Should adult children who still live with their parents pay room and board?

[musclemom]

Enough people on this board are in the under 20 age range that they have experience with it or know someone who has: Let's say the kid in question is 20, goes to college part time and is steadily employed part time with variable hours, say minimum of 20 hrs. but never more than 35, at $9.20/hr. Kid is still living at home and has a room, food, use of all utilities, but pays for all personal stuff (i.e., clothes, all car related expenses including insurance, all college expenses, etc.).

What, if any, is a reasonable monthly charge?

Follow up question, does the parent have any responsibility, assuming they are financially able, to be putting a portion of the "rent" aside with the intent of giving it back to the kid when they finally do move out?

 

[Strongbow]

You should support them finacially if they are still in school. If the time comes that they are not in school, and still at home and employed, then asking for rent money is in noway wrong.

 

[SpyWizard]

depends on the reasons' the child is needing to be stay with the parent.

at what age is the child responsible for them self?? 25??? since that's when the health insurance ends for being eligible on their parents plan??

I'd suggest in this situation, the child would pay $0 money per month, they are working toward a degree, i'd suggest that full time college however, otherwise they need to rent a room near the college, or else where..

Is the child staying becoming a problem?? when he's finished his college, and (assuming he's taking loans and grants to do so) is not able to find a different job, i'd say it was a different story..

 

[musclemom]

I'd like to hear a few more responses and I'll tell you what provoked this question.

 

[AFeedz]

I didn't live with my parents while I was in school, but I was allowed to. My parents always said I could live with them free of charge while I was in school, but when I graduated, I'd need to pay.

I'd just tell him the same. He can live there now, but once he graduates, life changes.

 

[Arcon167]

Stats indicate that over 80% of undergrads, after graduation are going back home, cause they can't get hired.
Rent is definitely fair.

 

[DannoMight]

at least make them pay 1-2 bills. like cable and their cell phone or car insurance. I did. or make them put a lil food on the tabe from time to time. I mean you gotta bring something to the table.

 

[RottenWillow]

Enough people on this board are in the under 20 age range that they have experience with it or know someone who has: Let's say the kid in question is 20, goes to college part time and is steadily employed part time with variable hours, say minimum of 20 hrs. but never more than 35, at $9.20/hr. Kid is still living at home and has a room, food, use of all utilities, but pays for all personal stuff (i.e., clothes, all car related expenses including insurance, all college expenses, etc.).

What, if any, is a reasonable monthly charge?

Follow up question, does the parent have any responsibility, assuming they are financially able, to be putting a portion of the "rent" aside with the intent of giving it back to the kid when they finally do move out?

Make the R&B charge income dependent, MM.

You would start with a fair assessment of what a board and care facility would charge in your area. That might be $900 lets say. Then you figure how much income someone would have to show monthly for the landlord to accept them. Maybe a bring home of $1200 monthly. In your case it sounds like the adult child is bringing home something like $800 a month. That'd be about a 35% reduction in the full rate, or roughly $590 a month.

 

[SpyWizard]

at the same time, if it's "rent" fair market, then they have the same right to use also, come and go, not informing of actions, sleepover random people etc..

so, if it were me.. and it was for 2 girls, as long as they were in college full time, and i wasn't paying they could stay, no fee, and i didn't charge anything, but they didn't have people come over..

On the hand where they have graduated, and living life, then rent, but i'd hold all of it and give it to them at time of move out, and the same rules apply..

If that's not ok, then there are strangers they can go live with..

 

[billfred]

If not a full time student, yes they need to pay room and board.

How much, enough to encourage them to get out on their own. Probably $600/month or more.