Can the parent charge rent?

lesleystrawson

Hi all

A 17 year old friend of my daughters lives with their mum, her boyfriend and 7 siblings. They are the oldest child in the family and have just completed the first year of their 'A' levels at the local secondary school. They do not have a part-time job, but does receive some money from their 'real' dad, who also gives their mum money as well (amounts unknown). Not sure if anything legal is in place for these payments either. They are claiming EMA and I guess their mum is claiming Child Benefit for all the children in the family.

Their mum has said that she is considering charging them 'rent'. I am guessing she needs the money (she does not work at present), and perhaps in a way a contribution to the family income would be a good gesture, however I am struggling to find anything 'legal' about this scenario online, baring in mind they are in full-time education.

BTW our families live in Wales and the friend does not share their father with any of the other siblings.

Thanks in advance.

ToxicWomble

Pretty ridiculous asking a 17 yr old who is in full time A level education to pay rent, that’s what child maintenance is for to help pay for the requirements of children.
Probably worried that she will have to go and find work herself to earn money rather than rely on money coming in via the children
Wouldn’t t be surprised if she got pregnant to make up the shortfall and got a bigger house as well

kingfisherblue

Mum will receive Child Benefit and either Child Tax Credits or Universal Credit for each child as well (unless her partner is on enough money that CTC/UC isn't payable, but that seems unlikely since there are seven children). Any maintenance that she receives from the birth father is on top of that. This is the money that should be used to pay any child related expenses, and rent should not be charged on top of that whilst the 17 year old is in full time, non-advanced education. Where does she expect her child to find rent money from? I could understand mum charging board to a working child who has finished their education, because any child related benefits would have stopped, but this situation seems very unfair.

HampshireH

It isn't illegal. May not be practical or deemed fair though.

What do you intend to do with the information because in all honesty whatever is said here is irrelevant as its not really anyones business but theirs.

What if the parent didnt call it rent but stopped buying essentials like toiletries/phone bills/trips out for leisure & expected them to use some of the cash they are receiving from the other parent to fund this whilst she continues providing a roof over the childs head and food on a plate? Its just a different spin on doing it

lesleystrawson

The question was asked because my daughter's friend doesn't know which way to turn, and had spoken to her about it. She in turn asked us if we knew the legal position...which we didn't, hence this discussion.

The mum/boyfriend does not fund any of the friends social activities - they use their EMA/money from their father for that. And yes, I gauge that it is no-one's business but the family's - but we are saddened to hear that the scenario has arisen.

onwards&upwards

I’d advise the daughter to speak to the person at school/college who is responsible for students’ welfare/pastoral needs.

Kentish_Dave

We all know of families like this, unfortunately.

It stinks, no matter how hard up the family is but sadly this may be the start of adult life for the girl.

Can she get a Saturday job, or work after school in the evenings?

unholyangel

While there may be no law explicitly prohibiting a parent from charging their child, I would point out that it is a parents responsibility to provide a home for their child that they are responsible for and that the obligation exists whether the child pays them or not.

This is also evidenced in the criteria for child benefit - you don't qualify just for having biological children, its children you look after. And, as has been said, thats what part of the maintenance payments are for (to cover the fathers responsibility to house their child).

If the father is present in their life with a decent relationship, I'd consider discussing it with them if they can possibly call the mothers bluff - tell her that they're moving in with dad, dad will be applying for maintenance from her & also applying for the child benefit payments.

Katapolt

Everyone else has commented on the legal standing, but i just wanted to say its sort of irrelevant. Is the 17 year old happy to and willing to take a stand against her mum and say it isn't legal? What benefit would that bring? As others have said, the mum may just make her life hard in return.

Sounds to me like the 17 year old needs to do what she can to please mum until shes 18, and use the time to form an exit plan.

Whilst i was lucky enough to be able to live at home until my mid 20's, i worked at least 3 days a week from the age of 16, and when I finished full time education i started a full time job the following week and paid into the household ever since until i left.

At times felt it unfair compared to siblings treatment, but i did it and i made my plans and i did what i could to make living there enjoyable until i could leave. It sounds like its just going to be her new way of life with her mum.

Comms69

Katapolt wrote: »

Everyone else has commented on the legal standing, but i just wanted to say its sort of irrelevant. Is the 17 year old happy to and willing to take a stand against her mum and say it isn't legal? What benefit would that bring? As others have said, the mum may just make her life hard in return.

Sounds to me like the 17 year old needs to do what she can to please mum until shes 18, and use the time to form an exit plan.

Whilst i was lucky enough to be able to live at home until my mid 20's, i worked at least 3 days a week from the age of 16, and when I finished full time education i started a full time job the following week and paid into the household ever since until i left.

At times felt it unfair compared to siblings treatment, but i did it and i made my plans and i did what i could to make living there enjoyable until i could leave. It sounds like its just going to be her new way of life with her mum.

AT 17 she can leave home, so really that would seem the best option

Mojisola

lesleystrawson wrote: »

A 17 year old friend of my daughters lives with their mum, her boyfriend and 7 siblings.

Their mum has said that she is considering charging them 'rent'.

unholyangel wrote: »

If the father is present in their life with a decent relationship, I'd consider discussing it with them if they can possibly call the mothers bluff - tell her that they're moving in with dad, dad will be applying for maintenance from her & also applying for the child benefit payments.

If moving to stay with her father isn't feasible, is your daughter good enough friends to have her move in with you?

You would be able to claim CB as well as maintenance from both parents.