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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

How much rent should I charge my daughter?

56 replies

SuzieC1979 · 15/01/2013 14:14

Hi,

Thought I would give this a go! As you seem like a very helpful bunch.

My daughter came out of uni a couple of years ago, she then moved into a house with some friends, but has recently come back to live with us.

I enjoy having her about, truth be told - she keeps herself to herself, she buys her own food and she does her own washing! (although I have offered!!!)

I am wondering how much rent you think I should be charging her.. if any!?

She does work very hard, and the reason she moved home is so that she can save to perhaps buy a place of her own, or maybe just find another rental property. She doesnt earn megabucks...but I dont know if how much to ask for... or if anybody asks for any!

Would really appreciate your thoughts on this :)

Suz x

OP posts:

YDdraigGoch · 15/01/2013 14:17

How much rent did she pay?

I would charge a percentage of her salary - do you think a 25% would be too much?

YDdraigGoch · 15/01/2013 14:19

If you think you could get away with it, you could always charge a bit more than you think you need, and then put some of her rent away without telling her - so you can be a nice mum and give her a lump sum at the end of the year, or when she needs it

ScalesAndMirrorsLie · 15/01/2013 14:20

I would ask for a token payment if she buys her own food and does her washing.

Utilities still need to be paid.

If she saving for a place I wouldn't charge a lot as it would defeat the object of her staying with you.

Maybe 5% of her salary. That's a bargain for her and you get a little towards expenses.

ScalesAndMirrorsLie · 15/01/2013 14:21

Saving it like YD said without her knowing would be a nice gesture, if you don't need the money.

TreadOnTheCracks · 15/01/2013 14:21

I think you should charge something.

If you can afford it save some and give her as a lump sum.

Could you have a look what people charge for renting a room local and charge her half?

chewingguminmyhair · 15/01/2013 14:21

£400.

meddie · 15/01/2013 14:22

At a bare minimum I would charge what it costs to have her there so you are not out of pocket yourself.
So any increase in utilities,council tax, extra food,etc etc.

bowerbird · 15/01/2013 14:23

She does work very hard and the reason she moved home is so that she can save to buy a place of her own

Under those circumstances I wouldn't charge her anything. If she was laying about on the sofa, not working or studying, then I might charge but your daughter sounds terrific - self-sufficient and hard-working.

deleted203 · 15/01/2013 14:24

I would charge her something, certainly. My DD pays £200, which is a bargain, actually, as it would cost her around £400 to rent a flat. And she doesn't buy her own food or anything else!

This is 25% of what she brings home, so it gives her plenty left over. Actually, I reckon we've been a bit generous now I come to think of it.

moomoomar · 15/01/2013 14:25

If she buys her own food and does her own washing then I would charge £10 a week for electric. If you don't find your electric bill getting bigger then I would put that £10 in a pot and save it for her.

SouthernComforts · 15/01/2013 14:25

I've just done the same, but with my dd in tow. I work, buy my own food, clean up, do my washing and cook for everyone 2 nights a week. I will be paying £50 a week.

Paiviaso · 15/01/2013 14:26

I wouldn't charge her anything if she is home for the purpose of saving money, and you are financially sound.

SouthernComforts · 15/01/2013 14:26

FWIW, my parents have no mortgage so that's just for utilities.

everlong · 15/01/2013 14:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsjay · 15/01/2013 14:26

you know I dont think I would charge her a lot if anything she is buying her own food doing her washing and saving for her own place, maybe if a big bill comes in I would ask for a help with it, maybe im just soft

Cherylkerl · 15/01/2013 14:26

I've been in your daughter's boat - down to looking after self with food and washing and paid £20-£30 a week depending on earnings and time of year (eg. winter - more expensive). Things like the telly licence we split between us. My dad was never comfortable having me contribute in any way to his own mortgage (his property, he'd have to pay that whether I was there or not) whereas heating and council tax did go up when I lived there so that's what I comtributed to.

Depends if your priority is teaching her the value of money/helping you run a house (if things are v tight for you) or if you'd rather she was able to save and you can afford to sub this. I had a friend whose mum took board (but the girl didn't buy her own food or do laundry) but kept most of it as savings for her to move out with.

Mooycow · 15/01/2013 14:26

My daughter is the same, she is now working in a full time professional job (earning more than me)she currently alternates between boyfriends house and here, so if she is here its 2 not just her
i buy all toiletries food etc what is a reasonable amount to charge for house keeping

MrsMelons · 15/01/2013 14:28

If she is saving for her own home (and she is ACTUALLY saving) then I personally wouldn't charge her anything. If you need her to contribute to additional bills then that is different.

You could as others have suggested take something off her and save it to give to her towards her house deposit.

My parents didn't charge me rent (just phone and additional sky box) so I could save for a house which I bought in my early 20's.

I don't think YWBU to charge something if you wanted/needed to though but IMO if she is already showing she is responsible and independent then there are no lessons to be learnt by taking £400 a month off her and making it more difficult for her to save for a house.

mrsjay · 15/01/2013 14:29

maybe I will feel different if my dd is still here when she is working full time she is a student and works p/t so I dont take anything she runs her car mainly with her wages,

Original poster

SuzieC1979 · 15/01/2013 14:32

All very good advice thank you.

I think you are right, I won't charge her to much, probably £100, and then keep £25 of that everytime and put it into a little pot for her - for when she finally leaves the nest!

OP posts:

chewingguminmyhair · 15/01/2013 14:33

You're all soft! I was paying £200 a month to my parents many moons ago. Renting a room would be £500+ now plus bills and food.

Why not take a reasonable amount and you could always take half and give it to her for a new sofa or something when she leaves.

People I know who didn't pay rent when young never could understand how everyone else coped then struggled when they left

LadyInDisguise · 15/01/2013 14:33

Nothing at all!!

LadyInDisguise · 15/01/2013 14:35

soft?? But the OP's dd doesn't cost her a lot does she? She buys her won food, does her own washing etc... so the 'cost' is only a slight rise in utility bill. I would feel bad about making money on the back of my own dcs.

MrsMelons · 15/01/2013 14:35

I agree everlong I just can't imagine charging my DCs actual rent unless I needed the money but even so if I had a mortgage it wouldn't change regardless of whether the DCs are at home or not. I understand charging for bills if they are that much higher due to the DCs being there of course especially if they are earning decent money. I would hope the DCs would offer as well.

I would also feel VERY different if like bower said that they were sat around doing nothing!

StuntGirl · 15/01/2013 14:35

In my family we charge a token amount of about £100-200 pcm once you've left full time education. That still allows her to save more than most can manage towards a house deposit.

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