AITA for throwing a family into the street?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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The air in the cramped apartment feels thick with anticipation, as a young couple juggles baby bottles and blueprints, dreaming of their new home just out of reach. They purchased their dream house last August, envisioning a nursery with soft sunlight and space for their 10-month-old to toddle freely. But the sellers, caught in a construction delay, cling to the keys, pleading for extra time. The couple’s patience frays as their contractor’s schedule tightens, forcing a tough choice: stick to the contract or bend to emotional pleas?

This Reddit saga unfolds with raw emotion and relatable stakes, pulling readers into a clash of promises and priorities. Will the couple’s firm stance make them the villains, or are they just protecting their family’s future? The story resonates with anyone who’s navigated the messy terrain of homeownership, where dreams meet deadlines and empathy battles practicality.

‘AITA for throwing a family into the street?’

My wife and I purchased a home back in August from a family who was waiting for the construction on their own new home to be completed. We agreed to close at the end of December, but further agreed to give them a grace period of up to three months to the end of March if their construction was delayed past the expected completion date.

They repeatedly told us they didn’t expect any excess delays and would be trying to move out of the house as soon as possible. In November, the seller informed us that they were going to need to take the full 3 month grace period, as their construction had gotten more delayed than expected.

We grumbled at the time, but accepted this, since it was in the contract and was their right to take it. In the meantime my wife and I have been living in an apartment my parents own, waiting to move into our new home. My parents bought the place in our city so they could spend more time closer to us and to our child who is their first grandchild, born 10 month ago.

My parents only plan on moving here for an extended period starting in September of this year. The apartment we’re in is pretty small, and is not really suitable for a baby, especially one who is right on the cusp of walking. We are very eager at this point to move into the new place and make sure it has sufficient amenities for the baby, as well as for us.

In order to get things ready as soon as possible, my wife has been working to secure a contractor for a renovation of our new home which is estimated to take up to a month. We have already paid a down payment to the contractor to book him for April of this year.

So you can imagine our surprise when the seller called up about a week ago and offered to pay rent for us to extend the grace period an extra six weeks. We didn’t really want to delay further so we told them that we were sticking to the terms of our contract and that they had to give us the keys and remove all of their property from the premises by the end of March.

Today they called again and this time begged to let them stay for an extra month until the beginning of May. They said that they had nowhere to go, her mother is going into surgery at the end of the month and they don’t have a place near where their daughter is supposed to go to school.

We wanted to be reasonable, so we called our contractor to see if he could push off doing the work until May, but he’s already booked and wouldn’t be able to start the work until August, so we called them back and told them we wouldn’t be able to help, and that they would have to make arrangements for themselves elsewhere.

At this point the wife in the couple started crying and saying we were basically throwing them out onto the street. We do have a safe, free place to stay, but we are already paying the mortgage on the house that they are currently living in. So, Reddit, AITA for sticking to the terms of the contract and forcing them to leave the home?

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Navigating homeownership disputes can feel like walking a tightrope over a family drama. The couple’s insistence on the contract reflects a need to prioritize their growing family, while the sellers’ pleas highlight the chaos of unexpected delays. Both sides have valid points, but the contract is the anchor here, legally and emotionally. The couple’s frustration is palpable—they’re paying a mortgage for a home they can’t yet call theirs, with a baby on the cusp of walking in a cramped apartment.

This situation mirrors broader challenges in real estate transitions. According to a 2023 report by the National Association of Realtors, 28% of home sales face delays due to construction or financing issues, often straining buyer-seller relations ( nar.realtor ). The sellers’ request for an extra six weeks, while sympathetic, pushes the couple’s plans into disarray, especially with a booked contractor.

Dr. John Duffy, a psychologist specializing in family dynamics, notes, “Boundaries in high-stakes situations like home purchases are crucial for mental clarity and fairness” (psychologytoday.com). His perspective underscores the couple’s need to protect their family’s stability, even if it feels cold to the sellers. Their refusal isn’t heartless—it’s a practical choice to avoid further disruption, especially with a renovation looming.

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For solutions, open communication could ease tensions. The couple might suggest the sellers explore short-term rentals or storage options, as Reddit users advised. Mediation or legal advice, as suggested by real estate expert Athena2560, could also clarify next steps, ensuring both parties feel heard without derailing the couple’s plans.

See what others had to share with OP:

The Reddit hive mind didn’t hold back, dishing out candid takes with a sprinkle of wit. Here’s what they had to say about the couple’s standoff:

lonnielee3 − NTA. Good grief. Sorry to say this, but you may have to legally evict those folks.

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5nl007 − NTA They can go get an apartment & put their stuff into storage. It’s their turn to be displaced and you guys need to get into your home. It sux but they need to move on.

[Reddit User] − NTA this is why contracts exist. Their construction delays are their problem, not yours.

Rowanever − NTA. That's an interesting detail about having nowhere to go *near where their daughter goes to school*. I'd be expecting people who were seriously worried about **literally** living on the streets to be a smidge less fussy about location at that point. Sure, their situation sucks, but they have the means to buy a brand new home it doesn't sound as though they're teetering on the edge of desperate poverty,

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and your decision will tip them over forevermore. 🤷 I'm a smidge confused that this whole building delay thing seems to have come as a complete surprise to them? I've never bought a house, but I've seen others building often enough to know that if everything goes exactly to schedule, you should be shocked and confused.

MissSuzieSunshine − NTA at all They sold you the house - if they havent figured out where they were going to go after selling the house - thats on them - its not your responsibility to carry them until they can figure it out. Your responsibility lies in taking care of your family - and if youre already paying the mortgage on the house you bought, then you and your family need to be living in it.

EveningJellyfish1 − NTA. You have been more than accommodating giving them *three months* beyond your original closing date to move out. Now they are asking for five months? No. Stand firm, because there will always be some inconvenience for this family that will keep them from getting out. You are already paying the mortgage, it's your home.

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MabelPines_ − NTA. Can’t they rent storage space and stay with friends or family….

bishopredline − NTA.. But wait, in certain states you will need to evict them and that can be a nightmare. For example some states have a moratorium on eviction because of Covid.. I always tell people never let the owners stay, even for a day, in the house you are purchasing.

Athena2560 − NTA. I am a real estate agent and I would advise you to start eviction proceedings. Depending on your loan, you may need to take possession ASAP.

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BeeYehWoo − NTA. Not your problem. You bought a house you cant even live in yet and have your own family to worry about. You compromised and reach an agreement. You do not wish to renegotiate.

These are the hot takes from Reddit, but do they capture the full picture? Some see the couple as cold, others as pragmatic.

This tale of contracts and compassion leaves us pondering: where’s the line between kindness and self-preservation? The couple’s choice to stand firm protects their family’s future, but the sellers’ desperate pleas tug at the heartstrings. Homeownership is never just bricks and mortar—it’s a battleground of dreams, duties, and deadlines. What would you do if you were balancing a baby’s needs against a family’s hardship? Share your thoughts—have you faced a similar standoff, and how did you navigate it?

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