[Thunders Mom]

My mother has been renting the basement of my house out for 12 yrs. now. She started out at $300 and is up to $350. We want to raise her rent to $500 (and be done with it) and when I mentioned that we were going to raise her rent starting April 1st, she said, you raise my rent and I move out April 1st. She didn't even ask how much or anything. My timing probably sucked as she is worried about her job. BUT, she goes to bingo at the casino every weekend and some nites during the week to other places, which is no big deal. She will be 70 in Oct. and has to be cancer free 5 yrs. for insurance purposes, which she will be in Oct. if all goes well.

DH says let her look and see what's out there for $500 or $600 and let her make the decision. He said she will move to ND to be with her friend, and I said nope, she'll wait til Oct. then move to NC to be with my brother.

Yes we would miss the extra income, but at the same token, I don't think her rent covers her portion of everything either. Mother or not...

Plus we wouldn't have a built in dog sitter on a whim either. But, you know what, after the last time she dog sat, I told DH I'm not happy with her dog sitting either at this point. So the dogs will either come with us or we will stay home!!! No biggie to me.

 

[Clanceycanuck]

Oh wow - very sticky situation. I think it would depend on how independent is she, do you both like the current situation, is $500 a lot for a basement in your area? etc.

 

[Princess Zoe]

You charge your Mom rent?

 

[kaisdad]

How does the price compare to other basement suites in the immediate neighborhood? If she's getting a bargain, show her some comparables so that she knows she's paying too little (if in fact she is). Your asking price should reflect the current prices in your area.

 

[Mocha]

renting to friends and relatives is always a tough one. Is there a reason to jump from 350 to 500 at this particular time.

 

[Thunders Mom]

Main reason for the big jump is the cost of everything has gone up. Heat, electricity, water, etc. She gets free use of the washer & dryer, has a garage to park in during the winter months.

$500 is cheap for a basement or apt. She would move to an apt I think before someone's basement, unless she knew them.

And yes she can get around just fine. Nothing wrong with her mentally or physically.

 

[BauersMom]

My BIL pays $200/month to live in our basement. Raising his rent to $350 would probably send him over the edge. You have a much more delicate situation with the renter being your mom. I certainly don't envy you, that is a tough situation.

*Runs to send DH a text message about raising the basement rent.*

 

[TangerineFizz]

I'm sorry, but I don't think you should raise it. It's your mother.

 

[kelli]

how about instead of charging her rent, you only charge her half of utilities.. that way she knows what she's paying for and understand the cost.

Although i have to say.. i don't think i could ever charge my mom rent.. if she can't afford a house, she stays with me. Period.

 

[blacklabparent]

I'm sorry, but I don't think you should raise it. It's your mother.

My feelings too. This is your mom.

 

[jzgrlduff]

You charge your Mom rent?

Why not? To me it's no different than charging your adult children rent if they live with you. And for 12 years?! Come on! **** straight, I'd charge her.

how about instead of charging her rent, you only charge her half of utilities.. that way she knows what she's paying for and understand the cost.

I say keep her rent at $350 but ask her to pay 1/2 the utilities.

 

[Ender's Mom]

Every family is different guys.

I know my mom would charge me rent if I needed to go live with her.

(and yeah it's not the same situation... but I'm just pointing out that different families have different kinds of financial relationships)

 

[blacklabparent]

how about instead of charging her rent, you only charge her half of utilities.. that way she knows what she's paying for and understand the cost.

Although i have to say.. i don't think i could ever charge my mom rent.. if she can't afford a house, she stays with me. Period.

That.

 

[Thunders Mom]

Charge her half of anything, LMAO...she would say a third! LMAO

 

[kelli]

Well.. whatever.. you can hide the "rent" by calling it utilities. Something that works for everyone.

 

[joflake]

Wow, that's a tough one. I couldn't imagine telling my mom she had to pay rent, but she'd probably insist on paying a little something just to help out. And that would go for me too. If I needed a place to stay, I know I could stay with my parents.

 

[jzgrlduff]

but she'd probably insist on paying a little something just to help out.

Yea but we're talking 12 years. That's a looooong time, it's not like a temporary 6 month to a year thing. Yikes.

 

[joflake]

Yea but we're talking 12 years. That's a looooong time, it's not like a temporary 6 month to a year thing. Yikes.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe it depends on the situation when it started out. If it was an agreement to treat it as a rental property and charge accordingly with cost of living going up through the years, then it wouldn't be unfair to raise the rent, I just probably couldn't do it to my mom if she were with me and elderly. Now if she's loaded, that's another story!

 

[Golfgirlrobin]

I wouldn't change terms unless my own finances had taken such a nosedive that I had no other choice. I just couldn't raise rent on somebody who is nearing 70 and still has to work.

Parents make a lot of sacrifices. Having that go the other way in their later years seems pretty reasonable to me.

 

[zoezoe]

I don't have a problem with charging her rent...nothing wrong with that, especially if she is healthy and able bodied to actually live elsewhere and this is a convenience for her. BUT going from $350 to $500 is a bit steep. And as you said, you get "free" dog sitting services when needed, and I'm sure other perks here and there. I doubt very seriously your mom is using an additional $150/month worth of water and electricity. It is your mom....maybe ask her to help with some meals or other things around the house rather than going after her purse....JMO or ask for $50 more...that would be more in line that $150. Just because other places nearby charge that or more isn't a reason to go after it with your mom. You never know when you might really need to lean on her for something in the future. Don't burn your bridges.