moving in with your partner is meant to be a milestone in any relationship, but it often raises a multitude of questions, especially when it comes to financial matters. A reader recently sought advice from Money Manners on whether or not they should pay their boyfriend rent, since he owns the apartment they'll be sharing. The woman, who's been in a five-year relationship with her partner, plans on paying half of his weekly mortgage repayment as her 'rent,' as well as splitting bills, groceries, and other expenses. To her, this arrangement seems like the norm, akin to a regular share house situation. However, her dad expressed a different opinion. He thinks she shouldn't contribute to the mortgage repayments because, if they were to split, she wouldn't have any equity in her partner's house despite helping him repay the mortgage.

The woman is now unsure about whether she should be worried about this and doesn't want to be seen as a freeloader. In her mind, paying a discounted rent amount to her partner is better than paying an inflated amount to a random landlord. But which perspective is right?

According to Money Manners, the answer is simple – she should pay rent, just as she would for any home she moves into that doesn't belong to her. Whether her 'landlord' is her boyfriend or someone else, it doesn't matter. In any normal rental situation, tenants pay rent, which helps the landlord pay off their properties or investments. The arrangement the woman initially proposed, dividing costs as you would in a share house, is actually the right thing to do.

To alleviate any concerns, it's worth noting that even though she wouldn't have equity in her partner's house, she would still be considered part of a defacto relationship if they were to split. This means she'd have the right to make a claim on the property owned by both of them.

That being said, in any household arrangement, it's a good idea to keep good records of everything that's paid. With most bills and expenses going digital, this is easier to do than ever before. Although keeping track of expenses might not be the most romantic gesture, it's essential for maintaining transparency and trust in the relationship.

Ultimately, when it comes to financial decisions, especially those involving living arrangements, emotions often get the better of us. But by taking a more analytical approach, focusing on what's fair and reasonable, couples can make decisions that are in the best interest of both parties.

As for the woman, it seems like her initial intuition was right – paying rent to her partner is the way to go. Whether they'll 'be together forever and live happily ever after' remains to be seen, but at least they'll have their financial decisions sorted for the time being.