How much rent should a teenager pay?

[Churchill]

It's 50% of take home - whether that's dole or from a job. This is fine when he's on a lower income. When he starts earning more, it becomes considerbly more attractive for him to move out. Charging rent is merely contributing to the expenses of the household, getting him used to paying his way.

I'll bank it, and use it to help him move out - flat deposit, furniture, whatever.

Splendid idea.

[Clippy]

Great idea, but you've clearly not met my ex

Out of interest, if he lives with your ex, how are you involved?

Has your ex asked for an unreasonable amount and the kid has come to your for advice?

FWIW, agree with GillsMan but, as you say, that may not be possible.

[Sysman]

It's 50% of take home - whether that's dole or from a job. This is fine when he's on a lower income. When he starts earning more, it becomes considerbly more attractive for him to move out. Charging rent is merely contributing to the expenses of the household, getting him used to paying his way.

I'll bank it, and use it to help him move out - flat deposit, furniture, whatever.

Excellent idea.

[Platypus]

Out of interest, if he lives with your ex, how are you involved?

I'm involved because my legal obligation to pay child support to my ex has just finished. I don't want the ex- making up the shortfall by clobbering him for too much money. So I'm hoping that I can gently suggest that X amount is reasonable but that 2X or 3X is not.

[Churchill]

I'm involved because my legal obligation to pay child support to my ex has just finished. I don't want the ex- making up the shortfall by clobbering him for too much money. So I'm hoping that I can gently suggest that X amount is reasonable but that 2X or 3X is not.

He could always move in with you or you could continue with your financial obligations instead of running for the hills and bitching from afar.

[Paddy]

I find this whole practice of parents taking rent money from their kids abhorrent.

FFS, I don’t want to agree with you but I do. Do you want your son to charge you rent when you are old and frail? If you have kids, they are for life. At least give them a start. In many countries, they will buy their kids a property so they are not tied in debt. Don’t charge him but ask him to put away some savings each week.

[Paddy]

In my defense I lived in USSR and in was in the first phase of communism when money are no longer necessary to obtains good. The problem was lack of products...

lack of contacts with the black market...

[rd409]

Don’t charge him but ask him to put away some savings each week.

Do kids even listen when you ask them something? A compulsion is what makes them think. I am sure most of the parents here, who take money as rent, do not spend that money but invest for their kids, so they get a lump sum for their university fees, or property deposit or something else.

HTH.

[shaunbhoy]

Do kids even listen when you ask them something? A compulsion is what makes them think. I am sure most of the parents here, who take money as rent, do not spend that money but invest for their kids, so they get a lump sum for their university fees, or property deposit or something else.

HTH.

You will find that those who argue most fiercely that one should not charge the kids anything once they reach majority, are those who don't actually HAVE any kids. Empty vessels and all that.

[rd409]

You will find that those who argue most fiercely that one should not charge the kids anything once they reach majority, are those who can't actually HAVE any kids. Empty vessels and all that.

FTFY.