renting a house--how to split?

[liamsaunt]

I'm sticking this over here because it's for an upcoming non-USVI trip.

John and I have rented a house for an upcoming trip that we are taking my sister and her kids on. A longtime family friend has decided that he would like to join us. We are getting together on Saturday to hash out the details including his share of the costs.

What would you say is the fairest way to share the cost of the house? Note that the house is one price--it does not matter how many people are staying in it. Should the cost be split equally among the adults (4 ways), among everyone, including the children (6 ways), or something else? I'm leaning towards splitting it 4 ways. The other thought was for John and I to just pay for the whole thing since we were planning on this cost before he decided to join us anyway.

Thanks!

[waterguy]

Well if you ar going to pay for the whole thing could I come too. This is a touchy subject if the new preson has never had kids they will probaly want it split 6 ways. Me I'd spilt it 4 and not tell them the whole costs.
Tom

[Steve S]

In a similar sitch a couple of years ago we split it counting the kids as a half. 5 ways in your case with Sis paying for 2/5s.

[liamsaunt]

Two diverging opinions already. I will add two more pieces of information: John and I are paying all costs for my sister and the children to go on this trip, so if we divide by 6ths, we are paying 5/6s of the cost. And, that I have vacationed with this family friend before, and he is a dearheart, but he is also a little....well...cheap! Example: we once took a vacation that included him, as well as John's brother. We paid all of John's brothers expenses because at the time of the trip he was a full time student. My friend, seeing that we were not asking John's brother for $$$, was not forthcoming with his share of the expenses. He paid some, but I think we ended up being shorted about $500. That is kind of why I don't feel like giving him a free ride on the house, which I might have been inclined to do otherwise. I've forgiven him, but have not forgotten.

[RickG]

We do a couple of these per year. We split the cost by bedroom and people get to pick their bedrooms in the order that they pay. We also do a kitty where each person puts in money ahead of time for the shared expenses.

Cheers, RickG

[jdw]

Hey Becky - First, let me say that you are a generous sister and aunt! We usually count the kids as 1/2 - so your sister's children (there are two of them?) would count as one. Since the newcomer doesn't know that you are paying for your sister and her children, then tell him the price should be divided by five. Does that make sense?

[Nic in KC]

Having traveled with several people who always seem to "not have enough money with them" and ending up paying for them, here's my opinion. Since you gave us the background. I would just split it 4 ways, give him the total and be done. You'll likely end up covering some other expense during the trip, but I've found if they have to give you a certain amount of money for the lodging, at least you get that amount. I have a couple of friends who never have cash and therefore I end up covering meals, drinks, etc.

That said...we usually split the cost up by bedrooms so if the kids will be in your sister's room, then that would validate the 4 way split!

[flip-flop]

By bedroom seems fairest based on your information. If there are 4 bedrooms being used, if he's using 1 he pays 1/4. You pay 3/4.

I think any reasonable person would be happy with that.

Our 09 trip we are staying in a 5 bedroom house, we are paying 2/5 because we need two rooms. Doesn't matter that my kids are kids. They still are taking up the space.

When they were little enough to be in my room and their was no additional villa rental charge associated with them (most don't charge until they are 6) then I'd not be keen on paying an equal split for them.

In 07 we had a 4 bedroom house, I offered for my friend and her husband to join us - they paid 1/4th as they were using just 1 of the rooms.

You can get into all kinds of weird breakdowns based on how nice the rooms are etc, but typically it comes out in the wash.

[JT]

In my next life I want you to be my Mary Poppins!
Just out of curiousity, is Liam on this trip?

[b-as-u-r]

My opinion is in agreement with several others; by the bedroom. Good luck and have fun!!! Ali~

[chicagoans]

With you in the kitchen, your friend is going to get some awesome meals. Don't be shy about charging him for his share of the house! Per bedroom sounds fair. I hope he dries some dishes for you.

[liamsaunt]

Thanks guys. The house has seven bedrooms. We will be using five: one for me and John, one for my sister, one for Liam (yes, JT, Liam is coming), one for my lovely niece Caileen, (who is Liam's sister, but I was liamsaunt online before she was born) and one for our friend. I've stayed in this house before, and was going to give my friend the master suite because it is on a floor seperate from the rest of the bedrooms. I figured since the rest of us are related by blood or marriage he gets to have the most privacy by default.

It looks like the consensus is that we should pay 5/6ths. Sigh...OK. Thanks a lot people! (just kidding! )

[gobucs]

Are you buying all the food too? if so charge him a couple extra dollars IMO