Dear Wendyl,
I recently got kicked out of my flat – I didn’t do anything bad, my landlord just decided to sell it – so my best friend suggested I move into the unit she had just bought. We have been getting along fine, but she needs to do some work
on the unit – fixing up the kitchen and stuff like that.
She has suggested, instead of paying rent, I fund those renovations as she doesn’t have the savings to pay for them. It seems like a good idea, but another friend suggested it could get nasty later on, since I would be essentially investing in her house. What do you think?
Sylvia, by email
Dear Sylvia,
It will only get nasty if you insist on claiming some ownership of the property. If you don’t, then it would be a great way to help a friend out who doesn’t have any cash flow. I suggest you both go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau and get a lawyer to draw up a simple agreement protecting her and you from any issues that might occur in the future.
Send your questions to [email protected] or write to Agony Aunt, NZWW, PO Box 90119, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142