The debate: Should kids over 18 pay rent if they’re still living at home?
Parents have shared their thoughts on letting their children live at home rent free, as the age old debate of paying board stirred up some strong opinions.
A nine.com.au reader survey asked the question: Should children over the age of 18 pay board if they still live at home?
The responses were many and varied, as a whopping 72 percent of respondents said grown up kids should be contributing financially to the household.
One person commented, "If children have employment, it's important that they clearly understand that life is not free and they need to budget, show accountability and responsibility."
Another wrote, "If the children over 18 are working, then yes, they should contribute or give money to the parents to bank for them."
Others said children shouldn't be expected to pay board, and would rather their kids save money for bigger financial commitments.
"My parents did not charge me board even though I was working because they did not need the money and told me to save for my first car, which I did," one person shared.
Another wrote their parenting tactic, writing, "I let my children not pay board. So they could save for a deposit on a house. They did and they all (3) have a house."
Despite many people sharing their strong opinions on the matter, most respondents said it was not a black and white question, as many households have individual circumstances that affect their decision.
"Depends on if they are working or not and what income the parents have. My son is 22 but unemployed due to health problem, we just pool our unemployment payment so it differs for each family situation, not a YES or No answer," one reader wrote.
Another said it depends on their employment and study status, writing, "Yes if they're working almost full time, not if they're studying and just working part time to cover living expenses."
The poll comes as Aussies have struggled with a rise in basic living costs, with ABS data showing that Australian households spent a total of $1.2 trillion on what was classed as general living costs in 2022.
This sum is close to $100 billion more than in 2021.
The average household spent $130,353 in 2022, which is the equivalent of $2507 per week. This is a 20.4 per cent jump on the previous year.
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