Anonymous wrote:How much would your niece be paying for room/board at college? I think it's fair to charge that much, maybe a little less. I'd probably charge around $600/month which would be very fair for room/board.

She'll be gone a lot for her internship and she'll be driving herself places, so having her live with you for a couple of months should be fairly easy.

Anonymous wrote:I would either tell her she’s on her own for groceries and cleaning, (and follow through to make sure the cleaning happens) or I would charge a nominal amount like $400 to cover groceries and extra housekeeping visits.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would want nominal rent unless I were very close to the niece, to defray utilities and general hassle. I think it’s reasonable and will make you feel better about the arrangement. Her family is saving a ton by having her stay with you. It sounds like she’s not especially sensitive or careful, so you will have a little cushion when, inevitably, she breaks stuff or damages it. I’d also want to specify meal arrangements and house rules (does she have to be home at a certain time? Should she text if she’ll be out past midnight? Can she have friends come hang out at the house?) ahead of time.

In case I sound harsh with the above response I want to say that I have a teen with aspergers and living with him presents challenges that make this a pretty big imposition. You are very likely going to have to provide more support and companionship and coaching than you’d provide to a typical niece, and tolerate some quirky behaviors — and honestly if you aren’t used to it, several months of it will be a lot. So I’m a yes on rent, or at the very least groceries paid by her parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m disgusted you would even consider taking money.

Oh well. Be disgusted. I find your entitled attitude that the Op is somehow obligated to give this young lady free room and board beyond disgusting. So there.

That young lady is her niece. Good lord.

-np

+ 1
Says a lot about the family that OP has come from and her basic sense of decency though.

I would suggest that she asks for money if she was financially strapped and struggling to put food on the table.
In my experience, having family live with you does not increase your cost in a way that matters. How expensive is buying basic groceries for one more person? OMG!

OP said that her brother’s family spends a lot more on groceries than she does. The niece might be used to getting fancy items from Whole Foods while OP usually shops at Aldi. That would necessitate a discussion about the food budget at least.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never ask for anything. You are her aunt, and she is not moving in forever. I never cease to be amazed at American cheapness and the lack of familial bonds. If she was my dd staying at her aunt's, I would send my sister a wonderful present as a thank you. My sister would love spending time with my dd. If this is such a burden to you, you should refuse to host her, that would be less hurtful than this money grab.

+100

Minus points for the American cheapness comment -- there are cheap in ALL countries & ALL cultures.

I agree on most other points though... this OP sounds like she is going to be her sanctimonious, type A self the entire time her poor learning disabled niece is there and the OP will be a NIGHTMARE to live with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m disgusted you would even consider taking money.

Oh well. Be disgusted. I find your entitled attitude that the Op is somehow obligated to give this young lady free room and board beyond disgusting. So there.

That young lady is her niece. Good lord.

-np

+ 1
Says a lot about the family that OP has come from and her basic sense of decency though.

I would suggest that she asks for money if she was financially strapped and struggling to put food on the table.
In my experience, having family live with you does not increase your cost in a way that matters. How expensive is buying basic groceries for one more person? OMG!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never ask for anything. You are her aunt, and she is not moving in forever. I never cease to be amazed at American cheapness and the lack of familial bonds. If she was my dd staying at her aunt's, I would send my sister a wonderful present as a thank you. My sister would love spending time with my dd. If this is such a burden to you, you should refuse to host her, that would be less hurtful than this money grab.

+100

Minus points for the American cheapness comment -- there are cheap in ALL countries & ALL cultures.

I agree on most other points though... this OP sounds like she is going to be her sanctimonious, type A self the entire time her poor learning disabled niece is there and the OP will be a NIGHTMARE to live with.

Anonymous wrote:I would never ask for anything. You are her aunt, and she is not moving in forever. I never cease to be amazed at American cheapness and the lack of familial bonds. If she was my dd staying at her aunt's, I would send my sister a wonderful present as a thank you. My sister would love spending time with my dd. If this is such a burden to you, you should refuse to host her, that would be less hurtful than this money grab.

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised no one has offered OP food. We hosted my nephew last summer for the whole summer. SIL insisted on some money (we declined twice but she kept insisting) and nephew did contribute some to food/groceries. Although I strongly suspect it was SIL telling him to buy household things like TP, paper towels, cleaners, etc.

What we did do was draw up some "house rules". They were pretty lenient but had to do with cleaning and some very basic expectations regarding guests. We had no issues and he is likely coming for part of this summer as well

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m disgusted you would even consider taking money.

Oh well. Be disgusted. I find your entitled attitude that the Op is somehow obligated to give this young lady free room and board beyond disgusting. So there.

That young lady is her niece. Good lord.

-np

?
With family like OP (and the poster above) who needs enemies, right?

I will forever be grateful to people who offered me a helping hand when I was in college and had nothing. OP could be investing in her nieces future. OP have you ever needed help in your life before? Do you hate your brother?

What makes you think that the niece and her family have nothing? This young woman is in college and she has landed a nice internship for herself. Op is happy to open up her home to her niece but it would be super cheap of the parents and the niece to not offer to pay the Op some rent money. It's called mutual consideration.

I would never, ever charge my siblings’ kids rent.