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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that they are charging me too much?

200 replies

olderthanyouthink · 03/12/2016 15:07

How much do/would you charge adult children to live at home?

In the "The reason young people can't afford to buy houses" thread the topic of parents allowing adult children to live at home to enable them to save up quicker/easier.

My own parents have started charging me £300 to live at home, I think thats too much. Mum actually said to me that I "shouldn't be getting rich living with them for free". £300 is more than half of what I was putting in savings and I've told them before how much was putting away (£500 + what's left at the end of the month).

I wouldn't call saving so I could move out, with a financial safety net, "getting rich".

More info for perspective:

  • I've out of the house for nearly 14 hours per day minimum, five days a week so hardly running up heating & electricity all day.
  • I eat breakfast and lunch out of the house on weekdays and maybe two thirds of my dinners at home (half the time sorting something out for myself because of long commute)
  • We used to live in london but they moved us all out to the seaside so now commuting to work costs me £600/ month.
  • My income is £1500/ month.

Who's being unreasonable?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 03/12/2016 17:23

' it certainly wouldnt include laundry services, food, a cleaner and access to a fridge in the garage full of wine!'

Why are you still skivvying for someone so well into adulthood? It really doesn't cover them in glory.

Trifleorbust · 03/12/2016 17:23

It is their house. They could charge you £1,000 a month and you would still be the unreasonable one. They are not obliged to have you there at all.

SirChenjin · 03/12/2016 17:24

I would seriously doubt that a lodger in a house would get away with paying £75 a week all in - so in that respect they're not charging her the same as a lodger.

Headofthehive55 · 03/12/2016 17:24

If your parents are paying rent then, yes it seems a reasonable amount. However if they aren't paying rent then it seems a little bit much for what is much less than full board.

Do you tell them you want to move out?

Bluntness100 · 03/12/2016 17:25

I don't think they are charging her the " extra" I think it's simply they are treating her like an adult and asking her to contribute equally towards the costs of the home, they do all add up. She's 21 and has to step up now.

She said she'd been saving five hundred a month, then said she couldn't move out because she didn't have the deposit etc, then says it's because she needs to build up the courage as she has anxiety issues.

I think she isn't moving out because she doesn't want to. And I think her parents are now forcing her to take responsibility. The commute costs are nothing to do with her parents, it's her choice to continue to live at home and do that commute. That's her bill not her parents. She's even blaming them for moving as if in some way she was a child and had to live there and they failed to take her convenience into account.

If that's the price, then she should pay without murmer. Or move out and pay someone else. Freeloading is not an option.

myfavouritecolourispurple · 03/12/2016 17:32

When I was a student I had one job that paid me £150 or thereabouts during a holiday. I had the job for 10 weeks. As I recall, my mum asked me for £30 housekeeping (I can't remember exactly).

So about 20% of my earnings, which were tax-free. So extrapolating, you might want to ask for 20% of your child's taxed income (including student loan and pension contributions and any other deductions). What you do with that is up to you, you might save it for them or need it to pay bills. I'm not sure a parent should make money out of their kids, so I don't think they should take more than they actually need as a fair share of the bills, unless they are saving the excess for the child or there is some other reason eg the child is repaying a debt.

flibflob · 03/12/2016 17:36

OP, our situations sound eerily similar. I'm 20 with a disabled brother and quite controlling parents (or specifically mother), though I live somewhere much less expensive and don't have to commute.

Had to defer uni and move back home this summer. My mum would also go through my room, not allow me to go out (I did anyway), and generally treated me like an inconvenience. We never had the conversation about rent - I wasn't there long enough - but would have contributed to the household according to my earnings.

I did exactly what PPs have suggested, went on spareroom.com and found a houseshare about 20 mins away from my parents' house for 420 pcm including bills. Luckily I was able to find a landlord who doesn't charge a deposit, just a fee (which was bloody lucky as I was broke). It might seem like madness renting that close to my parents', where I would pay a lot less and could save more, but it's been the best thing I've ever done.

