Charging rent for my 16 year old

zzzLazyDaisy

This may or may not be suitable but it is just a suggestion.

When I was growing up, my Dad used to match our savings £ for £. The savings were in an account that we couldn't withdraw from and were to be used for a specific agreed purpose - in OP's case this could be Uni savings (I once saved up for a bike).

It really taught me the value of saving for something I wanted and rewarded me because I could see the savings growing. (my Dad could have afforded to buy me the bike, but I loved that bike and was really proud of it - I doubt I would have had the same sense of achievement if he had just given it to me).

So if OP shifts some of the school expenses to her son - which is only right since that is what EMA is for - possibly this would free up some money to give him back as an incentive scheme to encourage him to save for university, rather then just doing it for him.

Just a thought

Dx

pesky85

I was going to suggest the pound for pound thing. My dad has done something similar when I was younger and asking him if I could go on holiday with friends (for example). He would match what I saved.

Shelldean

in our house the whole time we recieve CB for them then they are our responsibility, once that stops then they are expected to contribute towards household expenses.
DD got EMA ( full amount) and was expected to use it towards books and other school things. Twins currently in 6th form get NO help as due to the new system we're just over the limits 9and I do mean JUST) One twin works earning appox 120 every two wks, the other is a lazy sod!!!! Working twins did ask did we want anything towards the household things and we said no.

tooldle

My parents expected me to contribute whilst studying for my A'levels (16-18) as I had a part time job of approx15 hours or so each week. More often than not, I would be given a list of household items to buy, rather than just handing over cash.

JimRofl

When I was 16 and in college full-time I didn't have a job, but at that age if getting a Saturday job ment paying my parents, I would have been pretty annoyed. When I turned 16 it was a 'right, you're on your own now' situation. I payed nothing to my mum, but my travel, lunch, luxuries, etc was my responsibility.

If you still want something off him but don't wanna charge him 'rent', assign him a bill, tell him he pays the gas, electric or whatever.

JanCee

16 is too young to be paying rent. 18 and in full employment is when you should expect a contribution.

Treevo

Does your partner work? You're receiving various (no doubt substantial) benefits for your son as well as child maintenance from his father and yet your parter expects your 16 year old son to pay rent? You've found yourself a keeper there!

traceya89

my daughter is 17 and works 2 part time jobs in addition to going to college. i have kept her for 17 year and would not expect her to contribute towards the house hold until she is at least working full time after going to university. with her part time wage she buys little luxuries i would have to pay for if she did not have her jobs. i am not well off and i did not want her to get a job, but i do appreciate the effort she has made and therefore i dont want to take her money off her for "board"

Dukesy

EMA = Education Maintenance Allowance. It is there to help fund his education - travel to and from school, school supplies etc, not to be paid as rent. I do appreciate that you say you could put it into an account for him to use when he goes to uni, but I think you need to discuss this with him, allowing him to put his views across. I also think that you REALLY shouldn't call it 'rent' if you are planning to give it back to him eventually. If this is to be the case, I think you should suggest to him that he has an ISA set up with a set amount going across from his current account every week/month - point out that if he saves X amount per month, he could have enough to buy a car or whatever in a couple of years. It just makes it sound less like you're taking his money away from him, and more like you're helping him.

Robin_TBW

Your best bet is to just have a discussion with him and talk to him about finances and his future and things like that. Don't use the word "rent" at any point. He'll see it as money he won't ever get back. Let him decide on how much he feels is a good amount to save and if he doesn't save enough then in the future he can look back on that mistake and sort himself accordingly. Don't do it all for him.

When it comes to him being 18 though, then charge him proper rent. Unless he goes off to Uni then don't.