Question
A man lives with his wife and children in the property which belongs to her. Whose responsibility is the rates, the water and electricity? Does he have to pay the wife rent? Who should pay for renovations?
Answer
The rates are the responsibility of the owner of the house. In this case it is the wife. Water and electricity are the responsibility of the husband. This expense is part of the wife's Nafqah. In fact, he equally benefits from the water and electricity.
If the wife demands rental, then it is incumbent for the husband to pay rent. Paying rent is part of her Nafqah.
If the husband wishes to effect renovations to the house, he should obtain consent from the owner (the wife), and enter into an agreement of some kind regarding the cost. He can do the renovations as a favour for his wife and children. However, if the wife requests the renovations, then he will be entitled to ask her to pay.
If the renovations are done without her consent, it will be regarded as a gift and he will have no claim.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 26 No 08
- PDF page
- 5
Verbatim verified against the source PDF
Appears under HAJJ AKBAR. This heading is the nearest headline at or before the page and is approximate. Do not cite it alone.