Yes, its been bloody hard, but I've learned a hell of a lot about budgeting, organisation, and, dare I say it, 'the real world'. I've also had a fantastic time being young, living in a city, and having some proper disposable income for the first time ever.

As PPs have said, your £300 rent and £600 commute plus savings leaves you in a good financial decision to move. It's annoying that the move with your cousins fell through, but get back on the horse. Start by registering on Spare Room - takes 2 minutes. Baby steps.

One thing I have to pull you up on is your comments about your brother - I don't see how he fits into the situation with your parents. I know I will have to make provisions for my brother's care one day, but I don't resent that fact in the slightest and he is never involved in disagreements I have with my DPs (and there are plenty). He just doesn't come into the equation.

Feel free to PM me if you want any more specific advice.

Headofthehive55 · 03/12/2016 17:36

My DD pays £75 for a house share. All bills included. Deposit £200. You don't need to be there.

flibflob · 03/12/2016 17:36

That was long, sorry Xmas Blush

Graphista · 03/12/2016 17:42

They are only charging the bare minimum. It's also equivalent to 20% which some are saying would be reasonable without realising that's what the op is paying. Several other pps have said 1/3 is more usual which is more than she is currently paying.

I agree the commute is ops choice

They didn't have to move with parents
They could have aimed to get another job nearer or in same place as they've moved to.

Plus I agree it sounds like op is choosing to not move out (probably knows deep down they're onto a good thing) despite having been supported by her parents until very recently and having money saved that would enable her to move out.

I also wonder how the op is behaving at home because most mothers I know the black bagging etc would come out of long term frustration at poor behaviour.

Chickydoo · 03/12/2016 17:42

I think £100 a week is a very good deal for you! You are paying even less.
Your parents should divide monthly utilities by 3 ( as long as it's just the 3 of you there)
Council tax
Electricity/Gas/water
Line rental/ broadband/TV licence
House insurance.
You should pay for all the food you eat.
Pay 1/3 of laundry/cleaning costs
You are an adult, it is not up to your parents to support you for ever. They have done their bit. Grow up!

PlumsGalore · 03/12/2016 17:49

I feel sorry for you actually and I am sure there is a back story. It is only right and fair your contribute to the household expenses but in view of the fact you are their daughter and saving to make your own way in life I think they are asking for too much.

Anyhow, I also think you should make a move closer to London as soon as possible and share a place with other likeminded people.

RortyCrankle · 03/12/2016 17:50

£300 sounds cheap to me - I thought the norm was one third of salary and you don't sound as if you like your parents much so maybe time to move out and live in the real world.

Good luck.

Sara107 · 03/12/2016 17:50

It sounds like you want to move out, and have been putting your plans in place. Now that you have enough for a deposit saved, you just need to pluck up the courage to do it. You mention anxiety, so I guess that's at the root of the problem here. You may feel that you don't have the confidence to move out unless you have a huge financial 'cushion' behind you. Take some of the good advice on here eg spareroom.com, and take your time to find somewhere that you feel comfortable and is close to your work. Do your budget so that you feel comfortable that you can afford the new place. With 5 hours extra in your life everyday you have so much to look forward to! Good luck, it's a big step but the start of your own independent life! Try and leave on good terms with your parents and then you always have an emergency option in hand.

Bobsmum02 · 03/12/2016 18:00

I think it's quite a lot considering that you are paying £600 for your commute and you are attempting to save for a deposit. If you were out drinking all weekend and not saving any money then I could see their point but I think they are being a little short sighted in charging you so much, it will surely only result in you living with them for longer?!

user1480182169 · 03/12/2016 18:04

I think it's quite a lot considering that you are paying £600 for your commute and you are attempting to save for a deposit

Since when does having commuting costs and wanting to save mean you should pay less for your rent/food/bills?
I'd like to save for a deposit, can I pay my landlord less please?

Quintessing · 03/12/2016 18:24

Since when does having commuting costs and wanting to save mean you should pay less for your rent/food/bills?
I'd like to save for a deposit, can I pay my landlord less please?

