I will avoid commenting on the payment aspect of this where he is living in the home that you are
paying even half of the utilities. If you all worked that out, fine.
If you are on fairly good terms, then it won't hurt to announce your imminent arrival. Don't feel
obligated to give 24 hours notice. An hour (or less if you just happen to be nearby) is reasonable.
Tell him you will give a courtesy call, but not request his permission to come. In this day of
cell phones, I think it is always best to let people know of your arrival.
I would stay out of the living area. He should have privacy. You really don't need to go into HIS place of
dwelling regardless of who owns it or pays for it. You should really only be going there to access
your stuff that should be separated into a basement or garage or suitable area away from his
living area. Living area would include kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom. I think you should
have to have his permission to enter these areas. If your things are intermixed throughout his
living area, then take them out. If you need to cross his living area to access your stuff, then 24 hours
would seem appropriate. Most lawyers would probably say you did need permission.
If those terms are not reasonable to him, then tell him to become your tenant with the right to
refuse entrance, but also paying you for your share of the home. Half of whatever you could get
for rent, plus the entire amount of utilities would be fair. That should bring him to reality. Otherwise,
if you both have lawyers, ask their advice. If he became a tenant, you would only access storage
spaces or give 24 hours notice if access for repairs or maintenance or viewing by buyers were needed to living space.
You would not be required to give ANY notice of entrance to storage spaces and you would
only access living spaces without 24 hours notice for emergencies. You would only access those
spaces for reasonable repairs or maintenance or viewings that helps sell the home. You would even need to
give notice before showing the house. See how complicated this could get if you both are not
reasonable. Easier to honor a simple request- even if it requires a full day's notice.
