Roommates… In today’s economy, it seems like everyone has one, and with that often comes drama. These people share their current roommate conflicts and ask the internet whether they were at fault or their roommates. What’s your take? Content has been edited for clarity.
“Am I the Jerk For Having My Roommate Cover $650 of My $775/Month Mortgage?”
“About a year ago my last remaining grandparent passed away and my father inherited all assets, including a house. I had been saving for a nice down payment (at least 50%) so I could have a lower mortgage payment each month, thus allowing me to save money for travel. When my father inherited this house, which he had no interest in moving into yet, he offered to sell it to me for slightly below market rate, with the caveat that he and my stepmother could eventually move into the basement apartment. I agreed because they’re both incredible people who are not at all invasive and would give me my privacy if they lived there. So I paid a 60% down payment, financed the rest, and moved in.
Present day: About six months ago I started considering renting out the finished basement apartment. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, and a small kitchenette (sink, fridge, microwave, but no oven). A friend of mine said his brother was moving to my city and needed a place. He’s a brand new teacher and doesn’t make great money, so he needed a place that wasn’t expensive. I offered to let him rent my basement for way less than the market rate ($650) which would include utilities. He readily accepted and signed a year-long lease.
Well, a few days ago he asked if he could start paying the landlord directly instead of giving me rent money each month. I was under the impression my friend had told him I owned the house, or that he read the lease where it clearly states I’m the homeowner, so I was confused and I told him we don’t have a landlord and that I’m the owner. He got very upset and screamed at me for ‘lying for over six months’ and ‘taking advantage of him’ by making him pay so much in rent.
For the record, an apartment similar to the one in my house would be well over twice what he’s paying me, closer to three times for something as nice. He asked how much of my mortgage he’s covering and I said ‘Why does that matter? You’re getting a nice, quiet place to live, access to a full kitchen and laundry room, and you’re paying an amount that you can afford. My personal finances aren’t really a factor here.’
He stormed out of the room and slammed the basement door. He’s still not speaking to me.
I asked a few other friends and some family members, and most said I was wrong for having him cover my mortgage payments. Only a few say I’m in the right. So AITA for having my roommate cover $650 of my $775/month mortgage?
I didn’t get the house for almost free as some people choose to believe. My father sold it to me for about 75% of its value, more or less as an advance on ‘rent’ he and my stepmother will pay when they move in here in a few years. We already agreed they won’t pay monthly rent but will contribute to utilities and groceries at that time. I also made a 60% down payment so I have quite a bit invested, as well as paying about $1500/month out of pocket for taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, etc.”
Pet Sitting Gone Wrong
“My (32F) roommate (28F) has a saltwater fish tank in our living room. I’ll just call her ‘Stacy’. Stacy and her boyfriend planned to go camping for Memorial Day weekend, and since I was staying home, she asked me to feed her fish.
I had no issues with this, so I said, ‘Sure. No problem.’
Well after they left while I was cleaning the living room, I noticed some green/yellow stuff forming at the sides of the fish tank. So I grabbed one of the new white sponges that we use for cleaning and wiped down the outside and inside of the tank. It was brand new and bright white so I didn’t think it would be harmful to the water.
Everything was normal, so I went about my business and it wasn’t until they came home that I knew anything was wrong.
Apparently one of her fish had died and she immediately blamed me and yelled at me. I told her everything I did, feeding and cleaning the tank for her and she looked angry. She asked me to show her which sponge I used, and when I did she told me it was a Mr Clean Magic Eraser and that there are chemicals inside of those sponges.
I said I was sorry, but now she wants me to pay for her fish stuff. I’m not sure what all needs to be fixed, but I know it is expensive. Right now, she won’t talk to me till then.
She knows I can’t afford this so I refused.
Turns out there are no harmful chemicals in those sponges, I tried talking to Stacy but she insisted I’m lying and since it died on my watch I am responsible. She’s still refusing to move on. I don’t think I’m the a**hole but my partner thinks I should at least pay for some damages. Am I the jerk?
Should He Call CPS?
“I really need someone to tell me if I should go ahead with calling CPS or if I’m just being a judgy jerk.
I am a man, in my early twenties. This Wednesday a new roommate moved in. She is a woman in her 20s, a single mom to an adorable 5-year-old daughter. I had never met this woman before she moved in. She was brought in by our landlord. We had a 10-minute convo Wednesday before I went to work (I work the night shift).
Yesterday she woke me up at 7 a.m. (I got home at 3 am), she told me that she had to go to work, but that her daughter was in bed and if I would keep an eye on her. I was sleep-deprived and by the time I was about to say no, she had already left.
Am I crazy or is it very dangerous to leave a 5-year-old girl with a strange man? I am a good person, but she didn’t know that. I don’t even think I would be able to leave a kid with someone I knew for weeks, let alone minutes.
Her kid is well taken care of, she is happy, they cuddled after her mom got from work, she read her a story, played with her, and all, that’s why I am hesitating.
Oh and she apologized for dumping her on me, apparently she wasn’t even supposed to go to work, but there was an emergency.
So WIBTA if I called CPS on her?”
