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Original poster

How much rent to charge 18 year old?

413 replies

TakeALookAtTheseSwatches · 13/02/2026 13:54

My daughter left college last year and started looking for a job, she started working just after Christmas. She works part time hours and her take home pay per month is around £900. She's putting £50 in to a lifetime ISA and she has no other bills (I currently still pay her phone contract which is about £30 a month)

We provide all her food, she eats tea with us and we have breakfast things/snacks in the house. She doesn't usually eat dinner but will sometimes buy herself a meal deal if she wants something.

So what would be reasonable? I was thinking around £200 a month and I'm happy to put £50 of that in her lifetime ISA too if she wants. She is saving up for a car so isn't spending frivolously. Is £200 too much?

OP posts:
Favouritefruits · 13/02/2026 14:21

I wouldn’t charge rent but I wouldn’t be paying her phone bill or any other ‘luxury’ if she’s wanting a car and driving lessons they are expensive enough without paying ‘rent’

MifsBr0wn · 13/02/2026 14:18

Zero. I don’t need the money nor do I want to “charge” my daughters for living in their own home. They have enough to deal with.

Dbank · 13/02/2026 14:18

Another way to look at it is to charge her a share of the costs of the house, excluding the mortgage. For example if there's 4 people then 25% of

  • Food spend
  • TV License
  • House insurance
  • Gas & Electricity
  • Water
  • Broadband / Phone
  • Streaming services
  • Council Tax
  • etc

I think this is easier to justify, as it's clear you're not making a "profit" from her. I would either add it up every month, or review it every 6-12 months.

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 13/02/2026 14:16

£200 is not really rent it is board, covering her share of food bills laundry etc

to my mind rent is paying for the space, food utilities etc are on top of that

average cost of food in UK is £40 per adult per week so that is £160 already you are paying £30 for phone so that leaves £10 for share of bills so a bargain

to my mind she should be paying her own phone

£900 (-200 board) (-30 phone) (-50 ISA) -(60 transport) (-75 clothes and makeup)
still leaves her 465 for going out, eating out, presents, entertainment savings for a car holiday etc
my guess is 465 is way more than your own free do what you like with it money

AquariunLady · 13/02/2026 14:15

Men0pauze · 13/02/2026 14:01

Just wondering why would you charge your daughter rent? Is money in the home tight?

To give her an idea how to budget? She is not likely to have £850 disposable income when she leaves home. The mum is suggesting putting some of the rent money into the ISA.

ExplodingCarrots · 13/02/2026 14:14

Men0pauze · 13/02/2026 14:01

Just wondering why would you charge your daughter rent? Is money in the home tight?

Teaching them life skills ? Teaching them how to budget ?
This comment always grips me on here . I’m late 30s and out of people I know / friends , the ones who wasn’t charged rent at home struggle with money now and always running to parents to be bailed out .
Even if you take the money and put it aside for them for later , they’re still learning that you got to budget and can’t live off mum and dad forever and learn to contribute to a household .

catipuss · 13/02/2026 14:13

Nothing unless you are really short of money, let her save as much as possible while she can.

TheSmallAssassin · 13/02/2026 14:13

I worked out what a third of our shared bills were (three adults living here at the moment) and charge that. I would get her to take her own phone contract on too (probably good to help her build up a credit record)

Tryagain26 · 13/02/2026 14:12

I wouldn't charge her rent but I'd make her pay for her own phone

TheSmallAssassin · 13/02/2026 14:11

Men0pauze · 13/02/2026 14:01

Just wondering why would you charge your daughter rent? Is money in the home tight?

Because adults (especially working ones) pay their way in life?

redboxerclub · 13/02/2026 14:09

33% of take home pay.

MajesticWhine · 13/02/2026 14:06

£200 is fair enough. It’s a bargain really, if you think about food, heating, hot water, broadband, council tax. I have never charged my adult kids any rent but I’m probably too soft.

Men0pauze · 13/02/2026 14:01

Just wondering why would you charge your daughter rent? Is money in the home tight?

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