DS 17 and rent

[overitallll]

Today we decided DS ought to contribute to the household. He is 17 and doing an apprenticeship. He earns above minimum wage.
He has flat out refused to pay anything and thinks he should live at home for free as we earn much more than him.
We have a reasonable income but cost of living is affecting us.
DH and DS have now had a blazing row, which doesn't help, but I can't help being disappointed in DS's attitude.
What would you do???

Fine, so he doesn't pay rent. But he could pay for his phone, his clothes, toiletries, transport and do his own laundry, cook at least some of his own meals and generally contribute to the running of the household.

If he doesn't like that he can leave.

It's really depressing to see how many mumsnetters raise pampered princelings and princesslings as a matter of pride.

I can't believe some of these replies. No shampoo for your child because he's got a part time job?

Not a part time job, a full time job giving him a good disposable income.

If it's got a FT job at 17... Let him enjoy his earnings. To be 17 and not broke is rare. Let him be happy

I think he can take over his phone expenses and buy ingredients for an make his own pack lunches now. That will probably come to more than £50 but if fair enough

We don't charge ours but we expect them to pay for their own phone, transport, clothes and entertainment costs. Youngest has only just finished college so child benefit will stop in September but doesn't have a regular job yet - is on zero hours doing cover at the moment so we are still paying their phone contract but won't once they have regular work.

I have considered payment towards utilities but wages currently vary for both according to how many hours they work. They often buy their own food anyway.

General rent - no, it's their home and we don't expect them to pay towards our mortgage.

I think it would be better and help him understand how finances work to charge him for things he needs / wants in his life - phone contract, clothes, transport, clubs - whatever it is - than to charge general 'rent'. Then he can see how much his choices cost, rather than it being put into some amorphous 'pot'. Same difference to you - you might even get more from him this way.