Reasonable amount to charge relative....

[Bemyclementine]

For weekly "board" . Neither of these are me, but I've been asked my opinion.

Adult relative with some learning difficulties, usually reasonably independent with support. Has had quite serious medical incident and staying with family to recuperate.

Family providing all food, relative is spending time in a cold room with a plug in heater so electric increased. Fuel costs for taking to appointment, hospital etc.

I'd say whatever the extra amount it's costing them in the way of energy, food, petrol, potential telephone costs if they have a landline.

Unless I literally couldn’t afford it I wouldn’t charge. This is what family do.

But if the money was needed, the actual amount it costs, as close as can be worked out.

Honestly? I wouldn't charge anything at all if I could help it.

Depends on the relation! Distant cousin with no relationship? Charge the increase in food costs / heating costs. Son / Daughter come home to recuperate? Not charge unless absolutely needed, obviously depending on the financial circumstances.

Wouldnt charge.
Its what family is for

I would help at zero charge or not help - keeps everything clear and no come-bakcs etc
EG, "you charged to much...you were in it for the money...etc.etc

Your choice

I think it depends on the financial situation of those involved.

If the ill relative is still paying the costs associated with their regular home, I can't really see me taking anything, unless I really couldn't afford to have them for a few weeks.

Lots depends on the actual relation . Also how long they would be there. Also if host is well off or tight up for cash . So many variables.

I wouldn't dream.of taking money from a relative in crisis!

A contribution to fuel at the most if they can afford it but that's it.

just add up all the bills and divide by the number of adults in the house, then add any extras like petrol that are specifically for the person staying.

Nothing! Isn't this what family is for

Where is the money coming from? If it is from the guest who will be moving on to a place paying rent, then I would charge a discounted area rate.

I would put the money aside and give it back as a little buffer for themselves.

Depends on their income and other costs, oh and also how long - a month, 6 months???

If they don't pay any other costs £100 a week is fair all in as long as they have benefits that cover this at least double, you may need a proper contract for them to be able to claim the rent if on uc

Can they really not afford it? That’s the only way I’d ever consider charging a relative to recuperate with me. I’d do everything possible to stretch to afford it.

You mean you’d make them subsidise you? Not just charge additional costs? 😱

Relative lives independently in own property with no housing costs, and has savings. Close relative. Hosts are retired.

Relative is "saving" money by being there , as not paying out own for costs, utilities etc.

Hosts are out of pocket, could afford it if Relative had no money but they do have quite a lot of money. And Hosts are pensioners with not much income (but savings for retirement)

@mitogoshi that's what I was going to suggest

Guest can return home at any time now I think.

How is that subsidising you? I hadn’t considered @Bemyclementine costs for her children if she has any so perhaps I should have said divide by the number of people in the house. I was trying to emphasise that the disabled person in this scenario is an adult and should be treated as such.

If he's staying there to recuperate I wouldn't charge anything at all.

To reiterate, I am not involved in this scenario, just been asked what is reasonable

If I was the host here, I absolutely would have to charge. I can barely afford my own life and would sink having to support another adult. Clearly most of mumsnet is better off than me!

Immediate family such as children then I wouldn't charge any board if it was a short term arrangement and I could afford it.

If a more distant relationship and/or I needed to cover the additional bills then I'd work out the extra cost of bills, food etc and ask that as board because they're not using gas/electric/water/food in their own home whilst living with me.

Completely agree with this.

How long is the expected stay? I'm not sure I'd charge a relative who's been unwell anything to stay a month or two - especially if they still had a home to run, beyond maybe a contribution to food costs.

Of course that's not the question, so I'd calculate the additional costs and work from there.

Heating & Electric - if I could calculate a reasonable increase then that - but depends why the room is cold and needs an seperate heater - is it they want it warmer, or something is wrong with the heating in the room. The best way I could think to calculate this was comparing last years usage to this year and working out the difference. In some way it depends if they're staying with a large family, where 1 extra adult isn't making much difference, or a solo person who's out most of the time - so doubling showers, heating for longer and more daytime usage.

Food costs - I'd probably split equally in the first instance - So for a family of 4 and relative - they'd pay 1/5 of the cost and equal reign. Unless they eat like a sparrow, or have particularly specific requirements that make that wholly unfair for either. If they'd prefer, I'd provide space in the fridge/freezer and a cupboard or area (unfortunately it would be a box in my small kitchen) for them to shop and sort themselves out.

Fuel costs - either ad hoc if its only 1-2 a month, or if its a more regular perhaps an agreed % of the cost of a tank each week/month.

Because she is saying split the fixed costs equally, those are costs that the family need to pay irrelevant if they help this person for the short term. So by splitting those costs ie rent or mortgage, council tax etc, then it’s subsidising the hosts,