AITA for locking out my roommate?

Finals week can turn even minor annoyances into major issues, especially when it comes to living with roommates. In this update, a 21-year-old college student recounts how repeated forgetfulness about a key during finals week forced them to lock their dorm room door—resulting in a major fallout. With sleep and security on the line, the decision to lock the door sparked a heated debate about whether personal boundaries or roommate obligations should take precedence.

‘AITA for locking out my roommate?’

In shared living situations, clear communication and mutual respect are paramount. According to family and roommate dynamics expert Dr. Laura Markham, “Roommates must establish and honor clear boundaries while also working together to address recurring issues. When one party repeatedly disrupts the household routine—especially during high-stress periods like finals week—it’s essential to find a balanced solution that protects everyone’s well-being.”

In this scenario, the narrator has experienced continuous sleep disruptions and security concerns due to their roommate’s repeated forgetfulness with the key. The decision to lock the door, although unilateral, was driven by the need to maintain a peaceful and secure environment.

Dr. Markham notes, “While it’s understandable that a roommate might be inconvenienced by such measures, the host also has a right to protect their space, especially when prior discussions and agreements have been ignored.” Ultimately, the expert emphasizes that proactive communication and establishing a clear spare key system could have prevented the conflict, but in the absence of such arrangements, protecting one’s own peace is justifiable.

Check out how the community responded:

Many redditors understand the narrator’s frustration, arguing that during finals week, sacrificing sleep and security is unacceptable. They applaud the decision to enforce personal boundaries. Others, however, believe that a conversation about the recurring problem should have preceded the action, suggesting that a compromise—such as setting up a spare key system—might have maintained harmony. The debate highlights a split between those prioritizing personal well-being and those advocating for proactive communication in shared living spaces.