Woman Breaks Roommate’s Breville Espresso Machine, Refuses To Pay For Repairs But Still Wants To Use It

Living with roommates often means sharing space, routines and sometimes even kitchen appliances. But while communal living can build friendships and make life easier, it also depends heavily on mutual respect.

When personal belongings are involved—especially expensive ones—clear boundaries and accountability matter. If someone damages something that isn’t theirs, the expectation is simple: acknowledge it and make it right.

When that doesn’t happen, small issues can quickly turn into lingering tension. That’s exactly the situation the OP found herself in. As a passionate coffee lover, the OP had saved up to buy a $400 Breville espresso machine—one of her few prized possessions.

One of her roommates used it without asking, failed to clean it properly and ultimately broke it by running it dry and letting scale build up. Though the roommate apologized and promised to replace it, weeks passed without action.

The OP decided to purchase the same model again, excited to enjoy her morning ritual without worry. That’s when the situation came to a head: the same roommate asked to use the new espresso machine.

She declined, explaining that she no longer trusted her roommate with it after the previous incident. The roommate reacted angrily, calling her selfish while their other roommate accused her of being petty over “just a kitchen appliance.”

Now, the apartment is tense, and OP's left questioning certain things. The full story lies below and you can decide on a verdict afterwards.

The OP kicks off her story saying...

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It's just a coffee maker and we are friends

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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the AH:

I refused to let my roommate use my expensive coffee maker after he broke my previous one and never replaced it. He thinks I'm being petty and holding a grudge over "just a kitchen appliance," which makes me wonder if I'm being too harsh or selfish by not sharing.

Let's head into the comments section and find out what other Redditors have to say about the story

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"It’s about the $400 she promised to replace and then ghosted on"

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This Redditor has a question that needs clarification

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Six months of hard water and daily use

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Keeping the peace means the OP has to swallow her loss

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The OP should her personal stuffs in her room

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This Redditor agrees with the room lockup opinion

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She'll break OP's things and leave her in a pile of bills

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Living with roommates means compromise, but it also means respecting each other’s belongings and personal space. When boundaries are ignored, even small things—like a coffee machine—can become major sources of tension.

Setting limits isn’t selfish; it’s a way to protect what matters and maintain trust in shared living situations. Sometimes saying “no” is the only way to reinforce accountability.

In the end, mutual respect is the foundation of any harmonious household, and it starts with honoring both possessions and promises. OP was declared not the AH, and that's a wrap!