How much board should I be paying?

mumps

thorsoak wrote: »

That's not what I said .....I said that we did NOT include mortgage/council tax in the calculations, and also that we based their contributions upon what they were earning. The property was also chosen as the family home for the children concerned.

And not all parents are earning more than their offspring ....at the time I am referring to, my OH was on something not much more than NMW as he had to give up his profession due to ill-health and only able to work part-time.

thorsoak wrote: »

Whilst my children were AWAY at uni and came home during vacs, etc, we did not expect a contribution - although always expected them to pay for their own toiletries, car expenses etc. And of course, contributions to the supermarket shop were always gratefully appreciated.

Once uni was over and they were in paid employment, we sat down, went through the costs of running the home - lighting/heating, water, insurance, council tax, and general wear & tear replacements, we divided it by the no of people in the house (6) and worked out a figure based on 1/6th of the household costs - obviously the mortgage/mortgage insurance did not come into the equation. Based on whatever they were earning, we managed to arrive at figures which the current three who were working found fair.

But you did say you included council tax, you just excluded the mortgage/mortgage insurance. So you were including council tax and insurance which you would have paid anyway.

[Deleted User]

mumps wrote: »

But the OP isn't likely to be doing a job earning £600 a month on a PGCE is she? People I know who have done PGCE's haven't had time to work due to placements. We also don't know if the OP gets a grant or how much loan she gets. Most students I know get less than £7.5 k.

In reference to this, I work 20 hours a week, am full time at university and i get just over £4500 bursary and loan. I study business and i'm in my final year so this year I will be pushed with being able to work those hours but feel like I need to.

supersaver2

Is your family struggling at the moment for money OP?

I have a friend at work and he stayed at home whilst at uni and paid rent. Now he has finished and moved out and his Mum really struggled when he left as she relied on that contribution to keep her home, it was a shock when she lost that income. Having an extra person in the house doesn't costs that much extra, especially if you are buying your own food and aren't there often. Council tax and mortgage won't be affected by you living there, there shopping bill won't be, gas and electricity will be but not by much for one person and the water bill will only increase if they are water metered!

beckysbobbles1

I find it very disappointing that your parents are trying to charge you more money.

Surely you cost them no more now than you did when you were say 14 when you wasn't earning any money.

I accept that certain benefits stop when you are older but surely as your still in full time education, your Mum still receive child benefit? I don't know the rules regarding this as I don't have children.

Yes we all agree £150 is a cheap rent. However you will not be using £150 in utilities etc alone so I do find it unfair that your Mum wants to charge you more.

However what choice do you have?

samtoby

Part of the reason why many youngsters think they should have something for nothing is the fact they were never taught to budget at home. Part of growing up accepting responsibility and paying your way. It was one of the biggest lessons I learnt and the hard way. My Mum always paid for pretty much everything aside from a bit of cash here and there and when it came to me getting my own home I ended up in massive amounts of debt because I was used to my day to day costs being met by my Mum and luxuries myself. So when I moved out I couldn't afford both. If I had been like my friend and paid rent from when I worked I might be like her now and it a lovely home that she has nearly paid for outright!

I don't not love my son. He is everything to me, but if he chose to stay at home while at Uni I would be expecting the living costs charged by the uni or house share to stay at home.

In light of this situation though I believe your Mum should at least still be getting Child benefit for you and possibley Tax credits dependant on the household income. If not maybe I can see why?

thorsoak

Parents cannot claim child benefit/child tax credits etc once a child goes to university as the child is then deemed to be self-funding.

thorsoak

Sorry - should have said I'm talking about Council/Poll Tax ....when each individual over the age of 18, regardless of whether in education/work paid Council tax:( .

When it reverted back to household only paying CT, then we disregarded it!

liney

mumps wrote: »

But the OP isn't likely to be doing a job earning £600 a month on a PGCE is she? People I know who have done PGCE's haven't had time to work due to placements. We also don't know if the OP gets a grant or how much loan she gets. Most students I know get less than £7.5 k.

I did a PGCE, not the OP.

She is getting 4.5k Finance, plus £600 per month from her job. This is £11700 per year tax free income, and she is complaining about paying upto £170 per month rent which works out at around 17.5% of her income.

[Deleted User]

liney wrote: »

I did a PGCE, not the OP.

She is getting 4.5k Finance, plus £600 per month from her job. This is £11700 per year tax free income, and she is complaining about paying upto £170 per month rent which works out at around 17.5% of her income.

Sorry but when did I 'complain' I started this thread to gain advice on the matter which is why the thread is called 'how much board should I be paying' not 'why should I pay board' and I've been very open to opinions but I think it's wrong you are saying I'm complaining as I really don't think I am.

I'm not going to re-explain the fact that my Dad wants me to save my bursary/loan either and technically the loan I have to pay back with interest so might be 'tax free' now but il be paying it back from next year.

duchy

Jade.... Correct me if I'm wrong but what you're actually doing is instead of using your loan/grant to live on -you are saving it all towards the future and living on your earnings each month ?