Is it lawful for parents to charge rent before I am 18? (2024)

FAQs

Is it lawful for parents to charge rent before I am 18? ›

Provided that the child has the means or ability to contribute to the costs of his own care and support, including costs for shelter, and provided that such contribution is reasonable, it would probably be acceptable to assess a child costs relating to rent.

Even if they fight with you, even if they demand money, they have no right to payment from you until you are 18.

The most obvious pro for having your child pay rent, even as early as age 16, is their financial independence. Children in their teens may find themselves tempted to blow newly found part-time income in any number of ways.

According to SmartCapitalMind, financial experts agree that parents should charge rent to adult children living at home or in another property the parents own. Financial advisors have seen cases in which young adults don't learn to take the obligation of paying rent seriously and end up deeply in debt.

This means you have the same legal rights as any other adult, including the right to make your own decisions about your life. Your parents cannot legally force you to stay in the house, prevent you from working, or control your personal interactions.

I'm so sorry about this situation! So legally speaking, no. Even for minors, the law on personal property applies the same as it does to adults. This means that if you paid for your own phone and you are paying for it from your job, your parents have no right to take it from you at all.

Provided that the child has the means or ability to contribute to the costs of his own care and support, including costs for shelter, and provided that such contribution is reasonable, it would probably be acceptable to assess a child costs relating to rent.

Your child's income: If your child has a steady income from a part-time job or other source, they may be better equipped to handle paying rent. However, if they're still in school or otherwise financially dependent on you, charging them rent may not be appropriate or even feasible.

many general guidelines on budgeting say rent should be about 30% of income. So that would be my starting point. That sounds too high to me, I charge both my DC £250 per month (they earn around £1850 each) on the understanding that they save a lot of their salary, which they do. Gosh, that's very generous of you!

Share the plan you created, clearly communicating expectations “on everything from rent to household chores to who's paying for the meals,” Stoddard says. Aim to be as specific as possible. It's best to have this discussion with your child before they move home, so they know what to expect.

Should I charge my college graduate rent? ›

Some parents will charge their children rent and then put it into a savings account for their child to have when they move out. In this case, my answer will always be yes and this is fair because it teaches them responsibility, budgeting, saving, and also helps them in the long run.

Out of the 960 respondents of a survey that ran in The Globe and Mail's Carrick on Money newsletter on June 15, just over half of parents said their children pay rent, while 11 per cent said they contribute in other ways. Fifty-two per cent charge $500 or less a month and 27 per cent charge $501 to $1000.

Specifically, your rights as a parent diminish when your child turns 18, including the right to know anything about their finances, medical condition, or even school records. That means, for example, that if your child were injured, you wouldn't have the right to make medical decisions on their behalf.

When a teen reaches the age of majority, they have the legal right to leave home. Except in the following states, the age of majority in most states is 18 years old: The majority age in Alabama and Nebraska is 19. The age of the majority in Mississippi is 21.

In most states, parental obligations typically end when a child reaches the age of majority, 18 years old. But, check the laws of your state, as the age of majority can be different from one state to the next.

No. Once you are 18 years old, you are considered an adult by law. No parents can legally stop you from leaving. You are responsible for yourself and your actions.

A: In most cases, if you are 18 years old and legally an adult, your parents do not have the right to take money that you have earned, even if they pay for your phone and related expenses.

It depends. If this is considered an arms length transaction with an actual rental agreement, it could be considered income. Otherwise, it might be considered a gift or just contributing to the family household expenses.

Answer: Yes. Once you have turned 18 years old, you are legally an adult and your parents no longer have a legal obligation to care for you.