What is a reasonable amount of rent for an 18-year-old who is working full-time to pay her parents?

Question

The girl (daughter of a friend) has a full-time, steady job in a shop and her parents obviously expect her to contribute financially, but how much is fair? I imagine it would cost her about £300 a month if she lived in a shared rented house, and if she rented her own flat it would be £400 and upwards. So how much should she pay as she's living at home?

Answer 1

She should pay 1/4 of her take home pay. That is the rule they say of what you should pay for rent or a mortgage. (No more than 1/4 of what you take home.) I used to have to give my parents 1/2. So, I think paying 1/4 is getting off cheap. Of course, she's also probably eating at home, and sharing in the use of the utilities. Does she own a car and make payments on that and the insurance? Or is she on her parents' plan? So maybe half of what she makes isn't asking too much.

By the way, I think making her pay is getting her ready for the real world. Some might say, "If you love them, let them stay for free." Hello. If you would love to turn your child into a freeloader the rest of his or her life, then let them stay for free. When my parents made me pay, I thought it was too much. But it sure taught me how to budget and learn to discipline my spending. I never had money problems as an adult.

Answer 2

Blimey. This is why a lot of families in other countries think the British hate their children.

Still, I see what you are getting at. Tell your friend to find out what the going rate is for a room in a shared house, and charge that (which you say may be about £300 per month). If the daughter doesn't agree she can move out and pay that somewhere else - she won't get a better deal (free food and heating, babysitting if she needs it, etc) in a *real* house share situation.

Answer 3

$100 a week is good. If she moved out her expenses (rent, auto insurance, food, clothing, etc...) would be higher. I do loans every day and when I ask people who tell me they live with their parents how much they pay in rent, I will usually get the comment "I live with my parents so I pay nothing". Any self respecting person will pay their parents something even if it's not in writing. It's really sad when they tell me they make anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 a year and have no bills, no child support, no alimony to pay but yet they pay their parents nothing. And I don't mean 18 year olds. I'm talking about men and women 25 to 40 years old, not paying a dime to live with mom and dad. But then you have to blame mom and dad for allowing the kids to freeload off them.

Answer 4

it all depends on how much she earns and how much electric etc she uses i lived with my parents i paid £85 a month and i worked full- time but the difference is i only earned £326 a month so i say depends on how much she earns. as u couldn't charge someone who earns £800 a month £300 amonth then expect someone else who works full time lik i did to pay the same and live on £26 a month. thats just selfish.

I have a flat and it costs £450 just for rent. i spend around £674.06 just on bills so living with ur parents would be chaep trust me i know.

Answer 5

But she is'nt living in a flat. She is living with the people who brought her into this world and they will not value her by the amount of money she tips up each month. As she has never left home ? i assume her parents will only take off her what she can afford assuming she may be saving for her own place or to be married. Bet they are happy that they know she is safe & happy.
somehow i get the feeling that this poser is for you !!!! and not a friend. Pound signs ringing are they ???????

Answer 6

My parents did what Taxedman suggested, I paid £50 per month which they put into a savings account and gave it to me when I left home. Think about it, this is the only time in this girl's life where she has her own money that she can spend on whatever she wants, it's not going to happen once she moves out of home. Give her a break!

Answer 7

Well nothing because your parents arent very loving. My door is always open to my children, free of charge. As long as they follow the rules of the house (coming in at a decent hour, helping out around the house, cleaning) they can stay there as long as they want, free of charge no matter what age they are. They are my children and not some orphans. Tell your parents they need psychiatric help because thats the damn near stupidest thing I have ever heard.

Answer 8

They should take a NOMINAL sum, 18 is very young and she's only working in a shop after all.

If the parents love her and don't particularly need the money they should only take maybe 40 pounds a week. She needs to be able to save, also to pay for clothes and FUN, an item which is so often forgotten.

that's my opinion- YOU asked for it.

Answer 9

It depends on what the rent covers. Will it be cooked meals, washing, ironing, cleaning, etc?

I think £250 is adequate with all the above covered to be honest. If the parents really need the money, then maybe more, but if they're doing it just to teach a 'life lesson' then they should be lenient. How is this girl ever going to afford to move out if she's giving all her money to her parents every month?

Answer 10

If she is going to college and helping out at home by working on the house and paying for college and books and not wasting money and commenting I would really think this over. You do not want her to take out loans so she can give the family money. My boyfriend paid his family $500/month to live in their basement. It was ridiculous. They were really taking advantage of him and they still take loans from him. Think about what she is contributing to the family and if they need her. Is she helping with siblings? Is she helping with older relatives and meals? She is giving up freedoms that she would not if she lived out side the home. If she is caring for people in the house do not charge her at all. If she is in school and helping keep it really cheap. It must be cheaper than her living with others because living with others is a better thing. It all depends on many factors as to what her home responsibilities are for cooking, cleaning and care of other relatives are younger and older. It depends if she is just working or working and in school. It depends on how much she is making at work. It depends on what the goals are. Are they helping her save, making money off her or planning on keeping her as a way to pay their expenses? Is this for them or is this to help her get on her feet? It depends on so many other factors. Many American Students work full time and Go to college. College is very expensive and they take much longer to get through. They are called non traditonal students. I do not know if she is doing that. You are writing in pounds on the american side, so I do not know what to say. Do you not use euros now?