Charging rent

I would never consider charging rent to a family member whether I invited them or they needed a place to stay. I believe that family is supposed to help family. If I were you, I would not pay, I would kindly remind them about the outstanding loan that they still owe. My son stayed with me once, when he was having some problems, it was fine with me, and I was not charging him anything, he bought his own food. It was my husband who had the problem, he is not my son's father. My husband and I had many non speaking to each other days because of this, but when his son stayed with us, he paid nothing and didn't even buy his own food, in that case my husband said nothing, and neither did I because he is family.

I think they are wrong to charge you rent and that is simply for the reason that you are family and it has nothing todo with lending them miney - interest free - in the past. If they have financial problems then they should have said at the outset when they invited you to stay that they needed a financial contribution from you. At the present time we have my partner's mother living with us, because she needs a hip replacement and it is a huge risk for her to be on her own in her own home. She has been here for 5 weeks now and goes into hospital next week and after her operation she will be coming back here for a few weeks till she is well enough to return to her own home. She has done some of the housework and helped arond our home in general but we do not expect her to pay us for being here. In fact we would both be highly offended if she attempted to give us money for what we see is just something that families do, i.e. help each other. This is also more important when it comes to medical issues involving hospitalisation. So no we would not charge, nor would we accept money and we would not pay for it either. Sit down with your son and daughter-in-law and have a serious chat with them about the situation. Remind them that you have lent them money interest free in the past and that has not been repaid in full, yet you are not pressing them for the money. Also make sure they understand how upset you are with the situation of them asking for rent when they invited you to stay in the first place. Good luck but keep your money safe.

I would move to my daughters and before I went I would tell them that you would like to have the loan paid in full. They should be ashamed, especially since you are there because of illness. From now on until you move to your daughters I would do nothing and I wouldn't hesitate to tell them why. How old are these two greedy, un-caring people anyway.

That's quite weird since they invited you there plus, he's your son! That's so ungrateful, whoever thought of a mother who's being charged rent by her son?! Hmm.. If I were you, I'd ask them how much then I'd deduct it in their face to the outstanding balance they have on me, then move out once that outstanding balance has been exhausted. It's quite incredible how ungrateful children are today. That never happens here in my country. We respect our parents and we'd even give our parents allowances or money each month for their own. I'm so sad at the way things are going in your life, I know it must be such a pain with your husband and now an ungrateful son and his wife. Whew!

Like several other posters here I am shocked at this. How rude can they be? I would gladly let either or both of my parents stay with me as long as they wished, whether it be days, weeks, months or years. Personally, I'd be telling them why I was offended, and I'd be headed to the next nearest relative to bunk with them. I'd probably even remind SON that you didn't charge him rent or board all those years after his birth!

My mother paid my way most of my life, I could never ask for rent money from her. All that I would ask from her is a little bit of her time. Time with her granddaughters and time with me while she is there. Groceries are free too...Mom.

To para-phrase some wise old people. What goes around, comes around. Every dog has their day. Fate. and lastly.no I would not pay it.

I would pack my bags and leave if my son asked me to pay him rent! I would also be heartbroken that he and his wife would do this. Family is suppose to be there in times like this to help and support, not to make money off you. Go stay with your daughter and then send them a bill for the remaining balance they owe you.

OH MY GOD!! How could your son do this for you? How could they ask you to pay rent to them? Are you not the person who carried him for 9 months, fed him, clothe him, took care of him, educated him until he is able to be on his own two feet? Did you help them last time when they need a loan and still owe you money for it? Do you ask them to give you back the money? I'm sorry to say but I'm really disgusted by how your son treats you. And I do not know how he has the guts to even ask you for a weekly rent. Gosh.. Does he not feel anything? Would he want his son or daughter to do that to him next time? OMG.. why does he not think like that. I do not understand. How could you ever charge a family member for rent if you invited to stay, ESPECIALLY your mother?? I'm sorry to hear that you're in this situation and I do hope your husband will get better soon and you both go back to your own lives. But I suggest you do not pay your son. Because seriously, it's totally ridiculous that your son is actually asking you for you to pay rent. I suggest if you want to be pro-active towards him, just write him down a bill on you carrying him in your belly, the years you've taken care for him, the food that he ate, the accomodation you gave him and son on. And tell him to pay it up first, then you'll pay him. And do make sure it's all the years even the education you paid for him as well, his entertainment and toys and even right down to his underwear you bought for him!!

What a hide they have. I would never charge my parents rent, no matter how long they had to stay with me, especially if it was because one of them was ill in hospital. I can't believe that they did it. They definitely don't deserve you and I wouldn't pay it if I were you. Maybe you should start charging interest on that loan and say that they can take your rent out of that.

I personally think it is incredibly rude considering the fact that they owe you money. Even if they didn't owe you money, it is still ungracious, and inconsiderate. I'm sure you do what you can for your children on a regular basis and to be charged for a returned favor is a little absurd to me. I am the person that would invite anyone to stay with me if it was needed though. But wow, they did invite you. I would just casually mention the money that was never returned, thank them for the time of rent free stay and move on to my daughters house. Explain how you feel about this. I think that if it is not addressed it could cause long term relationship problems. I wish you all the best of luck, and I truely hope that your husband gets his good health back. God bless.

My parents came to stay with me while they were having their retirement house built right on the lot in back of me. My mom did most of the cleaning and cooking since she was home all day. We went grocery shopping and she contributed her fair share and I think my dad even paid the electric bill once or twice (they were there for 3 or 4 months). I think it was a good arrangement. I was single at the time and could never have afforded groceries for two extra people, and they did use extra electricity for the washer and dryer, dishwasher, extra lights on all day and in their room. If they had not contributed, I think I would have asked them to. Of course, they were two people and you were only one, so the situation is different. I don't know your financial situation, but maybe you could have paid for the groceries you were eating. Since they owed you money I don't think you should have contributed beyond that. It probably would have been a good idea to bring this up when you first arrived. You could have offered to take X amount off of the loan to cover the little extras due to your stay. Just picking up a loaf of bread now and then is not, in my opinion, a sufficient contribution. So to answwer your question about charging rent, I would have to say yes, although I feel the person staying with me should know enough to contribute on their own. In your case your son owed you money, so I would have to say no, but only in this situation. However, when you do go to your daughter's place, you should contribute for your food and a few dollars for the extras. I do agree with the other responder that you should talk this out with your son so there are no hard feelings. I hope that your husband is well on the road to recovery. My best to you.