charging my kids rent

[kikimon]

how much rent should i charge my child? he is 18 and has a full time job. how much should i ask him to contribute towards the household bills a week? Hope anyone can give me some ideas. thanks

[Ethel]

Two ways.

A third of his take home pay is the traditional route.

Or divide all bills by the amount of people living in the house and ask him to pay his share.

If you feel this is too much you could always put a portion in a savings account for him (without his knowing) for the day when he decides to leave home - and give him a nice surprise.

I certainly don't believe in supporting adult children who are working.

Maybe I'm just mean!

[kikimon]

thanks ethel, and no you are not mean. I was charged rent by my parents and that was over 25 years ago so we are not on our own to think kids should pay their way.

[Oneeyedvic]

I would concur with Ethel - charge him a sensible amount (say �40per week)- but keep aportion of it saved up for him - this means that he learns responsibility and is used to part of his wages going to 'rent'.

When he leaves it will be a nice suprise for him (and may help him out with deposit etc)

Don't tell him you are plannig this though as no doubt he will not save any himself, and probably want to borrow from it.

[Ethel]

Oneeyedvic is far more generous than me. :)

[Lil H]

Hi Kikimon,

I would charge an amount proportional to his pay, the example of 1/3 is good as that is what he would have to pay for a mortgage in the real world (and it's still cheap as his bills and presumably food will be included). It's then up to you if you want to stash some away secretly (secretly's good as I wouldn't have bothered saving if I knew I had some cash coming to me anyway) for when he wants to move out.

[ianess]

Twice as much as he can afford!!
You've kept him for 18 years and who in their right mind wants to keep a teenager in the house for any longer than absolutely necessary? He's independent and knows where the door is so give him a taste of freedom.
He'll soon be back making you a sensible offer.

[morg_monster]

how much do you actually do for him? obviously there should be a base rate for rent, but you could add portions on depending on what he wants you to do - eg if you do all his washing and ironing, add �10 a week, if he agrees to cook a couple of meals a week, take off �5 or �10, if he agrees to clean the bathrooms once a week �5 etcetera. If he has any other annoying habits like leaving his stuff all over YOUR nice house then you could always charge him for that as well... There comes a point when you want to reclaim your house for yourself and if you are at that point now make sure he respects that.

When my little brother moved back home for 18 months after uni, my mum was very strict with him and said he had to keep the house exactly as she wanted it (ie no crap left everywhere and his room kept clean). He paid 15% too and mum and dad enjoyed getting to know this nice young man who came back from university (and wondering where the horrible teenager had gone). I think they miss him now he's gone (but now I'm there to keep them company!)

Unfortunately I am living at home again after a problem with my housemate, I pay 15% of my gross pay, mum does my washing and I do all of the ironing, and I cook at least a meal a week. They know I am desperate to move out again as I have a big commute to work so they aren't too worried that I'll be there forever!

i don't know if they are saving any money for me...! It can be a good plan I think, then if he decides he wants to move out and says 'now i just need to save up for a deposit' then you can say 'here's �500, now you can start looking straightaway!'

[kinkybitch]

None!!!!

This is your kid, you cant charge him to live in his home, no matter his age.

My mom would never even think of 'charging' my brother (who is nearly 19) to live in our house

[shazbang]

i paid �20 a week before i moved out 2 years ago. i also gave my dad petrol money for giving me lifts. i sometimes wish they had've prepared me better for the real world. i think morg_monster's family way is the best and i think its a great idea to put some of it away for a deposit. i had to get a lend of money for my deposit and sometimes struggle to manage my money better.

[DirtyHabit]

The rule in my house is 30% of a basic weeks money. My lads are 26 and 31, so they don't seem to be in any hurry to move out, and they are earning adult wages.
On top of that when we need a new washing machine or any other expensive appliances, we pay a third each. They only complained once when we needed a new microwave oven.
I said fine we will go without, but they did not last more than a week.