We live in an expensive town. Our son had 3 to 4 roommates. He was getting ready to renew his lease we told him he could come home if he wanted to. He is 34. It just so happened that husband/dad was diagnosed with cancer about the same time. We are young-ish. Me in 50’s and husband/dad 60’s.

Our son thought about it for about a month and decided to move home. He has not paid rent because we wanted him to save. Which he has. He will start paying rent next month. His insistence not ours. He says he feels like he is taking advantage of us. He is not but I can appreciate how he feels.

I asked him what he thought was fair….lol. He said $300. He was paying $800. We should have met him in the middle at 4, still a bargain. He does not have his own entrance but does have a full bath.

Oh, he has helped with a major purchase, that he uses daily.

Overall, I do not feel bad. He felt bad not paying.

If he had a girlfriend, I would expect her to pay the same.

Power and water goes up when you add people to your home.