Coworker Secretly Subletting Our Apartment: AITA for Asking Him to Move Out?

A 28-year-old man shared an apartment with his coworker, Sam, for a year, and it seemed like the kind of roommate setup that just works. Rent and bills were split, they got along, and when Sam traveled for work, OP basically had the place to himself.

Then a neighbor started clocking “different people” coming in and out whenever Sam was away. OP checked the lease, found the subletting rules, and confronted Sam, who admitted he had been renting out his room on weekends through a short-term rental platform.

Now OP is stuck dealing with the trust fallout, the lease risk, and the fact that Sam wants to keep living there after making OP an unwilling part of his side hustle.

Original Post

I (28M) have been living with my coworker, Sam (30M), for the past year. We get along well and splitting the rent and bills has been smooth.

Sam travels frequently for work, so I often have the apartment to myself. Recently, a neighbor mentioned they see different people coming in and out of our apartment when Sam is away.

Concerned, I checked our lease agreement and found out subletting is not allowed without landlord approval. When I confronted Sam about this, he admitted he's been renting out his room on weekends through a short-term rental platform to make extra cash.

I was shocked and disappointed as this put the lease and our security deposit at risk. Sam apologized but argued he needed the money.

I asked him to stop immediately and compensate me for any earnings made from subletting. He agreed but seemed reluctant.

Now, I feel uneasy living with someone who betrayed my trust and compromised our living situation. I requested him to move out within a month and find a new place.

Sam is upset, claiming he has nowhere to go and can't afford to move. He's been avoiding me at work and our relationship is strained.

AITA for asking my coworker to move out after discovering he's secretly subletting our shared apartment without my knowledge? I feel conflicted as I don't want to leave him homeless, but I also can't ignore the breach of our living arrangement.

So AITA?

The Breach of Trust

This situation really hits home for many because it revolves around a fundamental human value: trust. The OP had lived with Sam for a year, likely assuming they had an understanding of mutual respect and transparency. To find out that Sam was subletting without consent is more than just a lease violation; it feels like a personal betrayal. It's not just about the apartment; it's about the integrity of their living arrangement.

When a neighbor brings this to light, it raises questions about how well we really know the people we share our spaces with. This breach could easily sour their entire working relationship, making it a complicated mess that extends beyond just a roommate situation.

Comment from u/AdventureSeeker87

Comment from u/CoffeeAddict_42

Comment from u/music_lover123

The neighbor’s tip is what finally forced OP to look at the lease, and that’s when Sam’s weekend money scheme came to light.

Complicated Living Arrangements

Living with a coworker can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you share common ground; on the other, professional tensions can seep into personal spaces. In this case, the OP's discovery of Sam's subletting raises several questions about boundaries. Was Sam's decision born out of financial necessity, or was it sheer opportunism? Either way, it complicates their dynamic.

It’s hard to separate work from home, especially when trust is broken in both arenas. The OP is left to navigate a tricky landscape of roommate responsibilities and workplace interactions, making it nearly impossible to avoid the emotional fallout.

Comment from u/CuriousCat99

Comment from u/SunflowerDreamer

Comment from u/PizzaLover_88

When OP confronted Sam, he didn’t deny it, he just said he needed the money, which made the whole “we’re fine” roommate vibe collapse fast.

It’s like the roommate who secretly sublet office space, and got asked to move out after safety concerns.

See the AITA case where she was told to move out.

Community Reactions

The Reddit community's reaction showcases the diversity of perspectives on this issue.

Comment from u/AdventureTime42

Comment from u/GamerAtHeart777

Comment from u/BeachLover_25

OP asked Sam to stop immediately and even demanded compensation for the earnings, but Sam’s reluctance made it clear this wasn’t a simple mistake.

The Next Steps

Ultimately, the OP’s decision to ask Sam to move out raises questions about how to handle conflicts in shared living spaces. The dynamics of their relationship will likely shift dramatically, impacting not just their home life but also their work environment. If the OP acts on their feelings of betrayal, will it lead to a hostile atmosphere at work? Without these, situations can spiral quickly, leading to emotional and financial consequences for both parties involved.

Comment from u/Bookworm_11

After OP requested Sam move out within a month, Sam started avoiding him at work, and the strained relationship turned into a daily reminder of the betrayal.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

The Bigger Picture

This story serves as a reminder of how vital trust is in both personal and professional relationships. When that trust is broken, the fallout can affect multiple aspects of life. What would you do if you were in the OP's shoes? Would you prioritize maintaining a harmonious living situation, or would you take a stand against the betrayal? These are questions that resonate with anyone who's ever shared a space with someone else.

What It Comes Down To

In this situation, the original poster's reaction is rooted in a profound sense of betrayal after discovering that his roommate, Sam, was subletting their apartment without permission. This breach of trust not only jeopardizes their lease but also significantly undermines their relationship, both as roommates and coworkers. Sam's need for extra cash may explain his actions, but it doesn’t mitigate the impact of his choices on their living arrangement and professional interactions. The tension is palpable, and it raises broader questions about accountability and empathy in shared spaces.

He might be happier in a different apartment, because nobody wants to pay the price for someone else’s secret weekends.

Still shaking after Sam’s secret subletting, see how another coworker’s office housing blew up. Read the AITA showdown over secret subletting and rent split.