# 54% of parents ‘return rent paid by adult children to help them save a deposit’

By Aneisha Beveridge — 2026-09-25

Aneisha Beveridge, research director at Connells Group, insists staying at home for longer puts a young adult in a stronger financial position after a Nationwide Building Society survey said 54 per cent of parents ‘return rent paid by adult children to help them save a deposit’.

She said: “For many young adults, living at home has become one of the few effective ways to build up a deposit. Even when they’re contributing towards household costs, they’re often able to save far more than they would if they were renting independently.

“Rising rents and broader cost of living pressures mean that putting aside enough money for a deposit has become increasingly challenging.

“Rent now absorbs a large share of many young adults’ incomes, leaving little room to build meaningful savings.

“As a result, more parents are finding ways to support their children, whether that’s charging a modest rent and returning it later as a lump sum, or simply providing a more affordable place to live while they save.

“While not everyone has access to this kind of family support, staying at home for longer can put would-be first-time buyers in a much stronger financial position in the long term.

“For many, it’s become less of a lifestyle choice and more of a practical stepping stone onto the housing ladder.”

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