Family Feud Ignites When Father And Daughter Disagree On Legal Documentation For Tenancy

" I just want her to learn financial responsibility."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• December 20, 2023

In the journey towards financial independence, young adults often face familial support and personal responsibility. OP is a father, his daughter is 20 years old and resides with him.

He charges her $50 per week as rent, a rate well below the market value of the room, to teach her financial responsibility. Their arrangement is informal, involving online bank transfers without any formal paperwork.

Recently, his daughter expressed a desire for a legal tenancy contract to have documented proof of her rent payments. However, OP believes this isn't necessary since he's willing to provide rental history references for her apartment applications when the time comes. He also anticipates being a guarantor due to her limited credit.

This suggestion upset his daughter, as she felt uneasy relying on her father to vouch for her, fearing he might say anything. OP is puzzled by her distrust because he has never given her a reason not to trust him.

His daughter accused him of introducing rent payments as soon as he could, although he insists it's about instilling financial responsibility and preparing her for independence. She argued that she wouldn't still be living at home if not for the financial assistance she provided during their COVID-related financial struggles.

To address the situation, OP offered to deduct her rent from the $5,000 he owes her, allowing her to save her current income for moving out. However, this proposal led to further conflict as she suspected he was using rent charges as an excuse to avoid repaying the debt.

Her ultimatum is that either OP stops charging rent altogether or grants her full tenant rights with legal documentation. OP is taken aback by this and is seeking advice on whether he's in the wrong.

OP's daughter lives with them and requested a formal lease, even though OP charged her less than market rent. The purpose was to teach her financial responsibility rather than making a profit.

She was upset because she felt OP couldn't be trusted to vouch for her, even though OP never gave her a reason to doubt him.

The daughter gave an ultimatum to OP, to either stop charging rent or grant her full tenant rights.

OP is in the wrong, he charges her rent and owe her $5,000, yet he is not assisting her promptly with the funds she needs for moving.

She values a rental agreement as a tenant, showing financial responsibility.

OP's lack of intention to return the money strongly suggests that he took it without permission.

Owning her a significant amount of money and still charging her rent without repaying her is not okay.

OP needs to provide her with written proof of her rent payments, which will be useful when she applies for housing.

OP's reason for wanting her to learn financial responsibility doesn't make sense.

OP should repay her ASAP.

Teaching her financial responsibility is hypocritical given OP's own irresponsible actions.

OP's refusal to provide a legal tenancy contract for his daughter, which would cost him nothing and benefit her, shows a lack of willingness to support her.

OP should be grateful that his daughter still considers him family despite his behavior.

OP should reconsider his actions. His daughter wants a simple rental agreement, which won't cost him anything but can help her in the future. OP should agree to it.

Teaching his daughter about money is important, but it's not right to owe her money and not pay it back quickly. He should pay her back as soon as possible.

His reasons for not giving her the rental agreement don't make sense. She needs it for her future rental applications.

Charging her rent while owing her money isn't fair. OP needs to prioritize their relationship and financial fairness by providing the agreement and repaying her. His daughter is trying to be responsible with her money, and he should support that.

Damjan