ANSWERS: 30
  • No, but he pays the cable and internet bill and helps out with groceries and housework.
  • I'm answering this for my mom.....No, I'm a single mother and a full time college student so no, she doesn't charge me rent. Now, if I wasn't in school, yeah there would be rent to pay her. My family only supports full time students.
  • Absolutely; I don't believe that a working adult shouldn't leech off anyone (the least of which would be his own parents).
  • Of course not...I would appreciate help around the house/yard, but if my kids were living with me it would mean that they had fallen on hard times. If they were working I would expect them to help out some, like with groceries, utilities, etc. But it would be no big deal.
  • No i dont charge him anything but he pays the telephone bill and buys his own food,and cleans up for me.
  • no , because the key is to get them out of the house and how can they save money for their own place when your taking it all for rent. they need to be taught responsibility but with the slave wages most young people get paid today in america it would be impossible for them to save money and pay their parents rent.
  • when I turned 18 my mother charged me rent!
  • My children volunteer rent. I don't accept it if they going through hard times. Right now, my youngest daughter and her family are with me with two six month old boys, two dogs, and a cat. They pay me $500 a month because they receive a housing allowance from my son-in-law's employer. They seem to feel better about paying rent, although I don't ask for it. They pay for cleaning people, mow the lawn, take out the garbage, etc. They are with me six months a year on temporary work assignment. It is difficult for them to rent a place with their animals. My fifteen year old grandson is with me for the summer. I live in a resort area and he can get a summer job here (Point Pleasant, New Jersey, USA). He cleans my car and helps around the house. What's the best is that I don't ask for any of this--they feel it's just what they should do. I am fortunate and grateful for the help. I enjoy every minute of it, including the animals. I especially enjoy the children. Do you think I should pay them?
  • If you don't need the money, and you are very stable and well settled, then no. But if you ARE tight on money, or if they are a problem then yes- lets say they throw wild parties, or they never clean after themselves or are willing to help do anything for you... then you should.
  • If they are adults why would'nt you?
  • NO, I would never even think about it.
  • When they were young adults I did, but there have been occasions since, when problems have sent them back home, that I haven't. They've always made a contribution though, because one is a builder and the other is a chef.
  • I live in an apartment behind my parent's house and I pay rent.
  • After I turned 18 my mom charged me rent until I moved out.
  • Sure you can. You can also use this as a way to help them save for a house of their own, just don't tell them.
  • My children are not adults yet but I can't imagine the day that I would charge any of my children to live in my home.
  • With the exception of hard working full time students, of course parents should charge rent. If they were out on their own, they'd be paying it wouldn't they? There is a slight difference between someone working very hard for the sole purpose of saving when they get out on their own (they have a goal) but if the offspring is just simply working and living at home with no immediate or set plans to move out, my God of course charge them! They're adults for God's sake - if they're capable of working they're capable of paying rent and having that responsibility. Money doesn't come without responsibilities and bills.
  • Yes. It is a simple way of making sure they understand what is expected of them in "Real Life". I don't charge them much, but they are made aware that running, maintaining and paying for my home is costly and if they live here they will contribute. Plus, I cook, clean and other Mom stuff. I also work full time. They offered to compensate me for the Mom-stuff in addition to rent. I am proud of the fact that they have not offered to take advantage of their status my children. They are responsible adults who can, and do, carry their own weight.
  • I think that parents should be able to expect something from their adult children. Especially if they have a job. If they are going through a tough time and don't have a job, obviously this is different, but parents should not need to be raising an adult.
  • I did.
  • Thanks for all of your answers and comments. Here's where I stand at this point (and why I asked the question in the first place). My son, soon to be 21, flunked out of college twice after having been given sufficient support emotionally and financially. He lied about his lack of success in school and I didn't find out -- either semester-- until he was home for a few weeks. He found a job and I charged him $100 a week for my "Mom services" -- cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. -- as well as for cell phone, college loans, food, and his car insurance. Since I asked the question, HE QUIT HIS JOB, but it was at a time that I needed him because, as life so often jabs us in the eye, my husband needed emergency surgery. He was able to be at home to care for him and run errands while I went to work. All is well now, so I told him he HAS TO FIND A JOB to pay his way. No? Yes?
  • It depends on the circumstances. Most recently, one of our sons has lived at home and we have asked him to help with some of the household expenses. But he has also been at a place in his life where he has had to use money to help his kids and we have been a part of that as well. I think it is best for adult children to contribute as soon as they can - for their own good.
  • There were seven children in my family and as soon as we started working at sixteen my mother made us pay rent, just a small amount based on our weekly take home. Once we graduated if you did not become a full time college student you found a full time job and payed her, I think $200 a month. The catch was that at some point she gave you all the money back for your wedding , house,car whatever the need but at no point were you allowed to share that info with the younger siblings. If and when you moved back in with a family or as a mature adult you were expected to help out, that money is/was not returned. In young adults it teaches responsibility, there is never a free ride in life.
  • My son is 18 and will graduate in May. Our agreement is that he go to college and get a part time job for his own expenses, cell phone, gas, school books and whatever else he may need and he would be rent free at home.If he isn't in school than he has to find a job and pay to live at home or move out but the choice would be his. If you feel like your son is just being "lazy" than yes make him pay. If you aren't comfortable taking his money because he is your son than you could always take it from him and put it in a savings for him but don't tell him that. Give the money back to him when either you or him are ready for him to move out.That is if you don't need the money yourself. Or you could put half of it in a savings and use the other half for what you need etc.. hope this helps I know it is hard when it comes to your own child but only you know your son and what is best so decide what is best for him and not you. Maybe a little rent money wouldn't hurt him in the long run you know he would have to pay to live anywhere else so why not pay you ?
  • What if your child is a 19-year-old dedicated student in full-time college, getting straight A's, working 26 hours a week, and the parent doesn't contribute a penny to their education-not even a PLUS loan, or any other services besides the general "room and board" along with a cell phone with shared minutes? (Also, the adult child does chores every week-cleans the bathrooms and the wood floor-and does the dishes three times a week as well as cooking dinner for the family once a week.) Do you still think you should charge your child rent to live at home?
  • I paid rent to my parents when I started college, $400 a month. I felt good about giving it to them, because they actually needed it to survive. I know some of my friends back then paid rent and their parents used it to go on vacation. When my son is old enough, I will probably charge him some rent but put it into a savings account and give it to him when he's ready to buy a house.
  • I did not IF they were in school or IF it was for a limited amount of time while they found a job and got a pay check. After that, they knew that they would be paying. They always have managed to get on their feet and get their own place before having to pay us rent.
  • Disgusting to charge any of your flesh and blood rent. Making money from your own children makes me ill. If I were broke and down to my last dime I would not charge my adult daughter rent, and that include if I owned an extra house or apartment she lived in - I'd give it to her as a gift, even if I were down to my last time.
  • They are in college so I dont charge. I pay their medical, dental, auto and tuition. Not their books, phone or anything else. I do however treat them to dinners now and again.

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