Grad Student’s Roommate Loses Her Mom and Believes She Doesn’t Have to Pay Her Part of the Rent Because of It

One roommate’s grief turned into a rent dispute, and the whole apartment suddenly had a problem no one wanted to solve. A grad student says her roommate lost her mother, came home early, and then started acting like rent no longer applied to her.

The situation got messier because the grieving roommate was barely working, while the poster was already stretched thin on a student budget. She tried to help around the apartment, asked for rent money when it was due, and even pushed for a landlord extension, but that did not settle anything.

Now the question is whether compassion has a limit when the lease still has to be paid. Read on.

Losing a loved one is difficult, but you shouldn't exploit friends' support because of it

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OP Wonders if She’s the A-hole for Not Wanting to Pay for Her Mourning Friend’s Rent

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Her Roommate's Mom Passed Away

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The Roommate Flew Home, but She Returned Quickly. She is Upset and Doesn't Work Much

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OP Took on All of the Chores to Help Her Roommate Out

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OP Asked Her for Rent Money Because It Was Due Soon

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But the Roommate Got Angry

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The Problem is That OP is a Grad Student and Doesn't Have Much Money. She Can't Afford to Pay the Whole Rent.

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Also, it mirrors Jane covering Sam’s rent share, then getting shut down when she asked for reimbursement.

OP Also Doesn't Want to Set a Precedent...

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OP Asked the Landlord for an Extension

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But She Couldn't Work It Out with Her Stubborn Roommate

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Even One of Their Mutual Friends Says OP Should Pay the Whole Rent

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Where is the Line for Support?

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The Redditors Were Unanimous

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Rent Must Be Paid

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OP Has Done Enough. Let the Landlord Deal with the Roommate

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Responsibilities Do Not Disappear When You Are Grieving

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Your Personal Tragedy is Not a Global Tragedy

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OP Has Done a Lot for Her Roommate. But There Are Lines...

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What Would She Do if She Were Living Alone?

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Eventually, OP Paid Only for Her Half of the Rent

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When a friend or coworker is going through a difficult moment, it's natural to want to be as considerate as possible. Supporting them, talking with them, and ensuring their emotional needs are covered, that's what you should do.

If you can also help financially, that would be great. But you are not obliged to.

This online user has done everything she could to help in a difficult situation, but her needy roommate believes it's not enough.

Well, that's really her problem, isn't it?

Before you judge, check out how a roommate’s jobless streak changed rent expectations.