<prompt> Human: I own a decent apartment and pay around 1500 a month on the mortgage and 300 on utilities totaling 1800. Thats not a whole lot per month since I put down a large down payment and got a low interest rate on my mortgage. My girlfriend who has put no money down pays me rent equal to half of the payments on the apartment a month. Thats a good deal in my opinion because if I were to rent the place out it would easily go for 2400-2600 a month or 1200-1300 for her. So my question is this; is there any precedence for her getting equity in the apartment instead of paying me rent? It doesnt feel totally right, but that being said I sort of understand her point of view that she doesnt want to be left with nothing if we break up. Before we met she was living rent free with her parents and was saving up for her own place. Whats a fair way to tackle this?  <response>: she doesnt want to be left with nothing if we break up She would be left with nothing if she rented an apartment anywhere else. This should be no different. If you go along with it and do break up, whats supposed to happen? She gets to what, sue you for her money back? Get a lien on your property? No, thats stupid. 