When parents let their adult children live with them, should they make a contribution to the house? 

In June it was reported that Ireland is one of the seven EU countries that saw the biggest increase in young adults (25-34 years old) living with their parents between 2010 and 2019.

John told Lunchtime Live he thinks “rent” is the wrong word to use when a child pays to live with their parents. 

“It's a contribution,” he said. “Young people want to be treated like adults... [but] they have a certain entitlement that they should not contribute. 

“I overheard a conversation between two young adults at a family event, both in their early 20s, giving out and being so annoyed that his parents were asking him to contribute to household. 

John said this young relative earns a good living “and can be really generous” - but he was still offended when asked to pay rent. 

“It just seems to be that mindset that you’re entitled, and your parents should give you money,” he said. 

2FNHN26 Rent due sign in the planner and key.

John said parents should ask for a contribution to teach their children about to “understand and respect” a property. 

“You teach them to run a household and what being an adult is and what being responsible is,” he said. 

Responsibility

Nia told the show her daughter paid a “symbolic” rent of €100 a month, with utility bills split equally – and her daughter wasn’t happy. 

“She said, ‘but why? I just started working just now’,” she said. “So I gave her a few months to start build some [money] on her own.” 

After Nia began charging her daughter a small contribution, her daughter ended up thanking her for the responsibility. 

“A few months after she moved out with her boyfriend and another friend, and it was kind of funny because she was the only one that actually had a clue how to manage,” she said. 

“She actually said, ‘Thank you so much, mom, because now I know how to manage my budget’. 

“Once she started to pay for the utility bills, she was more conscious even about the electricity... it was just those little things.” 

'A no brainer'

Sinead said she was grateful for the experience of paying rent to her parents. 

“It’s showing responsibility for me and my situation,” she said. “As soon as I was earning, I absolutely gave them money.” 

Sinead and her husband moved in with her parents after having their first child and never dreamed of not contributing to the home. 

“If you're in your 30s and you're earning, it's kind of a no brainer,” she said. 

You can listen back here: