Hi Chapos throwaway for obvious reasons.

I’ve managed to buy an apartment, two bedrooms. I live in it, but I rent the other room out. Is it unethical for me to hide that I’m the owner?

I don’t really lie-lie, like if I’m asked straight up I’ll answer, but I’ll avoid it if possible.

It’s mostly because it creates an odd power dynamic and I’d rather have a flatmate than a tenant if that makes sense.

Reason I bought is I don’t want to deal with landlords, obviously.

Do I get the wall?

  • Nester@feddit.uk
    ·
    3 months ago

    I would be honest about owning the property from the get go. Because if it ever came out that you're the owner (and it most certainly will) that would create a very awkward situation.

    In my eyes so long as you are paying for the mortgage/house loan, and not passing on passing on the burden that the tenant won't gain from then your ethically in the clear.

    As for what the tenant would pay, I see no reason not to go 50:50 on the bills with the tenant, and potentially getting them contributing to a ground rent (not sure if that's a thing outside of the UK, but it's basically where the owner of an apartment pays the owner of the building to help with upkeep).

    You might even consider a situation where you agree a monthly surplus to set aside in the event of repairs that may need to be done, agreeing that any money they put in is returned to them as the end of their tenancy if no such repairs were needed.

    At the end of the day if you have a tenant you shouldn't be extracting any value from them for your own benefit, beyond the obvious benefit of sharing living expenses.

    If anyone disagrees with me I'd really love to hear it.

    • GuiltyConscience [he/him]
      ·
      3 months ago

      Valid considerations. I’ll think about how best to calculate stuff when costs fall below market rent.

      That said imo fixing stuff is a capital expense/investment, not renter’s responsibility. It’s factored into rent, but I wouldn’t set a separate fund aside or anything. If something old breaks and I replace it, I’ve got the benefit of owning something new. (And the tax benefits of depreciation.)