What's fair rent for working children living at home?

Person_one

Mojisola wrote: »

It's always worth showing young adults what the real world costs - most then realise what a good deal they're getting at home.

I don't think it's a good thing to treat adult children as if they were still children - if there are four of us living in a house, why should two pay all the bills and do all the housework? Adults living together have to share the financial responsibilities as well as the work that keeps the household running. If I wouldn't put up with certain behaviour from a lodger or a flat-mate, I don't see why I should put up with an adult child behaving the same way.

I think waiting till they are a young adult to teach them how to manage finances is leaving it way too late.

Family members aren't flatmates, or lodgers. Its just silly to try and act as if they are, you don't treat each other like flatmates, do you?

Mojisola

Person_one wrote: »

I think waiting till they are a young adult to teach them how to manage finances is leaving it way too late.

I didn't suggest you should but a youngster who is used to managing their own money well won't necessarily know how much the electricity bill is or how much it costs to rent a room. It's just the next stage in an on-going process.

Family members aren't flatmates, or lodgers. Its just silly to try and act as if they are, you don't treat each other like flatmates, do you?

Not sure what you mean - we treat each other with respect, we care about each other much more than most flatmates would, we socialise together occasionally, we share the house and garden work, we cook for each other if we're in at the same time, and so on.

I don't want to treat a 25 year old as if he was 10 - that would be insulting to him.

bossymoo

Hi have you thought of setting her a little project?

Cost up how much it would be if she got her own place? Ask her to do a full budget? Then ask her what she thinks is a reasonable level of board, given the "services" she enjoys at home.

I think if you give her the opportunity to take some responsibility, you ar on the road to her learning. Otherwise, if you make all the decisions, she may never really buy into it.

As teenagers my brother and I were expected to budget. We were given pocket money, and "paid" for chores etc. if we wanted something special, we had to work for it.

Managing a household budget is a skill that would benefit many teenagers, especially in this economic climate. I hope you can all find some harmony soon.

morganedge

If your husband thinks its a lot, I'd compromise and say £30-£35 per week.
It's not as though your daughter is raking in loads of money. £900 isn't a great amount. Let her enjoy it.

£35 per week

DUKE

If she had a place of her own the rent alone would be (in my area) about £70 a week & that's without any bills. I'd expect £50 at the very least, if you're too kind she'll never move out :eek:

Person_one

DUKE wrote: »

she'll never move out :eek:

That's just daft, people don't generally want to live with their parents forever, they want their independence and to grow up no matter how nice their mum and dad are!

Sally_A

Mine pays nowt....although I do keep an eye on her spending, and if I thought she was pi$$ing it up against the wall I would have some "rent" from her. She does often bring home shopping that I ask for, and she pays for it...she also appreciates how cheap she is living for.

However, at the age of 21, she is looking to buy her own place, has saved approx £25k towards a deposit.

She is no more of a drain on me now, than when she was in education, I can see her wages being sensibly saved for her future. In fact she's less of a drain, as can now pay for her own clothes, treats, car etc.

I also know that if I was desperate for cash, she would dip in to her savings to help me out.

jenniemiller177

I think it depends on the individual child. There is a young lad a work who lives with his parents and pays about £150 per month. He is 26 now and his girlfriend is now living with them. Personally I think he's getting an easy life and at this rate, he'll be there way until his 30's! I don't think it hurts to pay more and understand that household things cost money! It soon becomes a shock to the system when you eventually do leave home though!

morganedge

jenniemiller177 wrote: »

It soon becomes a shock to the system when you eventually do leave home though!

Not if the government pay for it all. Housing benefit ftw??

Dunroamin

Mojisola wrote: »

I don't think it's a good thing to treat adult children as if they were still children - if there are four of us living in a house, why should two pay all the bills and do all the housework? Adults living together have to share the financial responsibilities as well as the work that keeps the household running. If I wouldn't put up with certain behaviour from a lodger or a flat-mate, I don't see why I should put up with an adult child behaving the same way.

I can't understand why people object to adult family members contributing fairly to the family home. It's not the parents' responsibility to provide a home for their adult children, or certainly not financially.

Paying your way is part of becoming a responsible adult.