Why would parents charge their offspring rent?

Mine never have (I'm 22) and never will. Obvs I'm not planning on living here forever but whilst I am working and trying to save and living under my parents roof, they would never charge me.

I'm not judging for those that do, I'm just curious as to why any parent would charge their child rent when they suddenly turn 18? They went 18 years without charging rent, and feeding them so I'm not sure why some parents suddenly start to? I find it bizarre and unloving.

For example, my friends Mum charges her rent, and even charges her petrol money!!I couldn't believe it. I know I'm actually very privileged in terms of not having to pay for anything ( instead I do nice gestures like help round the house and buy my parents presents like flowers and beer/ wine).

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Ask your friend then

They want you to be a functioning member of society and move out.

Reply 3

Honey57

OP you’re absolutely right. What you’re saying is also the same for those who are Asian, we don’t move out until we either have enough money to move out to support ourselves OR until we get married.

Reply 4

ReadingMum

It is more usually that parents charge rent, if they are going to at all, once the offspring starts earning.

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

Original post by Honey57

Agreed I think charging rent is very British in culture… my parents are Italian and my friends whose parents that also do not charge rent are also not British in culture.

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

Original post by ReadingMum

It is more usually that parents charge rent, if they are going to at all, once the offspring starts earning.

Possibly but I still think it defeats the objective of encouraging their child to save to move out. But everyone is different

Reply 7

aliaa03

Original post by Anonymous

not sure. i never would, and my parents never have. i think it’s a weird concept to have your own child that you raised suddenly have to give you money for being 18 and living with you ?? i have seen one mum that charged her son rent since he started getting pocket money, and when he turned 18 she gave it all back which was a nice surprise, but 95% of parents won’t do that so i don’t agree with charging your child rent to live with their own parents !!!!!!

Reply 8

marple

Original post by Anonymous

Many parents will have struggled to support their children and once that child is an adult, it is not unreasonable to expect them to contribute: the parent will still have rent/mortgage/utilities to pay.

For others, it is more a matter of recognising that the child is now an adult and that the relationship is moving to one of equality rather than parent/child. I would think less of my children if they worked full time and did not at least offer to pay rent. I know several people who do charge their adult children, but put it into a savings account that they later use to help them with a house deposit. It's about encouraging them to be adults, not dependants.

Reply 9

StriderHort

It's generally to teach them how to pay their way in life as it's a skill like any other that has to be learned, such as 'Savings are what you have AFTER paying your keep, not before'. Feeling entitled to accrue savings at others peoples expense is a prime example of not having leaned these lessons.

Reply 10

gjd800

I dunno why you'd be working and not want to put money into the household

Reply 11

Obolinda

Volunteer Team

this is just a specific example but sometimes the benefits a parent receives for child support stops once the child is 18

Reply 12

EOData

If you get a job and live at home rent free you may well get used to all the money you have and never be capable of sorting your act out to move out and pay rent.

My youngest - 23 - already earns more than I do. If he were living at home why shouldn't he contribute to the running costs of the house?

Reply 13

black tea

Because at 18, they become adults and it's time for them to start learning to be adults. And as pointed out above, there may be a financial aspect too due to child benefits no longer being paid. Don't see anything wrong with being charged for petrol money tbh - if you expect o be taxied around at that age, it should not be free.

As for you thinking that helping out around the house is "a nice gesture" - well, I don't know what to even say to that. Even kids are expected to help out with chores and there's a big ass adult of 22 living at home for free and seeing it as them doing their parents a favour...

Reply 14

EOData

"Helping round the house" is not a nice gesture but what common decency indicates you should do. Your parents are not your slaves when you are old enough to do your bit.

Reply 15

Anonymous #1

Original post by EOData

Yeah I suppose so, I don’t think my parents would expect that of me but everyone is different! Tbh my parents mortgage is paid off so that’s probably a big reason as to why I don’t pay any rent :smile:

Reply 16

EOData

Original post by Anonymous

My mortgage is also paid off but the council tax, water rates and utility bills still come to £700 a month.

Reply 17

ReadingMum

My Dad continued paying maintenance for me while I was at uni - when I went home in the holidays it went to my Mum. My brother didn't go to uni and didn't leave home till he was 27 - by then he had bought and sold 2 flats at profit.

Reply 18

Muttley79

Original post by Anonymous

Agreed I think charging rent is very British in culture… my parents are Italian and my friends whose parents that also do not charge rent are also not British in culture.