Woman Says Brother Is ‘Really Upset’ for Charging Him $300 Per Month to Live in Her Guest Room After He Lost His Job
“I don’t need the money, but I feel like he should be held accountable instead of freeloading,” she wrote on Reddit
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Two people arguing (stock image)An older sister is trying to keep her jobless brother accountable — by starting to charge him $300 per month for living in her guest room.
The 28-year-old woman turned to Reddit’s “Am I the A------” forum to describe her debacle with her 24-year-old brother and to ask Redditors if she’s in the wrong for charging him rent.
“He lost his job and couldn’t afford his apartment anymore,” she wrote. “I have a decently sized house with a guest room and so I initially told him he could stay for a couple of months while he got back on his feet.”
“However, I made it clear that I expected him to contribute financially once he found work,” she explained. “He’s now been here for three months, and while he’s applied to some jobs, he spends most of his time playing video games and hanging out with friends.”
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After three months of her brother being unemployed, the woman decided to try something new to ensure he wasn’t just using her.
“I told him I was going to start charging him $300/month in rent starting next month, whether or not he has a job, because I feel like he’s taking advantage of me,” she emphasized. “He got really upset and said I was being heartless since he’s struggling and I ‘don’t need the money.’ ”
Their dad and mom are now defending her brother in this situation.
“My parents are also on his side and said it’s wrong to ‘profit off family’ in a tough time,” she said. “I do have a stable job and don’t need the money, but I feel like he should be held accountable instead of freeloading.”
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A woman holding money (stock image)Wondering if she’s doing the right thing, the woman asked her fellow Redditors, “AITA [am I the a------] for charging my brother rent to stay in my guest room even though he’s struggling financially?”
Her question quickly attracted more than 300 comments, with the general consensus being she’s “not the a------’ (NTA).
“NTA. Your brother is taking advantage. Maybe your parents can take him in and support him?” one person asked.
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The original poster replied, “I’ve talked to them about this but they’re starting to get older now and already have a lot on their plate.”
“I really don’t have an issue with my brother staying with me, it’s just that I'd like to see him contributing,” she added.
Another said, “He’s an adult, so I’m sorry but I’m not sure why them being older really matters? If your parents think that he’s ‘too much for them handle’ that should say a lot about how much you’ve had to put up with.”
“I get that no one in your family wants him to be homeless in the streets or anything, but he can’t just be taking advantage of you aimlessly.” the commenter added. “If he’s not contributing to your household in a way that offsets a very cheap rent cost, then he needs a push out of the nest or he’ll just stay with you forever ‘because family.’ That’s unfair to you.”
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