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AIBU?

AIBU to charge parents some rent?

211 replies

Goneforgood72 · 10/03/2017 11:57

My parents are in the process of moving house. They are in a bit of a pickle as they sold their place, agreed a moving date, put in an offer on a new place - then changed their minds and withdrew the offer. They've since put a deposit on a new-build which is great, but their entry date is several months after they have agreed to vacate their existing house. So they have to find temporary accommodation for 4-5 months. Neither myself nor my sister are able to accommodate them easily: I live overseas and my sister doesn't have a spare room; she and her OH would have to move into their child's bedroom if my parents were to go there.

DH and I own a 1-bed flat in the same city that we currently rent out. The rental income is really important to us: I've been a SAHM for a while, and the rent we receive goes some way to making up the shortfall of living on one salary: it pays for activities for our children, for big spends like new bikes, and is a pot of money for emergencies. The tenants have just given us notice that they are going to leave in a few weeks. We'd be very happy to offer the flat to my parents as long as they need it, but would we BU to charge them some rent for it? They are unlikely to find anywhere for free, and the reduced rent that we'd charge would be considerably less than they would pay elsewhere. They don't have loads of money to throw at it, but at the same time a 4-5 month period of no rent would really put a dent in our family income.

So AWBU to charge a reduced rent to my parents?

OP posts:

Report

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 10/03/2017 12:30

That's the thing about new builds. You have to be out of your old one way before your new one is ready. We had to rent for six months under similar circumstances.

I think I'd charge enough to cover the shortfall you talk about, plus bills, but perhaps not the market value of the rent. I imagine they'll have to pay to store most of their furniture as well.

Tarbert · 10/03/2017 12:30

What interest will they earn on the money from the house sale whilst waiting to pay for the new property? Maybe they could pay you that as rent??

charlestrenet · 10/03/2017 12:32

Of course I wouldn't stiff my parents for money to stay in my spare house. I wouldn't stiff them for money to stay in my house either, even if I didn't have a spare house kicking around (as one does, apparently).

Goneforgood72 · 10/03/2017 12:34

Personally, I would feel very grabby even asking for it.

Mind you, they'd probably feel grabby for not offering, so we'd end up somewhere in the middle anyway.

That's about it! I do feel a bit grabby, I'd love to offer to help them out rent free for as long as they need it - at the same time, the income is part of our family's financial security (as well as treats) - saving for uni, emergency travel costs, etc etc. Unlike my parents, DH and I don't have generous final salary pensions waiting for us nor are we likely to have a large property to downsize from when we retire! So they are not short of money, it's more that they are in a situation they didn't expect to find themselves in and having to spend money to get out of it. They haven't asked - we haven't mentioned it yet as we only found out yesterday that the tenants were moving on.

Thanks all, I think we will go with the middle ground of offering them the flat at a reduced rent, saving them a lot of money and giving them an open-ended option, where they still get their own space and they can stay local.

OP posts:

TheVeryThing · 10/03/2017 12:34

abbsisspartacus · 10/03/2017 12:35

My family would offer to pay just as I would offer to pay them if the roles were reversed

kamarastar · 10/03/2017 12:36

As long as its a reduced rate I would just tell them its income you need given you usually rent it out; I guess they would understand that, especially as you have children - their grand kids. It's mutual consideration that'll make it a win win situation. All best.

EmGee · 10/03/2017 12:36

I note that they haven't asked you and you haven't offered yet.
You may be surprised that if you offer, they will insist on paying some/all rent.

I have a house that I rent in my parent's home town. It has been said more than once (by my mum) that it'll be fine when they eventually move house, as if they haven't found anywhere suitable, they can just live in mine! (My mum is not backwards in coming forwards ). I actually wouldn't ask them to pay rent but knowing my dad, he would not be comfortable with that situation. We would probably negotiate that they would pay the equivalent of the mortgage (less than a quarter of the rental income) and pay the bills. My dad would probably insist on paying more though as that is his nature.

I would like to help them out and I know they wouldn't abuse the situation e.g. stay there for ever! They would also do lots of useful little DIY jobs and the house/garden would look better than ever after which would be a bonus when it came to re-letting.

My parents have always been there for me so in all honesty, I wouldn't think twice if my house was empty/available to let. That said, I don't depend on this income to live. It's a form of savings.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/03/2017 12:37

I'd like to know whether the parents have actually asked about staying in the flat, or if the idea has come from OP? Also is it possible the parents considered (possible) availability of the flat when making their house plans?

