AITA for refusing to let my coworker move in after she got evicted, even though I have a spare room?
A Reddit user faces a moral dilemma after a coworker, who was recently evicted, asks to move into her spare room. While the Redditor sympathizes with her coworker’s situation, she values her newfound privacy and comfort in her own space. After politely declining the request, she receives backlash from coworkers who label her as selfish. Read the original story below to see how she navigates this challenging situation.
‘ AITA for refusing to let my coworker move in after she got evicted, even though I have a spare room?’
I (28F) recently moved into a nice two-bedroom apartment on my own after saving up for years. I have a good job and wanted a space where I could finally have peace and privacy. I’ve been enjoying having a place that’s just mine, and I turned the second bedroom into a home office.
Last week, one of my coworkers (32F), who I’m friendly with but not super close to, was evicted from her apartment. She came to me in a panic asking if she could move into my spare room “just for a couple of months” while she gets back on her feet. I felt for her situation, but I’ve been really enjoying my space and value my privacy.
I explained that I’m not comfortable with someone else living with me and suggested she check out some short-term rentals or ask her family. She got really upset and accused me of being s**fish, especially since she knows I live alone with a whole empty room.
She told some of our coworkers, and now a few of them are giving me side-eye and making comments about how I could “easily help” but just don’t want to. I don’t feel like I should have to let anyone into my personal space, even if they’re in a tough situation. But now I’m starting to wonder if I’m being cold-hearted. AITA for refusing to let her move in, even though I could help?
See what others had to share with OP:
Tdluxon − NTA. First, it sounds like you aren’t even that close, so you don’t owe her any special favors. Second, if she got evicted then that pretty much tells you that she’s a problem tenant, which you don’t want at your house.
Third, whenever someone desperately begs a friend or family member to let them move in for “a couple of months” it always ends up being a lot longer than that, and usually they won’t leave until you kick them out and then their all upset at you again and making you out to be the bad guy.
Last, there’s a good chance it would violate the terms of your lease if you don’t clear it with your landlord in advance. As far as all of the co-workers, if they are so concerned they can invite her to move in with them.
RodeoBob − INFO. If you’re **renting** an apartment, then part of the terms of that lease or rental agreement is that you don’t have long-term “guests” staying with you. By letting a co-worker who isn’t on the lease/rental agreement stay there for months, there’s a non-zero chance that *you* could be evicted for violating your lease/rental agreement.
ReviewOk929 − NTA
1. She’s 32 and working, she should be capable of not having to rely on a work colleague
2. Coworkers are hardly stepping up to the plate here
3. Most importantly you’re not obligated to share your space if you don’t want to.
ladystetson − NTA. I would have done the same thing. You don’t owe a complete stranger free room and board. Especially one who has a history of financial instability. Get real.
FairyCompetent − NTA. If she is 32, with no one to ask for help but a not-very-close coworker, and she is behaving this way after you said no, living with her would have been an absolute nightmare.
RelationBig4907 − It’s hard taking in family let alone a coworker. She should try renting a room. NTA
teresajs − NTA. Report her behavior to HR. Tell HR that coworker’s insistence on trying to move in with you , telling your other coworkers, and her calling you s**fish for not housing her has been making you uncomfortable.
LateAd3528 − Hell no! Do not do it!!
Beneficial-Ad4047 − NTA. Asking to use the camper parked out by the garage is reasonable for a good friend or family. Asking for a spare room from a none-too-close coworker is too much. If you wanted a roommate, you’d have one already. The “gets back on her feet” bit also leaves me feeling like she didn’t expect to be paying half of the expenses if you did let her move in.
As for the coworkers giving you the side eye, ignore them. They can start her a go-fundie. If you have to address the situation with them, ask them what they’ve done to help. I mean, certainly, they must have a couch no one is using or maybe a $100 that’s just sitting in the bank doing nothing. That’s the kind of stuff they’re expecting of you.
Ratchet_gurl24 − Those other co-workers claiming you can easily help. Well so can they. I’m sure one, or more, can easily accommodate her in one of their rooms. Don’t you think!
Do you think the Redditor is justified in prioritizing her privacy over helping a coworker in need, or should she have offered her spare room? How would you approach a situation where your personal space is at stake but someone else is in crisis? Share your thoughts below!