How much board would you charge a 17 year old?

BitterAndTwisted

I wouldn't expect any parent to take a penny from their own 17 year old children if they're in full-education rather than working but the OP is not receiving any child benefit for this young person, and they've said that they cannot afford to support him totally from their own resources.

Therefore it's only fair that this kid makes a contribution of some sort from their £71 a week. 71 quid a week that their own children don't have as pocket-money and probably never will. IS is not pocket-money!

scooby088

msb5262 wrote: »

Do you really think a 17 year old at school should be doing this? To me it sounds all wrong!

I think a 17 year old will never learn the harsh realities of adulthood if things are always given to them on a plate.

zzzLazyDaisy

scooby088 wrote: »

I think a 17 year old will never learn the harsh realities of adulthood if things are always given to them on a plate.

It sounds to me as if this particular 17 yr old has already learned a lot more about 'harsh realities' than most young people of his age.

cte1111

I would say £35-40 is about right. I agree with other people that say you should sit down and explain what this is paying for, alongside saying something like how glad you are to have him stay and happy to help him.

Dunroamin

maman wrote: »

I would certainly agree with not 'charging' offspring to live at home but sadly OP can't afford to do that. I must admit to being ignorant of the benefit system but will IS continue when he returns to school? Are his parents claiming CB when he's living with you? Surely that can't be allowed.

Reading between the lines it sounds as if this young man has had a tough time and OP is kindly giving him the stability and family life he needs while he works towards university. If the boy is amenable then I'd take ALL the money and save it for him except for the CB equivalent. He'd obviously have any earnings from a job just as your son would. Then you have the money ready for when he needs a laptop or clothes or whatever. I'd have thought he needs a laptop now, not wait until university.

I think that's a bit extreme - the OP's doing well to be putting a roof over his head, it certainly isn't her responsibility to buy him a laptop out of his keep!

jellyhead

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I wouldn't expect any parent to take a penny from their own 17 year old children if they're in full-education rather than working but the OP is not receiving any child benefit for this young person, and they've said that they cannot afford to support him totally from their own resources.

Therefore it's only fair that this kid makes a contribution of some sort from their £71 a week. 71 quid a week that their own children don't have as pocket-money and probably never will. IS is not pocket-money!

I'm a muppet, it's £61, not £71. £44-ish income support and £17 wages. Income support is £56.20 then they take the wages off but they ignore the first £5 per week of wages.

My son gets £10 a week pocket money, and depending on his college timetable he can do some of my paper round.

Brighton_belle

Jellyhead, I just wanted to say (and I have read your previous threads on this matter) what a wonderful, generous compassion thing you and your family are doing taking this lad in.
I quite get you wishing to keep his options open, while giving him a nurturing sense of family at the same time (along side the very practical roof over his head), and that he wants to be part of your family not some lodger getting his own food when the kitchen is empty - seems clear to me you are already doing this mothering.

I think £30 - 40 might be about right (that way he keeps his earnings for essentials), alongside lessons in budgeting for needs before wants and saving for his future needs - I am quite sure you have already sat him down and talked about this is a way that makes him feels valued, quite different from the way his own parents abused him.
The fact is, your other kids are now going without and I feel for your younger son, without any implied criticism of this. It does show that you all have something beyond price; the ability to love and care for others outside of your immediate family, even if it means sacrifice.
I think it completely legitimate to take something from him, and I suspect that will make him feel good too.

Spendless

I think how I'd do it is to start with the bills that haven't gone up due to an additional person in the house (eg mortgage, council tax, water if rates and so on) and take them out of the equation. I'd then look at the bills that have gone up eg groceries and utilities and work out if I could how much by. I would also include an amount that you've had to pay out so far to provide him with a bed and clothes etc.Thirdly I'd consider what I do expect him to fund from now on, fares, lunches, all clothes, school supplies?

Once I'd got all the figures in front of me and could see how much it was costing me against how much he receives and what I expected him to fund out of that money I think it would be easier to work out. I know some people won't agree as I wouldn't be charging for 'rent' as such just all or a contribution to increased costs but for me it would give a balance of wanting to help out whilst not solely funding it.

maman

Dunroamin wrote: »

I think that's a bit extreme - the OP's doing well to be putting a roof over his head, it certainly isn't her responsibility to buy him a laptop out of his keep!

maman wrote: »

I would certainly agree with not 'charging' offspring to live at home but sadly OP can't afford to do that. I must admit to being ignorant of the benefit system but will IS continue when he returns to school? Are his parents claiming CB when he's living with you? Surely that can't be allowed.

Reading between the lines it sounds as if this young man has had a tough time and OP is kindly giving him the stability and family life he needs while he works towards university. If the boy is amenable then I'd take ALL the money and save it for him except for the CB equivalent. He'd obviously have any earnings from a job just as your son would. Then you have the money ready for when he needs a laptop or clothes or whatever. I'd have thought he needs a laptop now, not wait until university.

I was suggesting that OP saves his money for him and buys the laptop from that. I don't think that's harsh.

hayday75

I would charge as little as you could afford to ,your only 17 once