single mum and baby

[hannah40]

we have someone stay with us from a charity that houses single mums and babies.we have a mum and her baby stay with us but her rent allowance from the council is the same as a single person £65 we are alittle surprised as it costs us more to have them both here .do you think this sounds fair to you?would you expect more money for letting out a room to 2 people or would you charge the same as one.?

[hc4361]

How does it cost you more? Hot water and electricity for washing machine etc?

[hc4361]

Tia, the council pays her housing benefit, not the charity.

[hannah40]

double the washing 2 nightly baths 2 lots of cooking 3 times a day extra electric.all i want to know if any one would expect extra for having 2 people or that it is fair to charge the same rent as having a single person stay.

[bednobs]

does this 65 quid include food/laundry etc?

[hannah40]

her child benefit and child tax credits is for her and the baby not rent

[China Doll]

I wouldn't expect the baby to take up the same resources as a fully grown person so to me single rent makes a kind of sense.

[hannah40]

we dont buy her food but we do her washing

[bednobs]

well if its just for rent and not for food and other stuff, it seems that as they are presumably sharing the same room it's right

[hannah40]

they have a double room with free view a computer use of full facilities ,i wouldnt mind moving in myself for £65!!!

[redcrx]

How old is the baby? Surely they can't be using that much hot water etc? Ok there'll be more clothes to wash but they can share a bath

[hannah40]

we know that you share baths ect if moneys tight but i cant tell the a lodger to.

[redcrx]

well the thing is, rent is rent, if you choose to include the electricity in the rental charge then you need to accept that this is all youre going to get from her housing benefit.
rent is per property / room not per person.
if you cant afford this and cant ask her to cut down then you have little choice.

[bednobs]

so if it was just her alone you'd accept the £65 - is that what you are saying?
if you don't want to lose money then stop offering accommodation

[whiskeryron]

// we have someone stay with us from a charity that houses single mums and babies.we have a mum and her baby stay with us but her rent allowance from the council is the same as a single person £65 // Perhaps this is an odd question but are you in this for the money?

[laurisa]

the council wouldn't pay any more because they are only in one room of shared accomidation as far as the council are concerned they dont take into account electricty and gas and any other things you may let her use, if you want money for that then you would have to ask her to contribute directly from her own pocket. the council wouldnt give you any more money unless you gave her two rooms.

[pretty_snowdrop]

I do understand your reasoning and appreciate you need to make your living. However i would expect a mother and her baby to always be classed as one person as far as rent is concerned. I am not up to date on the benefits for single parents but won't she be also receiving additional benefits to live on? If she is getting full board, washing done etc i agree she is onto a good thing.

[hannah40]

no im not in it for the money as you dont make any money out it at all.but when the charity tell you its more rent for having the 3yrold stay as well i was abit surprised when we got the same rent.but we accept it and am pleased that all your amswers agree with that

[bednobs]

my answer didn't agree with that!

[hannah40]

bed nobs i understand your answer but im happy to have them stay.i just wanted to know how others felt.