Should 17yr old (not studying) pay rent?

peachyprice

Am I being thick? I don't understand what his age has to do with anything.

If he's not studying, you're not recieving any benefits for him and he's earning he should contribute regardless of whether he's 17 or 18. Nothing significant is going to change on his 18th birthday.

Jai_M

my rents went with: rent free until 18, then £10/week if unemployed and signing JSA, and £20 a week if working. Sort of as an incentive to get off JSA and get a job as jsa would leave me £35 odd quid, but a job £185. Then of course later on, i became a taxi service to my rents. So its all swings and roundabouts.

vax2002

Yep, set him some board, the alternatives can be found in the flat to rent section.

minerva_windsong

I agree with the rent (maybe as a proportion of his income, going on the old 'third to rent, third to save, third to spend'?) or chores suggestions - when I lived at home after university and had a job I offered to pay my parents rent but they wouldn't take it, so (unasked I should add!) instead I did various jobs at home to help out like cleaning the house, hoovering, making dinner etc to contribute.

Desperado99

brucefan1962 wrote: »

Don't receive any benefits, child benefit for him has just been stopped. Also, his girlfriend spends 3/4 nights a week at ours, he'll spend 1 night a week at hers, if we're lucky!

I'm thinking of saying 20% of his wages, up to maximum of £25 per week. I think that's reasonable, he thinks he shouldn't have to pay until he's an adult

I think that seems fair... especially as his girlfriend is staying over too.

It's my belief that if he is no longer in education, then technically he is an adult (although I also believe in 'my house, my rules').

onlyroz

brucefan1962 wrote: »

Is trying to make a career as singer/songwriter (yes, I know, chance in a million of being succesful).

By all means encourage him in his ambitions, but he also needs to be realistic. While he is waiting for his mega record deal he needs a job that pays real money and he needs to be contributing to the household.

I have a very good friend who wants to break into television and the stage. He's still very much actively persuing this, with modest success, but he also has a job that "pays the bills" that allows him the flexibility to do performances as they crop up.

Ravenlady_2

brucefan1962 wrote: »

Just wondering what people think about this. Our 17yr old son (18 in Feb 2012) left college this year (was not allowed to return for 2nd year). Is trying to make a career as singer/songwriter (yes, I know, chance in a million of being succesful).

When he was in college, was only doing 14 hours of study per week but never managed to get a weekend/part time job, mainly because he didn't try very hard!

Has now got some casual work, (not cash in hand, but as and when required).

So, the big question is, do we charge rent or wait until he's 18?

He's never been good with money, spends it mentally before he's got it, and has blown half the money we've saved for him since he was a baby. What are your thoughts please?

I would charge him 1/3rd of his weekly pay, regardless of what he gets paid.

Is he in a band already? what music genre is he aiming to break in to and after explaining to him that its the lowest paid job EVER is he still serious about it?

He COULD well make £100 a gig, divided by the rest of the band, take off your drinks, transport and fuel....sometimes you actually end up paying to play your own gig which is why musicians have no option but to get a main job, my OH gigged for 8 years and failed to make a penny, even now once they cracked a deal they still dont make a huge amount, most record companies pay you twice a year or a small weekly sub of around £60 for your fist album.

brucefan1962

Ravenlady wrote: »

I would charge him 1/3rd of his weekly pay, regardless of what he gets paid.

Is he in a band already? what music genre is he aiming to break in to and after explaining to him that its the lowest paid job EVER is he still serious about it?

He COULD well make £100 a gig, divided by the rest of the band, take off your drinks, transport and fuel....sometimes you actually end up paying to play your own gig.

Thanks for your comments.

The reason I was going to charge a percentage is he is only casual, so may work 5 days a week, but just as likely to be 1 or even none!

He's not in a band - is a rapper. HAs had no musical education, can't play an instrument or read music, but has a manager locally who's backing him and has a performace next week at a local venue, with a lot of VIP guests apparantly. So yes, we do need to be encouraging but also realistic

rising_from_the_ashes

Absolutely yes!

I started paying rent when I was 16, at college and earning £40 a week - it was only £10 but it was something.

I know that it didn't cover even my food, but it did make me feel like I was contributing something.

A percentage seems a good idea but I'm wondering if this may put him off doing more hours if offered some weeks as it means he'd have to pay you more (sorry, thinking how teenagers minds work!).

brucefan1962

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

A percentage seems a good idea but I'm wondering if this may put him off doing more hours if offered some weeks as it means he'd have to pay you more (sorry, thinking how teenagers minds work!).

Good point - will have to think about the best way to get some money out of him:rotfl:

Thanks to everybody for your valued comments - at least I know it's the right thing to do.