How much should I be paying rent to my Mum?!

Hannurh

So, after my Mum and Dad just seperating, I've had to move in with her due to the fact my Dad is in debt. Anyway, I have a full time job and the wages are range from £950 to £1,000 a month. My Mum is asking me to pay £150 a week, which sadly won't leave me with alot of money. I took it upon myself to pay for Broadband and the line rental on top of the £150, plus buying my own food as well as public transport because I don't drive yet but I'm not sure if this is too much or just right?
Update:

I pay for my own food,
I pay for Broadband + line rental,
£375 a month altogether for gas, heat, electric

Oakdene

Well given that you could be paying £750 some months in rent I would say that is too much.

gabriel1980

I paid £200 a month when I had to move back in with my mum and I worked full-time

thorsoak

1. How old are you?

2. How much rent would you be paying if you were renting a room in a shared house? Could you rent for less than £150 a week and live closer to where you work?

3. Would you be the only other adult in your mother's house? How much are her outgoings (excluding mortgage)? By outgoings, I mean council tax (if you live with her she will lose a 25% single occupancy rebate), water rates, gas, heating, electricity, tv licence, etc.

This will tell you whether you are contributing fairly to living expenses or not. No adult child has any right to expect to live for free in a parent's house.

WantToBeSE

I really think £150 a week is a LOT! Here, you can rent a 3 bed house for that amount!

I would explain to her that it's not your job to make up for the shortfall caused by her and your Dad splitting up. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth.

I would offer half of that, and maybe pay the odd bill here and there, or do an occasional food shop.

Andrew_Ryan_89

Big factor is your age and location. 25 or over and I would not be complaining too much, especially living in London.

However, including the broadband, if she is paying a similar amount to you if not the same, then it is a bit harsh

goodwithsaving

Too much. I agree with wanttobeSE. Fine pay your way, that's to be expected in most cases, but not using you to plug the gap.
Alternative is; you move out somewhere cheaper and she gets a lodger. If money is that tight, that's for her to sort out herself. Harsh but true.

LMG1305

I think it's too much. I wouldn't expect my children to contribute that much towards MY household bills, regardless of their age. If your mum can no longer afford the bills on her own then she should start looking for somewhere else to live.


I would think asking for a token amount, say £50-£75 per week is fair, plus the extra council tax, then you pay for any luxuries that you personally want, such as internet, Sky TV etc.


Does your mum earn more than you? Has she just worked out the total household bills and divided them equally between you? What will she do if you one day move out? If she can't afford them on her own now then she needs to plan ahead for if that ever happens.


Or do you think she might be taking that much from you but putting some of it into a savings account for you? If that's the case then it is a nice thought, but at the same time she should be letting you make that decision.

Hannurh

thorsoak wrote: »

1. How old are you?

I turned 20 in July.

thorsoak wrote: »

2. How much rent would you be paying if you were renting a room in a shared house? Could you rent for less than £150 a week and live closer to where you work?

£150 a week could probably get me the same sized houe I'm in now, seeing as the rent is outgoing for £750 altogether which would leave me a couple of 100 on the side for anything else.

thorsoak wrote: »

3. Would you be the only other adult in your mother's house? How much are her outgoings (excluding mortgage)? By outgoings, I mean council tax (if you live with her she will lose a 25% single occupancy rebate), water rates, gas, heating, electricity, tv licence, etc.

' Would you be the only other adult in your mother's house?' Indeed. I, myself, paid for the TV licence which was a hundred upfront. As for heating and gas, we've just moved in and haven't worked this out yet. Adding onto this however, I have also taken out alot of money for some new furniture and kitchen appliances so my Mum didn't need too.

thorsoak wrote: »

This will tell you whether you are contributing fairly to living expenses or not. No adult child has any right to expect to live for free in a parent's house.

I'd never live freely of her, no no. I'm not suggesting this at all. I'd happily pay £100 - £130.

breaking_free

Hannurh wrote: »

£150 a week could probably get me the same sized houe I'm in now, seeing as the rent is outgoing for £750 altogether which would leave me a couple of 100 on the side for anything else.

Are you saying that the total rent for the house is £750 per month, of which you are paying £150 per week? Shurely shome mishtake?

chubsta

our son is 21 and in full time employment, he earns about £1200 a month and we charge him £280, he doesn't pay any bills etc.

Basically, we feel that it is not his responsibility to support us, the rent he pays goes towards all his food, he takes a much better packed lunch to work every day than i do! Plus he is never off his xbox and as he works outdoors in a very dirty job he in causes well over half the washing each week.

I think you are being asked to pay far too much, you could get a place of your own for that. It is all well and good helping family out but perhaps your mum needs to look for somewhere cheaper, reduce her bills somehow, or work longer hours.