How much keep to charge a 21 Yr old

[Marie061976]

My step son has come to live with us. He earns £330 a week. I have been charging £30 a week which I feel is far too low so I want to increase it as that doesn't even cover food. I do all his washing and cook dinner every night. He does nothing to contribute to the household at all. The 2nd query I have is what to charge when he's away? He went away for 4 nights and expected he would have to pay no keep as he wasn't there but in my thoughts his room was still there with all his belongings in. Since he moved I have had to move my office from his room into the spare room which means there is nowhere for the grandchildren to now stay which I'm not happy with hence my thoughts around him still having to pay something if he's on holiday. I'm interested in your thoughts on 1 what is fair to charge and 2 what to do when he's on holiday?

Why did you not discuss this before he moved in?

What is his father's thoughts on this?

£50pw and stop doing his washing and cooking, he's not a child. Think his dad needs to speak up.

It depends what you need to charge him. I have 3 young adults living at my house ( Ds1 and his gf and Ds2). I change Ds1 and his gf just £50 a month each as they share a room, gf never even uses the shower as she works in a gym and showers there and they very rarely eat with us. I don't charge Ds2 anything as he is saving frantically to buy his own home, so I feel that's the best way to help him. he is the only one of our four kids who has not cost us anything in helping him through Uni etc so I don't feel bad for letting him off board. He's a great saver and he does appreciate us not charging him anything as he knows his friends are charged a lot more. We have no mortgage. I put the money from ds1 and gf towards helping with Uni accomodation costs for DS3 ! Maybe I'm a pushover but I don't really need any more than what I get. If I did I would charge more !

Thank you all for your varied responses. They certainly have confirmed to me that £30 is too little! x

£30/week seems too little, and of course he pays when he is not there - the room is still available!

Also stop doing his laundry (clothes, bedding) and tell your dh to involve him in the household chores so he feels part of the family - helping with cooking, cleaning, giving input to meal planning, keeping communal areas tidy etc.

......The only caveat to that would be if he was still in education and had significant expenses (travel etc), I would expect to be supporting him still. Or if he was earnestly saving every penny towards a house deposit I would help out if I could afford to.

Adult working with lots of disposable income he is enjoying spending on a lifestyle/luxuries, no he pays his way.

Hi thanks fir your response. He is not in education and isn't saving anything. He is spending £300 a week on going out and holidays! Sorry He has a £10 a month phone sim xontrqct and £25 per month gym. No other costs