Hmm It doesnt as everyone agrees, it means you need to see WHERE you can cut costs in order to save. The commuting cost is the only thing that can be changed.
Anatidae · 03/12/2016 18:46

300 a month is a pretty good deal. I was paying 250 out of PhD student wages fifteen years ago, with bills and food on top. TBH I doubt they're making a profit.

600 a month commuting is just a waste though - and you're obviously not happy where you are. They should not be going through your room - everyone needs privacy.
It's obvious you're unhappy. Move out, find a flat share closer to work with people who share similar lifestyles to you.

You need to have a serious and grown up conversation about the care of your brother. If he needs personal care then you may not be able to provide that, depending on what's needed. Caring is tough - he needs to be in a place that is best for him. You need to arrange that, or open that conversation now. Not when your folks are finding it hard to cope physically in ten, twenty years time.

But move out. I left home at 18 and never looked back. I know my parents are always there for me if I need them (and I them) but I wanted my independence. I was earning 5-6 k a year as a PhD student and I managed. You can too. My brother and sister both ended up back with my parents for a time, both begrudged contributions and frankly, didn't treat my parents very well. It's not been a positive experience for them.

Yes you'll be skint, but you're young and freedom is wonderful. Your relationship with your parents may improve too.

TataEs · 03/12/2016 18:49

seems a bit harsh of your parents since they know uve invited a massive hike in commuting cost. i would say, taking into account the situation with your brother, and that this happened shortly after u divulging how much you were saving, that they are trying to make it hard for you to leave home. if you live at home they can rely on you to care for them and your brother when the time comes. if you live in london then not so much. it seems you do not wish to be left caring for your brother, which whilst sad, is your prerogative, i'd suggest moving back to london. rent, bills and commute is currently costing you around £1k a month (you say you buy some food and i assume pay ur own phone etc) you could very easily save money by moving. keep ur head down. keep saving. ull be gone by easter latest

TataEs · 03/12/2016 18:50

incurred * not invited Hmm

harderandharder2breathe · 03/12/2016 18:59

You have savings, use them to get a room in a houseshare nearer to work

The amount sounds reasonable but it also sounds like you don't like living there but are also avoiding moving out

HicDraconis · 03/12/2016 19:29

I'm going to be a lone voice of disagreement.

The room in the house is there whether op is in it or not.
Heating would be on for parents / brother whether op was there or not.
Mostly op is eating out of the house, or getting her own dinner.
Council tax is the same whether op is there or not.
Electricity and water - yes I can see that op is using them, but I strongly doubt she's using £300 a month's worth.

I would never charge a child of mine to live in our family home. Doesn't matter how old they are or whether they have a wife/child of their own living with us too - this is their family home and they are welcome here. The rooms, heat, water, electricity, rates (not uk) all stay the same regardless of number of people in the house. Charging rent to a child feels morally wrong. Contribution towards food maybe but even then I would put it to one side and give it back to them when they moved out.

OP YANBU. However the only thing you can do is move out. Find a houseshare, cut your commute costs and maybe take a bit longer to save but have the rights of someone who pays rent.

BalthazarImpresario · 03/12/2016 19:31

I used to pay my mum 250 a month 16 yrs ago when I was 18/19 so don't think you are paying too much.

Trifleorbust · 03/12/2016 19:32

HicDraconis: It's lovely that you wouldn't charge your kids to live with you, but that doesn't mean everyone has to subscribe to the same values. You still have the right to make that decision for yourself, as do the OP's parents. They're not unreasonable just because they don't do what you would do.

Anatidae · 03/12/2016 19:36

I wouldn't charge either (although if the family is really short of money then I think that's a different issue and more of a contribution to the household.)
But... I dont think the money is really the issue though is it? The dynamic in the house is clearly wrong and op isn't happy. There seems to be some significant issues regarding expectations re: her brothers care in the future etc.

Move out, op. Would you be happy if you weren't paying anything? Probably not given your posts. Move out, cut the cord and your parents and you can renegotiate a new relationship based on you both being independent adults, not the parent/child dynamic you are in right now.