Landlord-in-Law: 2.5 million young adults live with their partner’s parents

  • A quarter of couples who moved back in with their parents did so to save for a house deposit
  • Just a fifth of those moving in with partner’s parents are charged rent 
  • Children pay parents £115.60 in rent a month - eight times less than the UK average of £928

New research from Churchill Home Insurance1 reveals almost 2.5 million (12 per cent) ‘children’ have returned to live in their parents’ home with their partner in tow.

A quarter of these couples have moved back in to the family home to save money for a house deposit, whilst 12 per cent did so after graduating from University and a further 12 per cent returned home because they could no longer afford their rent. This equates to 1.25 million couples in the last five years, highlighting the financial struggles young couples face when it comes to funding their own home.

The majority of parents welcome their children home with open arms, with 28 per cent pleased they could spend more time with their child and 26 per cent pleased to give them the opportunity to save for their own home. However, not all were as pleased to have their kids return to the nest, with a third of parents (34 per cent) reporting a negative outcome following their child and partner having moved in. The biggest cause of disputes are their offspring and their partner failing to help with housework, with one in seven (14 per cent) parents being frustrated that their child and partner did not help with jobs and chores and 11 per cent of parents were left feeling as though they treated the house like a hotel.

When it comes to the finances, less than a third of parents (30 per cent) charge their child rent, with the average monthly payment standing at £115.60, more than eight times less (88 per cent) than the average monthly rent in the UK of £9282. Partners are even less likely to pay rent, with under a fifth (18 per cent) being charged for staying with their partner’s parent/s. Even those who do pay get a good deal with the average rent charged coming in at just £109.90.

A spokesperson for Churchill home insurance, said: “Moving back in to the family home is becoming ever more popular and is often the only choice for young adults who are trying to save up for a house deposit of their own. Whilst it is surprising that so many have opted to move back in with their parents with their partner in tow, this does allow couples to save more whilst still living together.

“If your child is thinking about moving back in to the family home it is important to make sure you inform your insurer and update your home contents insurance to take into account for their possessions, as this could increase value of the items kept in your home. It is also sensible to consider adding personal possession cover to your policy, as if your child or their partner are planning to take their personal belongings out with them, such as a laptop or phone you may want to ensure these are covered for accidental loss or damage or theft.”

For more information on Churchill Home Insurance please visit https://www.churchill.com/home-insurance

Personal possessions cover explained:

Personal possessions cover is an optional extra when purchasing home insurance and provides cover for your belongings when they are away from home and for up to 60 days a year whilst they are abroad.

 

ENDS

                                                                                                                   

Notes to Editor

 

  • 1Research conducted by Opinium amongst a representative sample of 1,595 UK parents with a child aged over 18 between 14th– 20th September
  • 2Figures taken from the HomeLet Rental Index, October 2018

 

For further information please contact:

 

Claire Jarrett
PR Manager

Tel: 01651 832 411
Email: [email protected]

 

Samantha Stewart

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

[email protected]

0207 282 2856

 

Churchill

 

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

 

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200300 or visiting www.churchill.com