As house prices soar and the number of first-time buyers is decreasing every year, more and more young people are staying at home with their parents, but when should children start to pay board?

Rent on flats and houses across Burton, Swadlincote and Uttoxeter range from £400 a month up to £800 for two-bedroom house.

Parents can receive child benefit from the government up until their children are 16, or 20 if they are in approved education or training. Child benefit is currently set at £20.70 a week for the first child and £13.70 for an additional child.

Some parents choose to charge their children board to support the household

Earlier this year, a limit was placed on child benefit so that parents will not be able to claim an additional amount if they have more than two children. Families claiming child benefit can see an extra income of £1,800 a year.

However, when families stop receiving these payments, they may decide to start charging their children board to contribute to the running of the family home. People in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire were quick to share their own views on charging children board.

Claire Whetton said: "I started to pay rent to my parents when I had my first job at the age of 15. Why should I have kept my wages and my parents pay for my toiletries when I was getting my own money?"

Rebecca Anne Robinson said she would charge her kids a third of what they earn. She said: "Just to rent a small flat is £400 plus without food, electricity, gas, TV licence, broadband and council tax etc."

Most parents seem to charge their children board when they start working

Mystique Fae Haze said: "A friend charged their kids rent when they wanted to get on the property ladder. They then revealed they'd put it all in an ISA for a deposit for their first house or flat."

Claire Simms said: "My son works part-time while in higher education. We have asked for £20 a week, which covers his mobile cost and a bit towards the food."

Marc Taylor said: "I think children should pay board because it teaches them that life isn't free."

Alison Gardner said: "It very much depends on circumstances as to what and how much you would expect your child to contribute.

"As a single parent in a rented property on a low wage, I have just lost all tax credits, child benefit and maintenance for my daughter because she has just left full-time education. We can't afford to take that drop so yes, as a fellow adult in the house she now needs to find a job so she can contribute to use keeping a roof over our heads. We are a family and we are in it together."

Tanya Potts said: "I believe a child should stay in your home until they are ready to fly the nest. Why would I charge the children I brought into this world and raised? They will have to deal with enough so let them have their freedom for as long as possible.

Deb Harrison said: "My son pays £25 weekly, but he feeds himself; £50 if he wants to be fed as well. I paid board when I was younger and I think it's paramount as it teaches them how to handle money and make them learn that they need to work to live."