My boyfriend has been hinting at moving in together. I don’t mind, it’s been a year and a half plus his lease is ending soon.

I own my apartment, it was my grandmother’s until she passed recently and it’s already paid off.
What would I charge him to live here? Charge him half of co-op fees and maintenance?

Be nice and respectful, I am genuinely asking / I’m like still in mourning.

If u guys spoke about marriage or u think it’s going there I likely wouldn’t charge. But I would ask him to help with groceries and other expenses. Or utilities. And if u guys are close to marriage, maybe can also wait till engaged so u don’t feel used. But of course whatever feels right to u! And also if he’s not paying rent and y guys see a future together, hopefully he’s using these savings for ur guys future life.

I don't see anything wrong with splitting the fees and taxes. I think that's 100% reasonable. But just be careful that he is not just moving in with you to save money. If you both see a future together than I say go for it. If not, it will be hard to get rid of him when it's time for him to go.

Half of what you pay to live there I would say and he can pay anything it costs to move in

Yes, half of co-op fees and maintenance is fair

Thanks everyone for such sound feedback!
I’m going to have him split the costs of living there (co-op fees, maintenance, tax, utilities). It’s only fair and in the larger scheme, I’m not profiting / it’s a third of what he pays now.

Appreciate the respectful and fast answers! 😊

How much more does it cost to have him live there with you? If zero, then that would be what I charge him. Seems weird to charge your boyfriend rent to live with you. Have him contribute in other ways like paying for the groceries, dining out, entertainment etc

Half of co-op

One other thing beyond splitting coop fees might be agreeing to both contribute $X to a joint fund since you’ll both be saving quite a lot. Depends on your joint financial goals but maybe it’s a travel fund, brokerage, downpayment, wedding, etc

All so helpful! And so many things I haven’t thought about like him moving in, etc. I wasn’t sure what to offer towards that but I should just let him handle it right?

For what it will cost for 50% or expenses, it’s going to be like 60% cost savings for him anyways.

Do you think I need some form of a legal agreement? Like I don’t plan on splitting ever, I really like him, but just in case?

Utilities too and towards property tax.

Update!!
Hi everyone, your feedback was all super helpful and insightful for me. :)

We had the discussion and he was more than willing to cover half of expenses. He was even offering more than the split amount but I told him to save it in case I want a ring later 😊
Living together will help formalize my feelings and is a good test run for marriage. If we move closer towards marriage then of course we will get a joint account for bills/shared expenses but for now we’re good. My brother drafted an agreement which we both signed.

We are both really excited for this next step 😌

Maybe it’s the choice of words, but “charging” your partner sounds weird to me, maybe I’m old fashioned but if I were to live in the apartment anyway regardless of him moving in I would just ask him to buy groceries here and there or pay for fees/maintenance once in a while, and he would pay for our dine-outs anyway. Having some sort of “charges” or agreements seems very transactional and would kill the romance (at least in my book).

Find out what it would cost to rent a similar apartment in your area, and charge him half of that. Maybe with a small discount.

Two scenarios:
1. You guys break up, in which case you aren't out of pocket the money he should have paid
2. You guys marry, in which case you two are no better or worse off if he had paid $0 or $10k a month

I agree with Accenture 1. Over and out!

You should charge him the fair market value with a slight discount. What does half of whatever similar Apts rent for? Then take off like 10-20%.

Go 50/50 on everything.

I would recommend a checking account that you use to pay all apt expenses. Both of you would contribute into it And apt expenses get paid out of it.

I say split everything if y’all are living together, otherwise, it’s him living with you for free

Don’t charge him. Let him move in and see what he would offer.

Another thought: is the apartment in your name or in a trust. If it’s in a trust that’s in your name, he’ll have less claim to it

Half of fees and maintenance.