A Gen Z college student has gone viral after sharing a strict contract her mother presented for living at home, outlining a series of rules and penalties.
Kayla, a 22-year-old from Alabama, posted a TikTok video detailing the "code of conduct" she received from her mother. The contract, resembling a landlord's lease agreement, includes clauses for chores such as doing dishes, taking out the trash, keeping common areas clean, and maintaining the family dog. Fines are stipulated for violations, with a $500 monthly fee for lodging expenses if the contract is breached. Eviction can occur after 30 days of non-compliance.
The contract also imposes specific rules on guests and curfew. Visitors require advance approval, and overnight stays are prohibited except for a "confirmed best friend." Kayla is subject to a 1 a.m. curfew on all days, with exceptions requiring prior notification of an estimated return time and a "legitimate" excuse. She is also expected to respond promptly to her mother's text messages.
Kayla expressed that the rules felt like an overreach, particularly the curfew and restrictions on guests, noting that she is often not home due to her full-time job and online college studies. She indicated that she had recently disabled location sharing with her mother and plans to move out in December or January. She speculated the contract might be a tactic for control or motivation to leave.
The TikTok video garnered millions of views, with many commenters expressing shock at the contract's stringency. Some users found the approach overly corporate for a parent-child relationship, while others agreed with the mother's approach, viewing it as preparation for adult responsibilities. A Realtor.com study indicated that in 2025, a record 25.2 million adults under 35 were living at home, often due to affordability issues or the desire to save money, with wages struggling to keep pace with inflation.