How much 'Keep' do I charge my Siblings?

[Mavis808]

I'm not even sure I've posted this in the right section but here we go... I'm a Landlord with properties, however have found myself in quite an initially funny situation. Both my siblings split from their partners last year and both asked if they could stay with me (in the same week), one with child. Of course I said yes 'Short Term' until they got back on track. Anyway 6 months on...and they are still with me and I'm not sure they can afford their own places. There has been no progress in them moving on.

I've only charged them £200 a month each 'Keep' to cover the bills so far as they are family. I was in the middle of renovations when they moved in, however my nephew drew on the walls in the area's I had just renovated...so i've put a halt to that until they've moved out!!!

The facts::
- My two siblings are still sharing a room as I put a halt to the renovations because of the damage being caused, otherwise they could have a room each.
- My Nephew is in the other room.
- One sibling is on very good salary but fritters money away so not sure they can even save a deposit (37). The other is also working, has a good deposit but on Part-Time Salary and with Child.(41).

It is not my intention to make money from my siblings, however I didn't intend for them to be here this long, bills are also rising! Being a landlord they have caused some damage which of course being family I will overlook.


Question: How much 'Keep/Rent' is a fair amount?
(4 bed House, Affluent area in Cheshire.)

[jpucng62]

I would suggest you split Council Tax, Water & Utilities 3 ways. If you eat together the same with food.

[Neelix]

£200 each is too low …. Are they contributing anything other than the money ?

[Mrs Mug]

Find out what the rent would be for one bedroom in a local all bills included HMO, then charge them something around that.

[Mavis808]

£200 each is too low …. Are they contributing anything other than the money ?

No, just a tad of cleaning here and there.

[Mavis808]

Find out what the rent would be for one bedroom in a local all bills included HMO, then charge them something around that.

£300-£500 per Month

[Mavis808]

I would suggest you split Council Tax, Water & Utilities 3 ways. If you eat together the same with food.

That works out at £120 a Month Each.

[ash72]

If you want them out, then don't charge too much otherwise they will never leave. Also any income you get needs to be declared, unless its under the spare rooms allowance threshold.

I would have an open and frank talk with them, ask them how much they can afford to pay while they stay there, when they intend to be moving on, and what the barrier is for them not leaving sooner...... If you don't address it, they will become permanent residents.

[DoricPixie]

ash72 I was thinking the opposite. Too cheap and they’ll get too comfortable and never want to leave. Low rent for a short period whilst they save a deposit is one thing but low rent whilst they fritter money away is quite another.

[Mrs Mug]

Too cheap and they’ll get too comfortable and never want to leave.

Exactly this.

[jpucng62]

That works out at £120 a Month Each.

Well you said you didn't want to make money from them! Presumably your bills will be higher in the winter when the heating comes back on.

[jpkeates]

Either take the advice in post #4, and charge an equivalent rate, or work out how much they actually cost and charge that.

The latter might be a useful budgeting exercise anyway.

[Neelix]

That works out at £120 a Month Each.

So your existing council tax , lecky , gas and water is £360 per month - are you allowing for the gas and lecky increases?

[Mavis808]

So your existing council tax , lecky , gas and water is £360 per month - are you allowing for the gas and lecky increases?

These are the bills at present but likely to increase during winter.

[theartfullodger]

Common advice round here (but not always..) is never rent to relatives or friends or any combination (eg friends of relatives). You charge than whatever you like, if they ain't happy they leave or get evicted.

If total rent in a year more than £7500 then needs declaring and tax on it paid.

(I'm on 6 benefits).. if you are in receipt of any benefit be aware some may be impacted by renting out part of your home and the income you get thereby