AITA for making my SIL pay above average rent for one bedroom?
Picture this: a stormy afternoon, a bolt of lightning cracks the sky, and poof—your house is a smoldering memory. It’s the kind of drama you’d expect from a movie, not real life. But for one Redditor, this was the start of a saga that’d test family ties, patience, and the limits of a glorified closet. After losing everything, she and her family turned to her sister-in-law (SIL) for help—only to get squeezed for cash and space in return. Fast forward to today, and the tables have turned. Now, the SIL needs a roof, and our petty protagonist isn’t feeling generous. Is she wrong? Let’s dive in.
The aftermath of the fire was a blur of relief and despair. The kids were safe at school, the parents at work, but their home? Gone. Insurance dragged its feet, leaving them scrambling. Enter the SIL, offering a lifeline—two rooms in her house for a modest fee. It sounded like a rescue mission, until it morphed into a nightmare of cramped quarters and inflated rent. Our Redditor’s simmering resentment now faces a test: should she dish out the same bitter medicine when her SIL comes knocking?
‘ AITA for making my SIL pay above average rent for one bedroom?’
Letting family crash at your place can feel like opening Pandora’s box—hopeful at first, chaotic soon after. This Redditor’s story is a classic clash of give-and-take gone wrong. Back then, the SIL turned a favor into a profit scheme, cramming five people into a shoebox room for $1,000 a month while pocketing food stamps. Now, she’s balking at $800 for two in a decent bedroom. The hypocrisy is thicker than a farmhouse stew.
Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship expert, once said, “Fairness is not about keeping score; it’s about mutual respect” (via The Gottman Institute). Here, respect went out the window when the SIL exploited a crisis. The OP’s petty payback might raise eyebrows, but it mirrors the SIL’s own playbook—just with better square footage. It’s less about revenge and more about setting a boundary with a side of sass.
This taps into a broader issue: family entitlement. A 2022 study from Psychology Today noted that 63% of people feel obligated to help relatives, yet resentment festers when it’s one-sided (link to article). The SIL’s refusal to pay her land tax—despite raking in $8,000 from the OP—screams irresponsibility. Advice? The OP should stand firm but maybe lower the rent to $600—still a lesson, less of a grudge. Readers, what’s your take on balancing karma and kindness?
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
The Reddit peanut gallery didn’t hold back—here’s the tea: “You’re giving her an 80% discount on having to see her face!” one quipped. Another chimed in, “She knew she screwed you, and now she’s mad the mirror’s up.” Check out the full roast:
These hot takes are pure Reddit gold, but do they hold up in the real world? You decide.
So, is our Redditor a petty hero or a grudge-bearing villain? She’s serving up a taste of the SIL’s own medicine, garnished with a farmhouse twist. It’s a reminder that what goes around can come back with interest—or at least a higher rent bill. What would you do if you were in her shoes—open the spare room or lock the gate? Drop your thoughts below; we’re all ears for your family drama wisdom!
