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AIBU?

To charge sister board and if so how much.

241 replies

MuggerBe · 06/02/2016 08:28

Sister is coming to live with dh and I and our DC miles away from home as part of an extended (potentially year long) holiday/casual work visit.

It's a great opportunity for them to visit another country with the ability to work if they want.

They've said they're happy to pay their way but I don't want to say an amount too high.

For background info, only dh works and so I take care of our child/household things through the day. Dh says it's fine but we're struggling ourselves at times to afford everything and so can't afford another person's costs.

Aibu to say for ease that sister pays £100 a week which will include- Electric. Internet. Water. Food. General outings in the car if I'm going. But not include food when out socialising, phone or travel expenses outside of us going anyway.

I don't want to take excess money. Or would it be better/easier to charge them when we get bills and somehow work out the difference which won't be easy and likewise they then only contribute towards their own food, or we do similar as with utilities where we split it each time.

I'm just not sure. I'd originally said it would only cost a small amount extra and given that figure to them saying food would be extra. Aibu to now alter the amount that better reflects the actual cost?

OP posts:
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VimFuego101 · 06/02/2016 08:31

If it were me coming to stay I'd want to know a fixed amount per week so I could budget. 100 quid is about the going rate for a room in some parts of the U.K. Will she be working - what is she likely to be able to earn?

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whois · 06/02/2016 08:31

How old is your sister? What level of savings does she have? Where do you love?

£400 to £600 is exceedingly reasonable for a room and bills and food!

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Toughasoldboots · 06/02/2016 08:35

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acasualobserver · 06/02/2016 08:35

I think £100 pw all in is very fair.

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RoganJosh · 06/02/2016 08:36

Are you trying to basically cover costs or make some money?
You'd be paying internet anyway, so I wouldn't include that.
Are you on a water meter?
I'd look at your normal bills, divide by two and then x3 for ones that aren't fixed.
Same for food, do you normally spend nearly £200 a week? That seems quite a lot.
I don't understand why you're charging her to sit in the car if you're going anyway, so I wouldn't include that.

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saltlakecity · 06/02/2016 08:38

I charge just over 300 for my spare room. Includes all bills. Doesn't include food. What you're charging seems excessive but obviously depends on location. If London or expensive area then it's probably reasonable.

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Toughasoldboots · 06/02/2016 08:40

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Toughasoldboots · 06/02/2016 08:41

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TheWoodenSpoonOfMischief · 06/02/2016 08:43

I think a fixed amount is good but £100 a week for family sounds quite a lot.
The bills won't go up by much so it's more about how much extra shopping you'd do and how much extra you'd pay for petrol.

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Katedotness1963 · 06/02/2016 08:45

£400 a month for a room? Last time I was home I rented a 3 bedroom house for £350 a month...

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MuggerBe · 06/02/2016 08:47

No I'd not charge her to sit in the car but rather if we decided to do a day trip or something tourusty to somewhere nice then I'd not charge for petrol. I wouldn't charge anyway regardless of whether I charge a fixed amount I was merely including it to say that's what we'd be doing as part of her trip.

She's late 20's about 5-10k savings and would be working here perhaps in retail so not making a fortune.

Housing and food and electricity are very expensive here and although we'd be paying out anyway for housing and Internet we are certainly not going to be profiting from this. I said if I was making meals then they have it as well. Water is fairly cheap.
They'd get the option to live in their own sector in the house with own wc shower facilities.

I'm surprised that people think 400 is hefty.

We're on oz for clarity.

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Primaryteach87 · 06/02/2016 08:47

I think £100 is a lot. I would charge more like £50 pw including normal food at home, as I would only charge the extra costs of them living there so basically a little bit extra electricity and food.

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VodkaValiumLattePlease · 06/02/2016 08:48

100 for one persons electricity, food and water? 😰😰😰

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Artandco · 06/02/2016 08:48

I would say £75 per week. We spend £50 per week per person approx on food. So I would say allow for £50 of food extra, plus the £25 to cover her % of extra electricity/ water etc. Most the other bills will remain the same. Maybe she can babysit for free occasionally some evenings also whilst here to let you and Dh go out also, which would be better than extra cash imo

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willowsummers · 06/02/2016 08:49

I agree with primaryteacher but I do live in the frozen north!

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1frenchfoodie · 06/02/2016 08:50

£100 seems a lot if you already have a spare room, more than necessary to cover costs. I doubt food and extra electricity would be so much and as you said, you were paying internet anyway. If you say you need to cover costs and set off at £50 you could bump up if the real increase is more.

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ProjectPerfect · 06/02/2016 08:51

I'd ask for a contribution to food costs but nothing else. I certainly would want to turn a profit on a room that wouldn't be rented by anyone else from my sister

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Artandco · 06/02/2016 08:56

People should remember op is in Australia where food is generally much more expensive than in the uk

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Toughasoldboots · 06/02/2016 08:58

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OTheHugeManatee · 06/02/2016 08:58

I think it's reasonable.

My brother lived with us for a few months after his relationship broke down and we just asked him for an equal share of average monthly bill costs, including food and his insurance on one of our cars, but excluding mortgage. I think it came to about £100/week. It worked well, he felt like he was chipping in and could eat what he fancied without asking permission all the time, and we felt like it was fair.

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ajandjjmum · 06/02/2016 08:59

It would seem a lot for a relative here in the UK, but aren't living costs significantly higher in Australia?

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19lottie82 · 06/02/2016 08:59

A 3 bed house for £350 a month??

I live in Glasgow and you'd pay £400 a month for a decent flatshare before bills and food.

I guess it depends where the OP is but I'd say £75-100 a week is reasonable including food.

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Lucsy · 06/02/2016 09:01

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canyou · 06/02/2016 09:03

I remember Oz as being more expensive day to day then home. I would agree on £/Aus$ 100 and then keep an eye on costs and reduce if you can after a few weeks.

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19lottie82 · 06/02/2016 09:04

Lucsy do you think the OPs sis could get a flat share, pay council tax, water, TV, Internet, gas electric, and food for that?

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