Setting Boundaries: Should I Expect Rent Contribution from Roommates Sibling?

A 28-year-old woman thought moving in with her roommate meant smooth, fair living, until his sibling turned that “temporary” favor into a month-long free ride. And now she’s stuck doing the math in real time, watching her budget get squeezed while someone else treats the apartment like an all-inclusive hotel.

Here’s the messy setup: it’s a cozy two-bedroom, just the two of them splitting rent and bills equally, until the roommate (26M) asked to let his 24NB sibling crash. She agreed because she believed it would be short-term, but four weeks has turned into a stalemate, with the sibling not paying rent, utilities, or groceries, while racking up water, electricity, and space.

She’s at her breaking point, and the real question is whether she should finally push for rent from the sibling or force the roommate to fix the living arrangement before resentment wins.

Original Post

So I'm (28F) living with my roommate (26M) in a cozy two-bedroom apartment. It's been great so far, just the two of us splitting rent and bills equally.

Recently, my roommate's sibling (24NB) hit a rough patch and needs a temporary place to stay. My roommate asked if they could crash with us for a while, and I agreed, thinking it would be short-term.

However, it's been a month now, and the sibling shows no signs of leaving. They don't contribute to rent, utilities, groceries, or any household expenses.

Instead, they use up water, electricity, and space as if they're entitled to it without chipping in. This is starting to feel unfair and burdening on me financially.

For background, I'm on a tight budget, and every dollar counts. I didn't sign up for a third roommate long-term, especially one who freeloads.

I've tried hinting about pitching in, but my roommate doesn't address the issue. I feel like they're taking advantage of our goodwill.

I've reached a breaking point and want to confront my roommate about either the sibling contributing their fair share or finding another solution for their living situation. Am I the jerk for wanting to set boundaries and not letting my roommate's sibling stay rent-free indefinitely, potentially straining our living arrangement and friendship?

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This is also like the AITA question about charging a sister rent after she moved in rent-free.

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Her roommate’s “temporary” promise lasted exactly one month, and the sibling still isn’t paying a dime for the space they’re using.

Every time she tries to hint that the sibling should start contributing, her roommate shrugs it off and the freeloading continues.

The unfair part hits harder because OP is on a tight budget, so this isn’t just awkward, it’s actively draining her money.

Now she’s ready to confront her roommate about either making the sibling pitch in or finding another place to stay, because she can’t keep absorbing the hit.

What do you think about this situation? Let us know in the comments.

Nobody wants to be the only one paying rent for someone else’s “rough patch.”

Still not thrilled about a long-term “guest” who won’t pay rent, see the woman who refused to split rent equally with an overstayed roommate.