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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to start charging my sister rent?

380 replies

cerealnamechangers · 25/10/2016 10:41

My dsis has lived in my mortgage free house for seven years with her adult daughter since we moved to a bigger property, in that time i have never asked for a penny in rent as we were pretty comfortable but she has paid all the bills for the house e.g. council tax. I was intending to keep the house incase any of my dc ever wanted to move in. The market rate for rent would be about 650-700 pounds per calendar month.
However we now have 2 dc at university and money is tight so we could really do with the extra cash to help them out. Dsis is not short of money and her and her daughter drive nice cars and go on multiple long haul foreign holidays, so aibu to ask her for a contribution for living there? I feel awkward asking her as she has never offered.

OP posts:
Roussette · 25/10/2016 14:31

Why the heck are you doing this? Does your DSis have some sort of hold over you?

I'm all for helping family out. You did. She is now back on her feet and splashes out on nice cars and long haul flights. That is you paying for her cars and holidays, you do realise that dont you??

Charge her market price less £50 a month.

QueenLizIII · 25/10/2016 14:31

can I Have you as a sister OP?

Grin
Slarti · 25/10/2016 14:33

MN never fails to surprise me. Never thought I'd see so many people post the bizarre notion that if you pay bills then that's your rent. Makes me wonder if I've woken up in an alternate reality.

Roussette · 25/10/2016 14:36

My sentiments exactly Slarti.

Bills is bills

Rent is rent

PerryHatter · 25/10/2016 14:40

Slarti Rousette
It was a misunderstanding. Many posters assumed OP and sis lived in same house - therefore OP's sis paying full bills for the two families.

Roussette · 25/10/2016 14:42

Ahhh right... I only skim read so thought wrongly!

Still.... to only pay the bills and no rent is the reason she is buggering off on longhaul holidays!

milliemolliemou · 25/10/2016 14:47

Just in case you were thinking of going ahead with talks with your sister without contacting a solicitor or CAB - just don't. You have paid landlord's insurance which is in your favour but you haven't collected rent for 7 years. Ask a solicitor - even if you have to pay - because otherwise you might be mired in the law as your sister and/or niece use legal tactics to avoid eviction if they don't agree to pay you rent or simply refuse to move out. And that could be thousands down the tube.

Let us know how you get on.

flumpybear · 25/10/2016 14:54

Do she's in your 2nd Home for free just pays her bills .... yes I'd charge her!!

If the going rate is £600 I'd probably tell her you'd charge her say 400 per month - she'll never get s better deal!! If she died then rent it out privately for more money!!

WinchesterWoman · 25/10/2016 15:01

I would seriously be thinking about having a locksmith ready (after talking to a solicitor) for if they get arsey.

MoonStar07 · 25/10/2016 15:27

She has a very easy deal!!!! Imagine not having to pay a mortgage! It makes life very easy! Essentially she hasn't paid a mortgage or rent for the last 7 year. YANBU and as your sister should understand now financially with your kids at uni you need to rent the property out. Explain what you could achieve and ask her what she would like to pay as you need the income from the property

19lottie82 · 25/10/2016 15:28

I agree with getting some legal advice regarding this. Your Sis may have some kind of rights re the property as she has lived there (without you) for the past 7 years).

Would it not be easier to sell the property and invest the cash for your kids?

eddielizzard · 25/10/2016 15:32

tell her you're strapped and you either need to start charging rent or you need to get tenants in. ask her what she's able to pay you.

wowfudge · 25/10/2016 15:34

As a pp stated, you need to get legal advice before you broach the subject with your sister. Assuming you don't have a signed AST from when she started living there, she will likely have a established a tenancy without there being one - although the fact no rent has actually been paid needs looking into by someone experienced in these matters. This means that in order to evict her, if it comes to that, you will have to follow the law and it could take months and cost a lot of money.

I hope it doesn't come to that and you reach an agreement with your DSis that she sticks to. You must document the agreement with an AST, have a landlord's gas safety certificate, etc. If she fails to pay the rent then eviction can be quicker than in the circumstances where a LL just wants the tenant out for no fault reason.

Milklollies · 25/10/2016 15:37

Placemarking to see how this ends up. I am on the OP's side.

PersianCatLady · 25/10/2016 15:37

If I were one of your DC the question I would ask you is "why are you giving money to auntie and cousin when our family's money situation a bit tight at the moment?"

CanandWill · 25/10/2016 15:40

You have to start charging her rent. Otherwise she will live in that house until the day she dies. She has to get used to paying rent like everyone else or she will never leave. I think a 20 - 25% reduction is fair for the first two years.

fbreading · 25/10/2016 16:11

DO NOT "ask her what she's able to pay you."

You TELL her

ConvincingLiar · 25/10/2016 16:18

I would charge market rent, either to her or proper tenants. 7 years of no rent is incredibly generous.

RoonilWaslibb · 25/10/2016 16:22

Charge her the market rate less 20% as a family discount.

Approach it by saying you are going to let the house out, she can have first refusal on mates rates.

If she kicks up a fuss then she is a cow bag! Fancy living rent free for 7 years

RoonilWaslibb · 25/10/2016 16:24

Oh and if she gets nasty I'd mention the fact she owes you £8400 in backdated rent if she originally agreed £100.

WinchesterWoman · 25/10/2016 16:28

I just don't think you have that many rights, and she has a lot. You need legal advice.

RentANDBills · 25/10/2016 16:30

This has inspired my latest name change though, thanks OP!

CoraPirbright · 25/10/2016 18:12

Good grief OP you have lost out on over £50k in the last 7 years which could have gone towards your children! Does your sister usually take the piss big time or is it just on this occasion? I am just wondering if this fits a wider pattern of her taking what she wants and other people giving in to her. I totally understand your reticence if this is the case as its a hard pattern to break without the shit hitting the fan. However, I am absolutely flabbergasted that she could be so brass necked - its pretty disgusting behaviour. If you think you can get £600 ish for the market rate, I would perhaps offer it to her at £500 but no less. I say again - she is ROYALLY taking the piss.

QueenLizIII · 25/10/2016 19:17

If I were the OP Id tell her I am selling it. and actually sell it.

she must have made some money on it and be able to buy something else.

i would get the sister out, not charge her rent for it. the longer she remains in that house the more Id worry.