My rule and the rule I had to adhere to is:

Free so long as you're in school, with chores of course. (college included) or,

Rent if you're out of school and just working.

I paid some amount for rent when I starting working.

When I moved out at about 20, my Mom gave me the money back to help with furnishing my apartment. Sort of a forced savings account.

I had kind of a rocky home life, so when I turned 17, I moved out. I lived with a buddy for a few months, but his parents got tired of that. So, before I was 18, I got my own apartment and paid rent to my landlord.

My parents never charged me rent, not even the year I took off from college and worked full time. It wasn't never even brought up. My parents are kind like that.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
As happened with me, my kids lived rent free until they stopped going to school full time.

Ditto, except they’re still in college full time.

quote:

Originally posted by 18Z50:
I have never paid rent. Bought first house at age 26. Military or college dorm living prior..

You didn't have to pay for college dorm?

quote:

Originally posted by 18Z50:
I have never paid rent. Bought first house at age 26. Military or college dorm living prior. Rent is a waste of money.

Agreed on rent being a waste in general. But very few teenagers, or even 20-somethings, have the means to buy a house. I know I sure didn't.

I bought my first house at 26 as well. But I necessarily was paying rent at the college dorm and at a couple different apartments up until then.

My parents never charged me rent, but I moved to my own apartment at age 20 and of course had to pay rent there just like anyone else.

I started paying rent after I graduated college.

This one is a little strange for me......

When I was young (12), I worked for a relative during the summer and was paid off the books. I made about $60/wk. I would have to fork over about $45/wk to my folks. We weren't affluent, so I didn't mind.

Fast forward 8 years, I graduated Tech School and was looking for my first job. I found one about 90 miles from home and needed a car to travel there (had an apartment) and back on weekends. When I found my first car, a new 1970 Plymouth Duster, my Mom gave me a down-payment of all the money they had saved for me from the first job! Was I surprised!!!!

So, technically, I never paid rent, though I thought so..... Once I was 18, I was on my own. The good ole days!!!!

Graduated college I attended out of state then returned home to my parents. Started right after giving $100 a week. ( this was in the early 1990’s) did so dutifully until I moved to an apartment a few miles away just prior to getting married.

I joined the Air Force right out of high school so never paid rent or similar to my folks.

We have two of our four children now who are working their way through college and still live with us. They do pay a portion of the living expenses, I don't call it rent but it could be classified as such I reckon.

When I moved out of the barracks.

My folks let me live free as long as I was going to college full time AND getting 2.5 avg or better
Then in the later 90’s rents in the Bay Area we’re obscene and I was getting closer to done with college and working a full time job and plus a part time I was just saving every dollar and paying a lot of their utility bills and buying groceries and my own car insurance at that point. Moved from their house into my first purchase of a condo.

I started paying rent while living at home at age 15. Eventually, that was a fairly large factor in why I enlisted in the army at 17.

1990-2002

Had a roommate for the entire time.

I'm pretty sick of being a home owner to be honest. Sick of repairs, upgrades, property taxes and homeowners insurance. Still have two years of payments

Rent ? Never .

When did you start paying rent?

When I started making money

As long as my kids are in school/college, making good grades, and staying out of trouble, they are welcome to stay rent-free. As soon as any of that changes, BYE!

TEMPORARY stays while changing jobs, moving, etc. are acceptable, but anything long term would have a charge attached, if allowed at all.

I started paying rent as soon as I moved out after high school.

My parents were pretty chill too. I didn't have to pay rent until I moved out either. They were all about focusing on school and getting a job first.