Should my daughters contribute to the house?

Fatkitten

I am a single full time working parent and both my daughters live at home. One works part-time and is going to Uni in Sept but is still going to be living at home and continuing to work part time. the other daughter has started work. I have now lost CB and CTC and i was wondering how i go about working out how much they should contribute to the house as my wages alone cannot support all three of us? your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

dingdongsaving

I'd say a def. yes. Esp. for the daughter who's staying at home when starting uni. When I went to university I got the tuition fee loan and small grant as well as being entitled to all sorts of loans.

I didn't take a penny from my parents and my loan is all paid off. If I'd lived at home I'd at least have expected to cover my child benefit/credits that had been lost by me staying at home after 18...plus my food costs and maybe even a utility.

The key will be to show her what you spend each month and how you budget for each thing...to let her know that what she's about to start contributing is just a 'taster' to help you and help her prepare for the real world.

I'm not sure how old your other daughter is, but if she works she can certainly contribute to groceries...maybe a percentage of her earnings?

xxx

Fatkitten

Thank you for your reply DD. Yes my daughter going to UNI has now been accepted for her grant. My eldest is 20 and youngest 18. xxx

miss_kc

Hi I think its only fair that your daughters contribute to their own living costs when they start earning. I would have chat with them and work out between you what would be a fair contribution. When I lived at home I paid about a third of my earnings to my mum, leaving around a third to save and a third to spend, It certainly helped me when I did move out as I was used to budgeting

kingfisherblue

As you are a single mum, presumably you used to get the 25% single person discount on your council tax. Your student daughter will be excluded from paying council tax, but your working daughter will have a non-dependent amount to pay. I think she should pay this in addition to her keep.

My daughter is working and living at home. She pays board, plus her council tax contribution. She also helps around the house, looks after her brothers occasionally, and does most of the cooking (I can't stand cooking, although I am quite happy to chop and steam the veg).

Fatkitten

Thank you all for your comments and opinions they are being taken on board and are much appreciated

DigForVictory

After 16, learning or earning, they need to understand that a roof over their head is not free. If you have not got a budget to show them, draw one up! Then help them complete theirs. Of course they should pay, and the "how much" you may be able to leave to their generosity...

OrkneyStar

Fatkitten wrote: »

I am a single full time working parent and both my daughters live at home. One works part-time and is going to Uni in Sept but is still going to be living at home and continuing to work part time. the other daughter has started work. I have now lost CB and CTC and i was wondering how i go about working out how much they should contribute to the house as my wages alone cannot support all three of us? your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

When I left school and went to Uni I got a small grant and some wages from a Saturday job. From that I paid my mum rent. Once I had a half decent job I paid more rent and bought a good lot of the food (and cooked). My sister, paid rent too, while a student (from her grant which was more generous then, she didn't work, was allowed to sign on in the summer too in those days!), and later while working.
Even if your wages could support you all I'd suggest taking a token amount, teach them that they are now old enough to be paying their own way.
Hope it all works out ok.

stevenjhepburn

I would say your eldest daughter should pay market rate for her room (check spareroom.co.uk) plus a portion of food and bills unless she is on a very low wage (i.e. an apprentice or some such).

Your university daughter should pay somewhere between that same amount and whatever she can afford from her grants/loans without leaving her penniless.

If they are unhappy with that, let them investigate options for independent living.

If the money you get from them allows you to save some each month I would save it up and help them out as and when needed (for a first car, big holiday, weddings, etc.)

Kayalana99

I really do think children should pay their way - so no question esp if you are struggling to charge them rent.

Personally as long as I can afford it, whilst in education will provide them with a free home. If they are to work & study (unless studying part time) I would see this as a postive thing and not want to take money off them for being pro-active.

Any money I did take in rent, I would put in a savings account for when their older (I plan on saving 20k between my two kids for house depoists or whatever not for when they are 18)

This being said - only if I could afford it.

I might not have this luxury of being able to put their rent for anything but bills..

SmlSave

I think they should pay something at least.

I think I only paid about 10% of my wage to my Mum which was nothing now I think about it but Dad had a good job by then.

My OH paid something like £200 for his room and food and then paid extra to get his clothes washed, ironed etc.

Thinking back on what we paid our parents compared to what we pay now for our house we were absolutely loaded! (this is 4 years ago)

Don't feel bad for asking your daughters to contribute