Otherwise, and on balance, I agree that charging something to at least cover the bills sounds sensible, while making it as little as OP could manage on ... but as PPs have said, a lot depends on the state of their relationship

chocatoo · 10/03/2017 12:37

Would it be worth talking with your sister too? Maybe she could share some of the financial hit that you would be taking if you let your parents have the flat cheap?

Stardust1901 · 10/03/2017 12:37

YANBU OP.

I can't believe some posters. OP CANNOT afford to let her property for free. It's not a matter of 'well they did xyz for you..'. She can't afford to.

By allowing her parents to stay rent free, OP would be losing money out of her own pocket to pay for their accommodation. If OP didn't have a second property and her parents checked into a B&B should OP be liable for paying for that? No.

I'm sure if OP could afford to let to her parents rent free she would, as most people would.

Kiroro · 10/03/2017 12:38

maybe ask them to do some food shops for you or something to help out?

Reading comprehension.... low.

OP YANBU - this is a form of income you depend on. The situation is exactly the same as asking a relative to PAY for your rent for a few months.

You can be super flexible with them and their move dates, and can offer as much a reduced amount as you can. Do note that you still need to conform to all 'normal' letting laws e.g. around electrical safety etc.

Bantanddec · 10/03/2017 12:38

So there is no one currently occupying the flat? So you're not getting any rent from it anyway? That will be their argument!

But I do not think yabu they should make a contribution.

Kiroro · 10/03/2017 12:38

Would it be worth talking with your sister too? Maybe she could share some of the financial hit that you would be taking if you let your parents have the flat cheap?

Why??? Why can't the parents just pay????

witsender · 10/03/2017 12:38

There is no way in a million years my parents would even consider living there for free. Absolutely no way.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/03/2017 12:39

Sorry, OP - cross posted with you

Kiroro · 10/03/2017 12:40

The parents have an accommodation issue, they do NOT HAVE A MONEY PROBLEM! They do not need money from the OP, or her sister. I'm sure they would hate to cause financial hardship on their children.

Kiroro · 10/03/2017 12:41

So there is no one currently occupying the flat? So you're not getting any rent from it anyway? That will be their argument!

The OP will get new tenants FFS, it isn;t going to stay empty for long.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 10/03/2017 12:41

I was OK with this until we got to the 'generous final salary pensions.' What do you regard as generous?

Thinking about it more, in order to be able to own two properties, your family must have a reasonable income.

I don't think they will expect rent free. But it's family, so some generosity would presumably be appreciated.

Trifleorbust · 10/03/2017 12:42

There's no imperative for them to take your flat at all if they're not short of cash, is there? Sorry, I don't really get the dilemma. You don't particularly want to go without the cash, although you do need a new tenant anyway. They can afford to rent a place but might appreciate the offer of a reduced rent. Easy peasy.

SapphireStrange · 10/03/2017 12:42

So there is no one currently occupying the flat? So you're not getting any rent from it anyway? That will be their argument!

I don't get this argument. There ARE tenants. OK, they're moving out, but not for a few weeks, and the OP could easily decide to get new ones in instead of offering it to her parents; then there WOULD be someone in it.

drspouse · 10/03/2017 12:42

You haven't said if you have a mortgage, if so it is very unlikely they would let you rent to family.
If they do, they will need you to have a proper tenancy agreement.
I don't think it's U at all to charge family a reasonable rent and those saying you can just cut back - would you tell your DCs they can't go swimming/have to stop having music lessons because granny and grandpa are moving house? That's just mean.

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SleepOhHowIMissYou · 10/03/2017 12:43

Haven't read whole thread, so apologies if repeating.

Do you have a mortgage on flat? If yes, can parents pay enough to cover it? That seems fair.

JigglyTuff · 10/03/2017 12:44

If my parents were in this situation, they would insist on paying rent. It's part of the OP's income. In the same way as I would offer to pay rent to any of my friends or family if I rented a property of theirs.

It's not that the parents are desperately poor - they just fucked up by going ahead with the sale of their property without having somewhere to move to.

Alternatively, the OP could just find new tenants and her parents could rent somewhere at market value which seems stupid.

Mermaidinthesea · 10/03/2017 12:44

NO WAY, your parents asked for nothing bringing you up, you clearly only need this money for emergencies and I think you totally owe it to them.
Tell them you reply on the extra money for emergencies and if the boiler goes or something they may have to contribute but otherwise suck it up, it's for 7 months which is nothing in the scheme of things.
They made sacrifices for you, so make a sacrifice for them.

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