I had this approach as a teenager. Not because I couldn't manage to gather the cash for rent, but because I was financially wise enough to know that renting is only acceptable for short terms (<1y) and at the time I didn't really have the funds for a down payment on a mortgage. My intention was to live with my parents until I could buy a house. However I was prepared for the possibility that they might want me to eventually start paying rent before that point. I figured if I were going to pay rent then I might as well have my own place. I was fortunate enough to avoid the rent situation, though my folks did bring up the idea that they might have me start paying rent on a couple of occasions. Edit: 'Eden' is married and living with her husband, not a single teenager living with mom and dad. Eden is a moron.