Living as a couple under the same roof usually means sharing expenses, but when one is the owner of the property and the other only resides there, the situation can be more delicate than it seems. That’s what happens to a woman who has been with her partner for two years. couple if marriedand that for a few months he has been paying her “rent” to live in the apartment that he bought before they moved in together.
According to information published in the French media ‘Figaro Real Estate‘The man acquired the property for 250,000 euros thanks to previous savings, now he pays a mortgage of 1,140 euros per month. When they moved in together, they agreed that their partner would contribute 400 euros per month, of which a part goes to expenses and the rest to what they call “rent.” “For me it’s like I rented an apartment. The difference is that I know the landlord,” explained the young woman.
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However, this agreement between the couple has aroused certain criticism from wealth advisors and lawyers, who warn of the risks involved in this type of contributions without any legal support.
“He doesn’t have any contract. He can’t claim anything”
Although the two involved assure that they made the decision consensually and with good will, several experts warn that these types of situations can become problematic if the relationship ends.
Financial advisor Kenny Blein explains it clearly in the middle. “It is not the same as renting to a stranger. In this case, there is no contract, no rights as a tenant, or protection in case of separation.” The young woman is helping to pay for a home that does not belong to her, without obtaining any type of right over it.
According to Blein, these types of agreements usually leave those who do not appear as the owner of the property at a disadvantage, since no type of equity is generated. “She contributes money, he reduces his mortgage. One gets rich and the other gets nothing”he summarizes.
A vision shared by advisor Héloïse Bolle, who believes that this formula aggravates economic inequalities within the couple: “There is no advantage for whoever pays. It is a money transfer without counterpart”he points out.
Notary Barbara Thomas-David said that although it is common to see these situations, whoever pays the ‘rent’ is at a clear disadvantage. “I see cases like this every week. If they are not married, there is no way to claim anything. He is left with the house, and she is left empty-handed.” In fact, in the case of a divorce, there could be alimony. But in a cohabitation without marriage, there is no legal mechanism that protects the
In these situations, experts recommend looking for alternatives that guarantee greater equity and security for both parties:
- That the person who pays can save that money to buy a part of the property later.
- Sign an acknowledgment of debt, specifying how much each person has contributed and what happens if they separate.
“Leaving everything in trust can be an expensive mistake. You have to foresee what would happen if one day you are no longer together,” the experts point out.