When and how much should you charge a teen who has graduated rent?

Question

I have a 17 year old, he graduated high school early, does not want to go to college right now. He works full time but is still supported by me, a single mom. I'm not hurting for money but when does he start living in the real world and if I charge rent what is a reasonable price?

Answer 1

To all those who are "OH MY GOD, HE'S ONLY SEVENTEEN!" Give it a break will you. Granted by law he's not an adult, but he's out of school and working full time. His mother must provide for him till 18, but if he's making enough money he could probably do it himself. I highly doubt his mother will stop taking care of him before he turns 18. Would it kill him to pay $50 a week, or $100 a month? That's not a lot of money, you can't find rent that cheap. Obviously, whatever his mother gets would end up being spent on him anyway, so what's the deal? She could even take that money and set it aside or put it in his savings account. Considering she's not pressed for money, I think that would be the best thing to do. Because at that age, he's probably not interested in saving money for his future. Trust me, he'll be THANKFUL his mom put it up for him, because he might just need it one day.

Answer 2

If they are working full time, have no desire to go to college, and have graduated high school then the time to charge rent is now.  I'd say reasonable charges would be maybe $50/week or just hand the electric bill to him this month and tell him it's his turn.  I think charging him a little something will help prepare him for when he does move out. Best of luck!

Answer 3

Well I agree with you.You dont want to go to college its time to be a grown up and be responsible for things. I would tell him look you can pay a part of the rent or whatever and he can help out with groceries. I think there are to many kids who keep being babied in this world then when they go out on their own they are like whats a bill whats this? You want him to be a man then I would do something like that.My parents told all of us look if you are in college you dont have to pay to stay here we will support you.But you do have to have a job to pay your cell and your gas.But if you dont want to go to school you will pay rent and help out around here because you are an adult now  

Answer 4

He's 17.  Who cares if he graduated early?  You're legally required to provide for him until he's 18.

If you charge rent- you should put it in a savings account for him to use later.  I think it's selfish of you to charge your son rent.  If you're not hurting for money, then what's the point?  He'll want to move out eventually.

What's up with parents trying to get their kids out of the house at such a young age?  You think just because they're close to the legal age of adulthood that they're supposed to all of a sudden grow up and be adults and know what the world is all about overnight.

Edit:  If you haven't taught your child responsibilty by now- charging him rent at the age of 17 isn't going to all of a sudden make him responsible or give him any understanding of how the "real world" works.

Answer 5

I would charge rent or require that he make deposits into a shared account that you can monitor.   Save this money, or at least some of it.   He will start adjusting to having a large chunk coming out of his paycheck for living expenses, as it does in the real world, so he does not develop unrealistic spending habits.   When he is ready to move out, he will have this money for deposits on a lease and utilities for a new home, a downpayment on a home, or if he decides to go back to college, it will help to pay his tuition.     Let him watch this balance grow, and talk about what it can be used for, so that he can become excited as he realizes that he will have more money in the bank than he has ever had in his life.    But, make sure he understands that since this is "rent" he is not allowed to spend any of it until he moves out.   Make sure he is using debit cards, and not credit cards for his spending.

Answer 6

Wow.

You actually want to charge your child rent? He's 17. I'd at least wait until he is ADULT AGE. Who cares if he has graduated.

Does he bother you? Is he sneaking out? Does he not help arund the house? Is he getting girls pregnant? Is he doing drugs?

If No to the bad questions you should be considered lucky he isnt a bad kid, and is staying out of trouble...

I could never imagine my daddy doing that to me. He says for me to stay and not worry as long as Id like.

Id say wait until he is 18. And 50 a month is reasonable since he's you kid.Thats the only LEGAL age to kick a child out because they are adults now.

But I still way WOW...



Good luck though.

Answer 7

I see nothing wrong with charging adult children living in the home some kind of "rent".  Now, I would wait until he was 18 before doing so, but I think something around $50/month is reasonable, depending on his income.  

Answer 8

I totally get what you are trying to do.  You want to teach him some responsibility, and not let him get used to just sitting around the house.  Good for you.  Our family rule is once they are no longer in school, they are out of the house.  Of course, in your situation that isn't going to work as he is still 17.  I would suggest you start out by making him pay for his own clothes and all the expenses relating to his car (if he has one), and make him help out a little with groceries or something.  Make a firm rule though that at 18 he will start paying rent (and make him pay a good amount so it doesn't give him the ability to lay around) or he has to go to college.  Don't charge him anything if he is going to school...he'll then have an incentive to get an education and have a better future for himself.

Answer 9

My mom & aunt did this....Charged their kids $100 a month but didn't use the money. Put it in a savings for your child & when he is ready to move out, he will have money saved up. It really worked for my brother & cousin, they didn't have to try to save money for first/security or furniture. It was already saved up thanks to mom!

Answer 10

I was charged 20 bucks a week and pay for all my food the MOnday after I graduated! that was like 16 years ago.

Answer 11

There are a couple stupid comments on here but don't pay attention to them. I agree with what you want to do. My sister is 25 yrs old and lived with my parents her entire life up until she got married (just recently married last month). She cannot balance her checking acct and was never taught to be responsible since she never had to contribute in any way to their home.

I also have another relative (now 19 yrs old) that never had to work a day in his life and now that he is married because he got his girlfriend pregnant at a very young age, he still lives with his parents. They pay for his car, food, and anything the baby needs because he spends all his money on items he doesn't need.

Point is, teaching your kids responsibility is a great thing! They will never grow up unless you show them that they have to work for what they want and for a great life. Life will not always be as great as it was living with mom and dad but you sure as heck can work hard enough to make it that way or better! You are being a great parent, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. I would say $100-$150 is a great start. If you don't need the money, save it for the day he does decide to move out and surprise him with it.

Good Luck!!