Dig money?

Person_one

Tammykitty wrote: »

A third of the cost of running the household.


Normally I would say £400 is way too much, but with the mum unemployed and the dad on state pension, the son should be helping.


Are they on housing benefit, and therefore having a non dependent deduction on the housing benefit - The son should definitely be covering this plus then a third of the household bills

That might not be a great idea, if they get accustomed to having his money to pay the bills and run the house, they might struggle when he does move out, and if he's paying nearly as much to live at home as he would be to live in a flat share with all that lovely freedom then he'll probably move out fairly quickly!

I agree that he should cover the reduction in the housing benefit/extra on the council tax at least, but not market rent!

prosaver

if he was saving for a flat or something I would offer him cheap rates.

onomatopoeia99

Seems very high.

He could probably become a lodger (so bills included) with a double room and ensuite facilities for that - certainly could in my postcode area Would still need to buy food, but that's about £20/week if cooking for oneself and making own lunches. Also double rooms in shared houses for around £250/month (some include bills, some don't) here.

Obviously depends where they live though, if it's Knightsbridge or Chelsea, then it's a steal at £400/month.

Pollycat

So many imponderables that it's impossible to give an opinion without further input from the OP.

Fireflyaway

£400 seems a lot. Are they using him to top up thier low income as I can't see him being at home costs them £400. I never paid my parents anything and left home at 24. I will never charge my daughter to live at home either. We are family and its my job as a parent to look after my child.
If he was lazy and deliberately sponging off his folks at 40 then that's differerent but he is a young man starting out and not making much money. Could they encourage him to put some money aside each month for a deposit for a place of his own instead? Hopefully he will appreciate his family and maybe offer a contribution (not even money - maybe housework or cooking) of his own accord but personally I am against 'charging' family members.

annandale

I believe the OP is in Scotland. I'll assume that the family are as well. If they aren't the Op can correct me later. In Glasgow you can get a double room in a flat and all bills included from around 350 pounds a month. In the town I live in its slightly cheaper. I've seen two double rooms plus bills included for 400 pounds a month.

Looking on gumtree, even in London you can get double rooms and all bills included for 125 a week upwards.

Its not a fair rent. I don't believe that him living in the family home will be costing them 400 pounds a month either. Or anywhere near it

annandale

I think given the fact that the family are on benefits and that they might get a reduction in benefits now he's working that it's fair to ask him to pay rent. 200 or 250 a month isn't too much to ask. 400 is far too much.

FBaby

It very much depends on the reason for this amount and whether it is because that's what it is truly costing them additional because he lives there, or because they expect him to pay 1/3 of all bills because they are dependent on benefits. It also very much depends on what it includes.

If they were paying for his mobile contract as before for instance, as well as say car insurance etc..., then it might be fair. If it is only for rent+utilities, then it doesn't sound right.

In the end, they are all looking to benefit as I expect he as well as the parents are likely to be worse off if he moved out.

annandale

I doubt very much he'd be worse off if he moved out being asked to pay 400 pounds a month in rent. Unless they're in London which I don't think they are.

They are benefiting more from this proposed arrangement than he is

Jackieboy

If he pays £400pcm, he'll have £590pcm for himself which will enormously more than either of his parents will have. If that amount includes all food and bills then , given his family's situation, it seems quite reasonable.

For him to suggest that he needs £890pcm to himself while his parents survive on benefits seems incredibly selfish of him.