MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Terry and June charge their son rent?

culpepper

He should pay rent or look for other flats.
It isnt up to his parents to support him in his working life.

AliSingle

I think they should, yes.

In my case, my parents have charged me rent ever since I choose not to go to uni, but to work full-time. 5 years on, and I'm still at home, still paying rent.
My sister is 2 years older. She went to uni, and lived away from home until Feb 2009. When she came home, my parents sat her down and discussed with her about finances and she now pays rent too, although less than me, because she is out all week, but home at the weekends.
That said, we only pay £150 and £125 a month each, so it's hardly a huge whack on the wallet, and it contributes to the household income and bills, afterall, we all use the water, electric, gas and food.
Back to the dilemma, I suspect, as parents they wouldn't charge their son full whack for the rent, but the son shouldn't expect to get something for nothing - his siblings were studying - he is working and earning and income - why the hell shouldn't he contribute towards bills / rent? Can't rely on the parents all your life.

airheadgreg

Personally I think they should have charged their other sons too. So what if they're students, I'm a student and I have to rent a place each year regardless of location and right now I'm studying in Toronto!
But that isn't the dilemma. Yeah, charge him rent! If he's chosen to move to London of all places for his first job just out of college, it must be a well paid job, otherwise it wouldn't be worth it. So Cough up or shut up...

hilstep2000

I never charged my children when they were students, but as soon as they got a full time job, they paid rent. Only fair way. You wouldn't expect to get away with no rent if it wasn't your parents!

cremegg

absolutely not.

This son has chosen a different path that the other two. he might not be as 'academic' as the others....should he 'miss out' and be treated differently because he made a different life choice?

He might be earning and yes, he needs to learn the value of money - but on that same principle, his brothers needed to learn about money too...lots of students have to pay for accommodation, but they all qualify for loans and can get part time jobs if they want to... and don't get the 'perk' of rent free accommodation...this lad is working but he's not going to be earning mega money to start off with, so is there really that much different? he also needs to know that his parents value him as much as his brothers. Should they 'have' more because they've stayed in education...?

Children should all be treated the same. The others got to stay there rent free for a period - he should too. After that period has ended, then he should pay. But he should be afforded the same 'perk' as his siblings and not be discriminated against for not following his brothers into education.

oldjagman

Whatever happened to the old and established practice of "paying for your keep"?

Marx had a point when he suggested "from each according to his means, to each according to his needs".

I also have a problem with treating all offspring equally as their needs (not their desires) will differ according to their current condition. Students may need fiscal support whilst those with jobs may not. Hopefully Preston has done well and is earning good money in London (Goldman, Sachs employee?)!

Countertenor

As he is working, it would be unreasonable not to pay something towards the income the parents would otherwise lose. It's hardly as if the property is increasing in value either. I would suggest giving a discount on the market rent of, say 10-15%, which is good for him, and fair for them.

djhworld

Ask to pay "board", i.e. just enough to cover food, household goods and bills.

£200 a month won't hurt.

djhworld

culpepper wrote: »

He should pay rent or look for other flats.
It isnt up to his parents to support him in his working life.

Have you tried living in London?

I agree that his parents should not support him for years on end - but the cost of living in London is incredible so it would be beneficial to him to get some grounding before taking the leap into getting his own flat.

eas_2

Charge your son the going rate plus his proportion of all untility bills. The quicker young adults learn about living in the real world the quicker they will appreciate everything you have done for them in the past - and anything gratis you choose to do for them in the future.

Let them stand on their own two feet and feel proud of what a good job you have done in bringing them up to do so so well.