AITA for Locking Roommates Door Over Unpaid Rent?
AITA for locking my roommate's room over unpaid rent? Opinions are divided on this controversial move, with some siding with tough love and others condemning the invasion of privacy.
A 28-year-old guy didn’t just get fed up with his roommate’s unpaid share of rent, he physically locked him out with a padlock. And now the question on everyone’s mind is whether that was a clever money move or a total privacy violation.
OP says he and Alex have lived together for two years, splitting rent and bills evenly. For the last three months, Alex has been falling behind, blaming pandemic-related financial trouble, but OP claims it’s been a pattern. Meanwhile, OP says Alex is still buying designer clothes, new gadgets, and even used rent money for a gaming console, then refused to talk about bills. So OP locked the door the day before rent was due, leaving a note that Alex can’t access his room until he pays.
Now Alex is refusing to talk, and OP is wondering if he crossed the line.
Original Post
So I'm (28M) currently living with my college friend, let's call him Alex. We've been roommates for the past two years without any major issues until recently.
Quick context: Alex lost his job due to the pandemic and has been struggling financially. We agreed to split the rent and bills equally when we moved in.
For the past three months, Alex has been falling behind on his share of the rent, citing financial difficulties. I've been understanding and let it slide, covering for him, except it's become a pattern.
He's been spending money on non-essential items like designer clothes and new gadgets while avoiding rent conversations. Last week, I found out he used his rent money for a new gaming console and refused to contribute to bills.
Fed up with his excuses, I decided to take action. The day before rent was due, I locked Alex's door with a padlock and left a note stating he can only access his room once he pays his portion of the rent.
Alex flipped out when he came back and demanded I remove the lock, calling me an AH for violating his privacy. He found the spare key and unlocked the door, but now he's refusing to talk to me.
I thought this would push him to prioritize bills, but I might have crossed a line. So AITA?
Comment from u/rainbow_unicorn4ever
Comment from u/coffee_cat_lady87
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OP didn’t just bring up rent again, he waited until the day before it was due and locked Alex’s door with a padlock.
Also, this feels like the faux fur mattress fight, where one spouse’s allergies clash with the decision to keep it at home.
The moment Alex came back, he found the spare key and unlocked the door, but the argument apparently didn’t stop there.
What really burns here is OP’s claim that Alex used the money meant for rent on designer clothes, gadgets, and a gaming console.
Since Alex is now refusing to talk, OP is stuck between “he needed to pay” and “I violated his privacy.”
What do you think about this situation? Let us know in the comments.
He might be happier in a different place, because nobody wants to deal with a padlocked door over unpaid rent.
Wait, the boyfriend demanded a cat be declawed after a baby got scratched, read it here.
