General Chat

To be honest i've never payed my parents rent, but I pay £90 a week rent for a self- catering ensuite study bedroom in a shared flat on the uni campus and then have my food bills on top. You could try working out what it would cost for him to move out and feed himself and then under cut it. At the end of the day id he refuses to pay you rent, he could always move out, pay more and deal with the land lord. Forgot to say that I do pay for shopping once in every 3-4 weeks (4 of us at home when I'm there) but mum tries to pay me back every time!

I'm not sure how you can get through to him, he obviously didn't expect to have to pay his keep. maybe run through how much it costs to feed him, then a bit about utility bills. Then show him how much it would cost to rent a flat. I don't think you can ask a realistic figure from him unless he is earning good money. actually whatw e did with ours, we took money off both of them for their keep, then when they bought their first house, daughter was married and 20 in 1981 and son was 19 and single in1986, we gave all we had taken back to them (we had kept it in a separate building society account. we didn't really want their money but wanted them to feel theyw ere paying their way. Ann glos

Hi BB, that sounds reasonable, he just doesn't have any idea about adult responsibility. Because he works in a hotel he doesn't often eat main meals here and of course he's out with friends a lot; I said to him that the home is still here for him to uses when he needs it and therefore he should contribute.

How about charging him 20% of what he takes home. You can then decide to save this for him if that is an option (without him knowing) And return it at some point in the future when you think its appropriate. Young people today need all the help they can get into understanding finances as an Independant Financial Adviser and father of two young daughters I see the pitfalls of this age/time of no savings. Regards, Lester

Going back a long time now. When my son started work he was on a YTS and got £40 per week, he used to give me £10 no quibles. I did do his packing out of this. So I should imagine a similar percentage wouldn't be asking too much. When he left home 4 year ago he was giving us £30. Never heard a complaint form him. Think he knew he was a good thing. It is best they contribute something as it teaches them the value of money, my lad lives on his own in his own house now and thanks me for showing him the right attitude to money. If he moans tell him OK buy your own food and do your own laundry etc. Germaine x

Our grandaughter when she first came to live with us 5 years ago wasnt earning that much,but we felt that she should contribute to the household as anything we spent providing for her was extra. we both retired so on pensions. We charged her eighty pounds a month which she was happy with. It covered everything .food ,washing(which she has a lot of!!) and her room. I did stipulate tho that she did her ironing & keep her room clean. Shirley

depends what you do for him V what he earns...and what he spends it on! ok, so he flips his lid, food doesnt grow on trees...well...ok...

I used to pay my mum 25% of what i brought home every week,not a set sum...its still at lot cheaper than what he would be paying if he ran a house BB xx

My 18 yr-old son turned down his university place offers and works part time in a hotel. He has no plans to go into any kind of higher education at the moment and my husband thinks we should charge him board. The trouble is, every time we mention any sum to him he flips his lid! Can anone steer me in the right direction here?