AITA for kicking my uncle out of “his” house?

A Redditor (23M) inherited his grandfather’s estate, including a house rented by his uncle (50M) under a contract. When the contract was up for renewal, family tensions exploded over construction done without permission, demands for a lenient new contract, and disagreements on the sale price of the house. Now, the Redditor faces pressure from family to give in to his uncle’s terms or accept a lower sale price, but he’s standing firm on maintaining his rights and the original agreement.

‘ AITA for kicking my uncle out of “his” house?’

The article has the next update at the end.

I (23M) was very close to my grandfather, who passed away last year. He left me his entire estate, including the house after my grandma divorced him. Before he passed, my grandma had asked him to let her son (my uncle, 50M, not biologically related to my grandfather) rent the house. They set up a 3-year contract for $1800 a month, and at the end, he could buy the house for $377K. The contract ends this November.

After a lengthy probate process, the house is now officially in my name. My uncle asked if I’d extend the contract because of high interest rates, but I didn’t want to—I’m hoping to buy my own home soon. My grandma pressured me, saying “it’s family,” so I reluctantly agreed to extend it for 3 more years.

While I was waiting for a new contract to be drafted, my uncle asked if he could start construction on the house. I said no, but then a friend of mine (who was doing the work) told me that my uncle had already started construction without my permission. I went to check it out, and sure enough, major work had been done without permits. I confronted him, and he denied it until I showed him photos. He claimed it was “his house” and that he could do what he wanted.

Later, during a family holiday, my uncle and his girlfriend ambushed me, proposing a 5-year contract with lenient rent terms, no restrictions on construction, and permission to sublet. I refused and said I’d have my lawyer draft the contract instead. During probate, my uncle and his girlfriend discussed what they would prefer contract wise that left it more open-ended. I continuously listened to their wants; however, I told them in the end I would send them a contract drafted by my lawyer once the house was in my name. 

A few months later, my uncle, his girlfriend, and my grandmother sent me the 5-year contract they had proposed during the family holiday. I firmly declined. My grandmother then called and berated me for not signing, claiming that if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have inherited anything from my grandpa.

At that point, I lost my temper and said, “You have to be f\*cking kidding me.” She responded, “Your grandpa would be disappointed in you for using that language with me.” I replied, “Don’t use my grandpa against me,” and hung up.

Since then, my grandma and uncle have cut me off. I had my lawyer draft a new contract: 3 years, no subletting, and a clause requiring my approval for construction, the rest of the original contract (from my grandpa) is the same. Now my uncle is saying he can only qualify for $350K instead of the $377K he owes, and my family is pressuring me to accept the lower offer, accusing me of forcing him out.

AITA for refusing his contract, insisting he pay the full $377K, signing my contract, or moving out, and standing my ground despite family pressure?

Update here: https://aita.pics/vldcO

Here’s what people had to say to OP:

diminishingpatience −  NTA. My grandma pressured me, saying “it’s family,” So are you. You’re family but they don’t care about that. I confronted him, and he denied it until I showed him photos. My uncle and his girlfriend ambushed me. My grandmother then called and berated me. That’s what you’re dealing with. You’re better off without them.

Pure-Philosopher-175 −  NTA. Legally, it is your house. Evict him and be done with it or he will s**ew you around forever.

HedgieTwiggles −  NTA.. Prime example of FAFO right here. Edit to add: OP, please talk to your attorney about both renter’s rights and squatter’s rights (if applicable) in your area, as well as if the non-permitted work will have any impact on your ownership. I know laws vary from place to place; I just don’t want you to have any issues due to obscure legal technicalities.

TheKublaiKhan −  Seriously, I hate business with family. Do not extend the contract. I can’t stress how ridiculous it is that you are doing business with people that are entitled and liars. NTA. You will be the A if you let them stay any longer.

DinaFelice −  “I’m afraid my financial situation does not allow me to accept anything lower than the amount in the contract. However, I certainly have no objection to you loaning him the difference, since it’s clear you don’t think it’s that much money. Actually, I kind of love that idea! I think everyone trying to persuade me to accept the lower offer should get together and all give or loan Uncle enough money to pay what he owes…after all, he’s family, right?”

NTA. After how poorly your uncle treated you, he’s lucky you even considered *any* new contract with him. After that stunt with the construction, I certainly wouldn’t want him to stay there one more day than I was legally required to allow him unless he purchased the property outright. I wouldn’t trust him not to do more damage to the property, and would want to disentangle myself as completely as possible.

And all the family members pressuring you are hypocrites in addition to being AHs: if they think it is so important to help your uncle, *they* could help him. Not to mention, you are family too, and they aren’t concerned with helping you.

MinnGranny −  Before you have them sign the contract for $377,000 get an appraisal. With real estate values in the past few years, the property could be worth much more. Armed with the true value, you can do a “take it or leave it” stance with no further haggling about the price. Or just sell it to an outside party and make more money.

stiggley −  NTA get the property valued and see how much of a bargain $377k is to them, and how much the lowball offer of $350k is – just to hammer home “No”. Remind them that you, as the owner sets the details of a deal – thy don’t dictate it, and whilst they are family, they also shouldn’t take advantage of family and abuse the goodwill, of which there is little left after Uncle has already started lying and abusing trust.

Laramila −  Y-T-A to yourself for agreeing to another 3-year contract, and you’ve already stated why: While I was waiting for a new contract to be drafted, my uncle asked if he could start construction on the house. I said no, but then a friend of mine (who was doing the work) told me that my uncle had already started construction without my permission.

I went to check it out, and sure enough, major work had been done without permits. I confronted him, and he denied it until I showed him photos. He claimed it was “his house” and that he could do what he wanted. Literally why are you giving him another three years to do what he wants in ‘his’ house.. NTA.

[Reddit User] −  NTA. You definitely need to state in the contract that any construction without written permission is grounds for immediate eviction and dissolution of the contract. Document the current state of the house inside and out. And stick to your guns about the price. He has 3 years to save the 20k.

Here_IGuess −  NTA. If your grandpa got the house in the divorce settlement & your grandma didn’t, then it isn’t her house. It hasn’t been her house for years. Plain & simple. She has received her compensation from the divorce. The moment that she & your grandpa signed the divorce paperwork, it became none of her business. Now you own the house. It’ll still be none of her business. Idc if she wants your uncle to have it or not. She gets zero input.

Even if your grandpa wouldn’t have liked the cursing, I’m sure he’d be calling out her BS for what it is. She & your uncle have been disrespectful of you & your ownership this entire time. Your grandma & uncle are taking advantage of you. Family doesn’t act that way. Do not sell it to your uncle for the lower price. Your aunt, uncle, and grandma have probably known all along that he can’t afford to buy the home.

Your uncle not having the funds is also why they’ve been pushing you to let them stay for 3 more years with no rent increase. They know they’re getting a way better deal renting there than they could possibly get elsewhere. Kick them out as soon as the contracts allow. Rent it to someone else or sell it for its actual value. (If you can get more than the 377, do it. Make sure you know the appraisal value.) You’re an adult.

Homes & property ownership require adult decisions. Inhertances require adult decisions and management. Your family wants you to treat it like a kid’s toy. Don’t. Your grandpa was doing his best to make sure you have a secure future. Don’t squander it for other people who don’t care about your long-term welfare.

Once you decide what to do, let the professionals handle everything. If your grandma & uncle want to get back in contact to gripe at you, block them. They aren’t worth keeping. Anyone else in your family who doesn’t like how you handle your inheritance can learn to keep their mouth shut.