working non dependant refusing to pay rent

birdi

Hi I hope someone can offer advice.
I'm a single mum of 3 on benefits due to being a carer for my daughter & mum.
I have a 20 year old son living with me, who is working & earning approx 900 per four weeks.
He refuses to pay anything toward his rent & food claiming that he cant afford it.
Obviously this means myself & two younger children are suffering severly financially.
I have asked my son on many occaisions to stump up or move out... and all i get is " i cant afford it"
Is there any way I can legally make him do either?
I'm at my wits end now as this is beginning to affect my health, which if it gets any worse will impact on my dependants lives too

hermanmunster_3

stop buying him food?

Beki88

My mum has just had exactly the same problem with my brother. he has left her in a grands worth of debt with the council, and left her ill.
Nothing she said or did made him care, the council couldnt force him to pay my mum anything as his name wasnt on the tenancy it was hers so she was responsible. Tell him he has to pay or you will kick him out...and mean it!

elsien

Put his stuff outside and change the locks? Or at least make it very clear that that is what will happen in 4 weeks (or whatever timescale you deem reasonable) if he doesn't start to pay up.
Draw up a budget itemising how much he costs you in food, electric, laundry, council tax etc, and ask him to think about what it would cost him if he was living independently. Then give him the choice - does he want to pay you a fair amount or take himself off elsewhere.
Only you have to show him you mean it or he won't take you seriously.

devotee

elsien wrote: »

Put his stuff outside and change the locks? Or at least make it very clear that that is what will happen in 4 weeks (or whatever timescale you deem reasonable) if he doesn't start to pay up.
Draw up a budget itemising how much he costs you in food, electric, laundry, council tax etc, and ask him to think about what it would cost him if he was living independently. Then give him the choice - does he want to pay you a fair amount or take himself off elsewhere.
Only you have to show him you mean it or he won't take you seriously.

As above, and stop doing his food, laundry etc.

Werdnal

I would agree with above too - go on strike and do not do any chores, cooking etc for him until he starts paying his way.

Allocate him his own kitchen cupboard for his food which he needs to buy for himself. Keep his washing separate and allow him to do 2 washes a week for himself, using his own washing powder. Do not clean his room, change his bedding etc.

You have to be cruel to be kind, otherwise he'll still be living at home and sponging off you when he is 41, like my brother is doing to my parents :mad:

Incidentally, the "cannot afford it" excuse is !!!!. My hubby gets less than that a month himself, and even with my part-time work, we don't bring in much more between us!

jc808

Kick the cheeky little !!!! out - I gave my mum just over £400 a month when I lived with her and i was an only child!!!!

FATBALLZ

Werdnal wrote: »

You have to be cruel to be kind, otherwise he'll still be living at home and sponging off you when he is 41, like my brother is doing to my parents :mad:

Agree with this, I have two brothers who are 30ish and still living at home and sponging.

If he won't contribute just give him a date, and tell him on that date he must move out. If he refuses when that date rolls around call the police to get him moved out, he has no legal rights to live with you.

skellysgirl

Do you have a shed?

I'd suggest a few cussions and a battery power light

neverdespairgirl

If he's earning £900 a month, he can most certainly pay up or get out. I'd tell him so, straight.

theartfullodger

Son sounds a complete b****ard of the sort we don't want here..


No offence but, do the benefits people know about his income/status & if you receive HB/LHA would the payment of HB be compromised by his paying you anything??

You can receive up to £4250 pa (about £80/week, £354/month..) rent under the rent-a-room scheme without paying tax but anything over than (eg .jc808's £400/month) would have to be declared and tax possibly paid. Benefit entitlement is an entirely different matter to rent-a-room..

Cheers!

Artful