Dear Miss Emily:

I'm in college and I've been living with my boyfriend, who lives with 4 of his friends. I would pay for water, electric, and cable, and I would even clean the apartment as a "thank you" for letting me stay there.  However, now his roommates are asking me to pay rent.  I would agree if I had my own room to live in, instead of sharing with my boyfriend, or if I was taking up a lot of space in the living room.  What they said I am paying for is for the use of the kitchen, living room, and bathroom.  But aren't I already paying for that through water and electric? I don't know what to do.  If I refuse to pay, they're going to make living awkward for my boyfriend and they might even kick me out.  But if I do pay, I would be disappointed in myself for letting them bullying me into it.  What should I do?!

---------------------------Miss Emily's advice--------------------

It seems a tad unfair because you are bunking with your boyfriend, but you want to stay with him in his room, and they think the use of the house is shared equally. Therefore, I would anti-up. The rent is divided by 6, as well as the utilities. It they want the apartment cleaned  by you, you should get a cut in the rent.  This will take the pressure off you, and put more on them to keep the place cleaned. Now you can strut around there like you, partially, own the place!