My housemate's boyfriend has been living at our house and hardly paying for anything. I need advice with the situation
Hi! A little backstory: I [F] lived with my current housemate (let's call her Sophie) last year with another girl. Sophie's boyfriend (let's call him Dave) would be round usually 4 out of 7 days a week. I didn't mind so much, it didn't take up too much of our time. The other girl did mind and left (another story for another time).
Therefore, Sophie and I had to downsize from a three bedroom house to a two bedroom house. At the same time as us moving, Dave was awarded a role in a play near our house. He wasn't being paid for it but it was a great opportunity for him to start his acting career. Previously Dave had worked at a bar for a few days a week so hadn't earned a lot of money meaning he couldn't find anywhere to rent near the theatre. Sophie asked if I was OK if he stayed at ours during the rehearsal period and 3 weeks when the show was being put on. This was pretty much all week for 2-3 months. I said I didn't mind (I thought it would be unhelpful and unfair to say no) and we agreed that he'd buy the toilet roll as compensation for the time he was here. Sophie also said that as soon as it was over he would leave for a while so we could be just us 2 again.
Come to the end of the show, which was last week. He's currently been away from this house for 1 day total and is going to be staying until Friday at least. Sophie also mentioned that he's auditioning for another role in a theatre nearby. So if he gets that role he'll probably be staying here for another few months.
Sophie mentioned to me that although he's been here she hasn't really seen him. Sophie and I work 9-5 and so when he's at home she's at work. However, his plays are in the evening so when she gets back from work he then leaves. Although it's not as black and white as that, she feels she hasn't seen him as much as she would've in this situation.
I'm starting to feel a bit uncomfortable as I'm almost a third wheel in my own house. I do have a boyfriend but only see him for 2 weekends out of the month, and one of those I'm going to his house. Also, I'm starting to think that paying for the loo roll doesn't cover it. I know the advice is talk to Sophie about it. However, I don't know where I stand:
- internet and water price for the house is set for the size of the house. Him being here doesn't increase those bills. However, if he's as good as living here, should he still contribute?
- Sophie and Dave always cook together so I wouldn't know how much extra gas/electric is used then. However, he does use the shower everyday, so he'd be using some gas... So him being here must increase the gas bill by some price. But I don't know if it's fair to ask for money for the bill and how to calculate it.
Basically, I need advice on what I can ask for whilst also being reasonable and understanding and to not make it awkward between me and Sophie for the rest of the year we're living together.
Thank you so much for your time and advice!
Posted Aug 12, 2015, 4:25 PM UTC