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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

How much board to charge?

30 replies

Contemplatinglife · 30/07/2025 15:35

Looking for opinions please, 17 year old son starting an apprenticeship. How much board should we charge? Will be losing the child benefit money we receive for him

OP posts:
OhHellolittleone · 30/07/2025 15:36

None? He’s a child. Or if you really need to ask for the money you’re losing from CB.

Blimeyblighty · 30/07/2025 15:37

If you need it, then the child benefit you’re losing.

Pinty · 30/07/2025 15:38

I wouldn't charge anything as apprentices don't get a huge training allowance.
But if you would struggle without the child benefit perhaps ask him for an equivalent amount.

ClassicalQueen · 30/07/2025 15:38

No more than the child benefit you’re losing, but only if you need it. Let him enjoy his money then teach him about managing money responsibly, using a savings account and budgeting for wants and needs.

gotellsomeone · 30/07/2025 15:39

None, he’s still a child.
Though I would expect to be paying for most of his own food, phone bill, clothes, social expenses etc

Overtheatlantic · 30/07/2025 15:39

I wouldn’t charge him anything to live in the family home while he’s still a child. Ask him to pay for his food maybe.

Original poster
Contemplatinglife · 30/07/2025 15:44

Interesting opinions. Thank you all

OP posts:
ErlingHaalandsManBun · 30/07/2025 16:00

Absolutely none. Not at that age and an apprenticeship surely won't pay much.

I wouldn't ask for board from either of ours unless they were in FT work and earning a fairly decent amount and my parents did the same for me which I was very grateful for.

midlifeattheoasis · 30/07/2025 17:28

None of course

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 30/07/2025 17:29

I wouldn't charge anything unless you're struggling financially yourselves.

RaininSummer · 30/07/2025 17:30

He isn't a child and needs to learn about paying his way and bills. Maybe only 30 quid a week though unless he is on a higher paid apprenticeship.

LoopyGremlin · 30/07/2025 17:31

i think it’s important for teenagers to start valuing and appreciating money. My son is starting a PT job while still at school and we will be taking a minimal amount that we intend to put into his savings account.

How much will he be earning @Contemplatinglife

Coconutter24 · 30/07/2025 17:33

Nothing, he’s still legally a child and apprenticeship wages aren’t exactly great. Will you struggle without the child benefit? If you’ll struggle or go into debt just ask for the child benefit amount but I’d honestly only do that if desperate. Now’s the time to encourage him to get saving whilst he’s earning and no real bills because he’ll soon be an adult and have bills etc

isitmytime · 30/07/2025 17:34

I was charged digs from the start of working to help me better manage money. So from 16 I paid £40 a month at my Saturday job until I left school and got a full time job then it went to £150. I never complained.
my folks didn’t need it and when I moved I got it all back plus more as a deposit. It definitely helped me be more careful with my spending

ddfd21 · 30/07/2025 17:39

Won’t you still be getting child benefit and universal credits for him if it’s below a certain amount?

phlossy · 30/07/2025 17:40

My son is doing an apprenticeship and getting approx 1100 a month! Has zero bills to pay for and I’m now losing 350 a month (child benefit, universal credit and dad has decided to stop any maintenance now ds is earning money) so he pays 250 a month and happily agreed to that amount.

and no I won’t be putting it away for his future because I need it to contribute to keeping him housed and’s fed.

feel awful after reading some of these now but needs must

RaininSummer · 30/07/2025 17:41

ddfd21 · 30/07/2025 17:39

Won’t you still be getting child benefit and universal credits for him if it’s below a certain amount?

No she won't as he is counted as working now. Is the OP even on benefits or did I miss that bit. If the family are getting UC, he moves to being a non dependent but no deduction is a made for him until he is 21 I think.

UnlimitedBacon · 30/07/2025 17:42

Depends how much he’s earning op. Some apprenticeships pay quite well. What will his income be?

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 30/07/2025 17:44

phlossy · 30/07/2025 17:40

My son is doing an apprenticeship and getting approx 1100 a month! Has zero bills to pay for and I’m now losing 350 a month (child benefit, universal credit and dad has decided to stop any maintenance now ds is earning money) so he pays 250 a month and happily agreed to that amount.

and no I won’t be putting it away for his future because I need it to contribute to keeping him housed and’s fed.

feel awful after reading some of these now but needs must

Please don't feel awful. If you need the money towards his keep, then it's totally fair enough to ask him to contribute.

I find it weird when parents with plenty of money charge their kids to live at home just for the sake of it, but I would find it even weirder for a young person to live at home with loads of disposable income while their parents were struggling to make ends meet.

TakeMeDancing · 30/07/2025 17:45

None.

I’m not charging DC anything as long as they are in education/training. Once they are finished, if they want to stay, that can be a different discussion.

Mintymatchmakerheaven · 30/07/2025 17:45

My 18 year has more disposable income than me! At 17 they were on an apprenticeship but i didn't charge rent. Now they're 18 i charge £50/ week

Original poster
Contemplatinglife · 30/07/2025 17:46

To answer a few questions, no we don't receive universal credit or any other benefits. His gross pay will be £312 a week. Had planned to still pay for all his food and phone bill but he would pay for clothing and hair cuts etc. Would also expect him to save a certain amount too but would leave that upto him to decide on an amount

OP posts:
fourplusfour · 30/07/2025 17:46

phlossy · 30/07/2025 17:40

My son is doing an apprenticeship and getting approx 1100 a month! Has zero bills to pay for and I’m now losing 350 a month (child benefit, universal credit and dad has decided to stop any maintenance now ds is earning money) so he pays 250 a month and happily agreed to that amount.

and no I won’t be putting it away for his future because I need it to contribute to keeping him housed and’s fed.

feel awful after reading some of these now but needs must

Don't feel bad, needs must. My daughter earned similar doing an apprenticeship and I lost all UC, child benefit and social tariffs on utilities. I was close to £500 a month worse off once it was all added up.

AudiobookListener · 30/07/2025 17:49

At 17 just what you lose in CB. At 18 just what he costs you in food and bills. I don't think parents should make a profit from their kids so no rent though.

Mumof1andacat · 30/07/2025 18:45

If he's earning then he needs to pay for all clothes, toiletries, mobile phone, entertainment and transport. I also think he should be contributing to the running of the house like cooking a meal once a week to start with and some house hold jobs.