Cost to rent a room

Firefly

I'm getting a lodger! :j

I've got my friends daughter coming to live with us while she studies at university locally. She got a place through clearing and did the 'student' thing a few years ago, but dropped out, so is determined to study her way through this course.

As she was late applying, halls are full, hence the offer that she has willingly accepted that she can stay here. DS2 and I rattle round in this house and would be happy to have the company.

I'm not worried about her staying; I shared a flat with her mum for many years in my youth. She's a delight. What I do need to know is how much rent to charge her. She's keen that this is a 'proper' arrangement and although I don't want to profit from her staying, I can't afford to 'keep' her. She'd like to eat with us as a family so I've suggested that I work out a cost for a 'full board' option.

Any suggestions as to what you'd be happy to pay for full board in a friendly house with all mod cons?

RachelRa

I would ask her what she can afford...

Firefly

She isn't in a financially favourable position and doesn't have parents to contribute towards her upkeep so will be supporting herself. She aims to get a job as soon as possible.

I know she'll contribute by helping out around the house which will be invaluable to me, but she's keen that I'm not supporting her financially and that she pays a fair rate for her keep.

I'm not sure what a fair rate is.

Gemmzie

I'm pretty sure there's a limit you can charge before it affects CTC if you get that. The benefits board should know

currynchips

£150-200 per month, and just get her to add the food she wants to your weekly shopping list.
She seems fairly decent so won't take the mick, whilst you are really helping her out with a room, and with a lower rent than she would pay anywhere else.

FreheitOverture

I'm paying £195 pcm at the moment which is in a 3 bedroom house and does not include bills or anything. I would say around £40-50p/w would be reasonable although maybe more to cover bills. I paid £72 in my first year for a dump.

pavlovs_dog

if you look up the website of the uni she will be attending you should be able to find out how much she would have been paying for different types of uni accomodation. you can use that to give you a guide as to how much is reasonable to charge her.

other things to consider - how much is your water/gas/electric/food/phone bill likely to increase by? can you get a reduction on your council tax because of her student status? what house rules do you want to lay down?

melancholly

have a browse on gumtree in your area and see what the ads say there for rooms. then you'll have an idea what the going rate is and decide how much lower you want to go. you could also have a look at the uni website to see how much halls would cost - then you'll see how much money you're saving her!

Bubbles_Blossom_Buttercup

I paid £65 for a room at uni which was uncatered (until i moved home!)

However at home i am now paying my mum £200 per month and then i pay for anything i perticularly want, like if i want a spesific brand of coke (for example) i will pay for it.

My friend lived in halls for the entire year last year and was only entitled to the maintenance loan and with paying £65 a week in rent and food on top of that she was in her overdraft in freshers week! Shes got a job now though and is still strugglng.

So i would recommend £200 a month is fair.And if she want anything special, food wise, she should pay for it.

mboro

Good on ya! Firefly. Very decent of you, with your support it sounds like she has a fighting chance this time round. (no more partying)

I pay £200 inc bills, pcm. So imo £150-200 is reasonable.

[Deleted User]

It depends where you are and what your including, if anything, in the rent. I pay £225 per month including all bills except phone, this is a very good deal however as my housemates step-Dad is the landlord.