If this was an other family members idea. I would just pay the $1000 myself and not say anything about where it came from.

I think you’re both a bit in the wrong. I wouldn’t charge rent for an uninhabitable shed. I think it would be fine to do so if it was an actua bedroom that is up to code.

But she was clearly wrong and tacky to bash you for it.

I think you should make all the boys split utilities and put up a security deposit so they are more inclined not to wreck the place. I think you should also make clear that if they wreck the place they are responsible for all damage and will not be allowed to stay there without older 2nd gen supervision in the future. Also give them some projects to do if here are capable of that.

Anonymous wrote:I would not charge money but I would absolutely want a release since he is not living in a habitable unit. Whether it would be enforceable or not is an open issue, but I would at least want it.

+1000

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Three college aged boys are going to live for free for the summer and your son invited a friend to join them. Of course the implication is that it's free.

Also calling $333/month for a glorified shed with no running water or kitchen "nominal rent" is hilarious. That's highway robbery.

OP here. The friend would use the kitchen, baths, electricity, water, and gas like all the others and undoubtedly hang out in the house all the time he wasn't sleeping. The other boys are living for free because... their family owns the house.

You're charging him to camp. And no kidding their family owns the house. It doesn't change the fact that your son invited this kid under the implication he would be joining them in their fun "we have somewhere to stay" summer and it would be free and now you're trying to make a buck.

You have no idea what the invitation was or any implications attached. Stick to the facts or back out. Last time I checked, camping didn't have bathrooms and AC. Or a stove. Or hot water.

I'd yank the invite just because she was sh*t talking you. What an ingrate.

State camp sites in my state with electric, water and sewer run $40/night. The kid has a screaming deal!

Woo. This sounds like a bad idea all around. Do you remember what college dudes were like? The beach house is going to get wrecked. Also, while I do agree that this kids nom sounds a little entitled, I personally would not be super keen to rent out what cannot possibly be a legal dwelling.

Are these college kids? Why is the mom even involved?

Anonymous wrote:How much is the electricity going to cost for the outhouse and its A/C all night, all summer?

My guess is $70 to $100 a month.

OPs ILs are major penny pinchers.
NC has many, many, many cheap ass beaches. Notice that OP neglected the name. My guess-the cottage/shed is hard to rent. Not on the ocean, think more rustic.
Yes, the mom of the shed-stayer is in the right. OP and family are cheaper than the cheapest person you know.
Is the cottage/shed furnished with plastic covered 70s furniture and paneling? That’s the image.

No other family members want to use the beach house in the summer? I find that odd.

Charging rent for a room without running water? No way! Your kid invited his friend, probably under the assumption that he would stay there for free.

The only way I think charging rent would be okay, is if you would be losing out on rental income by letting the friend stay there. Since you can't rent a space without running water, you aren't losing any money by letting the kid live there.

Let them all live rent free at a nice beach house! Spoil them!

Don't charge the friend rent. Don't let him live there. Friend needs to find his own place to stay for the summer.

I’m pretty risk tolerant but I would not let someone live for the summer in an outbuilding that’s not up to building code on my property.

I wouldn’t charge the kids rent but I would insist that three college age kids put up a security deposit unless they personally are part owners.

I bet the kids had this all worked out as a free place to stay and the mom was completely blindsided.

If it had been me, I would have had my son deal with it. But I wouldn’t charge rent. These are kids just starting to get on their feet. If you can afford a beach house you can afford the nominal expense of an extra kid in the house. They’re not asking you to buy the food.

OP you clearly said this dwelling has been used by family as extra bedrooms-so this kid using it isn't what people are implying-he'd be using space that the family has used in past not some hellhole. $333 a month - or $10 a day for a bed and use of kitchen/bath/common areas is an extreme deal. If this kid's mom is talking bad about you-I would rescind the offer. She's rude and screwing up great opportunity for her kid. Don't listen to the PPs who think you shouldn't charge. If nothing else-the charge has been an inexpensive way to find out this kid comes from ungrateful family.