Roommate's Partner Is Basically Living With You

The Problem: Your roommate's partner is at your flat every single night. They use the shower, eat from the shared groceries, and take up space in the living room. But they don't pay rent, don't do chores, and weren't part of the original agreement.

This is one of the most common — and most sensitive — roommate issues. It's not about disliking the partner; it's about fairness. An extra person means extra water, electricity, wear and tear, and reduced common space for everyone else.

The Solution: Have the conversation sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more resentment builds. Frame it around logistics, not feelings: 'I wanted to chat about the arrangement with [partner's name] being here most nights. I think we need to figure out what's fair for everyone.'

Options include: the partner contributes a portion of rent and utilities, they take on a share of household chores, there's a limit on nights per week (e.g., 3-4), or — if they're essentially living there — they formally join the tenancy.

Document any agreement in your roommate agreement and track contributions in HomeCo. Fairness works best when it's visible and agreed upon, not assumed and resented.

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Download HomeCo today — the free app that makes living with roommates actually work. Track shared expenses, manage chores, set house rules, and keep everyone on the same page. Available on iOS and Android.