AITA For Evicting A Family So I Can Move In?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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Sarah’s life unraveled like a frayed sweater when she discovered her husband’s five-year affair, leaving her and her three young children—ages 7 and 5—crammed into her parents’ modest three-bedroom home. With her marriage crumbling and finances in tatters, the 27-year-old mother felt hope flicker when her late grandmother left her a 4-bedroom house—an unexpected lifeline to rebuild her life.

Yet, this gift came with a heavy twist: the house is home to a single mother and her five children, a family reeling from their own loss. Sarah’s brother and his girlfriend labeled her selfish for considering eviction, while her parents urged her to claim what’s hers. Torn between securing stability for her kids and uprooting another family, Sarah stands at a crossroads, her heart heavy with guilt and possibility.

‘AITA For Evicting A Family So I Can Move In?’

My life is kinda in upheaval right now so I really don’t know if I’m the AH in this situation or not. TA because my brother is on reddit. So, background: six weeks ago I (27f) found out that my husband (30m) has been cheating on me for the past five years, with a few different women.

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I immediately moved myself and our kids (7f, 5m, 5m) to my parents’ house, where my brother (22m) also lives. Being only a 3bd/1ba house, it’s *very* cramped, but my parents insisted that I leave my husband’s. I’ve only worked part time for extra cash since the twins started preschool (2 years ago), and was a stay at home mom for 5 years before that.

My husband owned our house and controlled our finances. I’ve realized in all of this that I own almost nothing, have almost no work work experience, and only have a general studies associates degree (had to cut college short because I got pregnant). Suffice to say that I’m freaking out about how I’m going to provide for my kids going forward, because I do plan on divorcing.

Which brings us to this post: on top of everything, my grandma passed away two weeks ago. She was very private with her finances and while we knew she and my late grandpa made money from renting houses, she told my mom a few years ago that she’d sold all her rental properties. Come to find out that she kept two, and in her will left one to me and one to my brother (only grandkids).

The one my brother inherited has been vacant for a bit. But the one I received is a 4bd/1.5ba with a family of 6 that live there- a single mom and five kids. She’s a friend of a friend, so I do know that her husband died in 2020 from you know what. As much as I obviously miss my grandma, this house is an absolute god send, and I started crying when I found out about it.

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I told to my brother and his girlfriend (20f) how me and the kids can finally get our life back on track a bit. His girlfriend got really cold and asked if I was really gonna evict a family when I could just live at my parents until I got on my feet, especially since my brother is now going to move into his inherited house and make more room.

And my brother agreed with her, saying it was selfish! My parents said it’s my house and I can do what I want, but they see his point, and that the family living there could easily be in the same situation as me.. It’s been such an emotional few weeks, so IDK if I’m being a selfish a**hole or not.

EDIT: This has only been up for a little bit, but thank you so much for the advice and comments so far. It's been such a whirlwind that I forgot that I just need to stop and *breathe* sometimes (thanks, anxiety). She's on a month to month lease for a little under market rent.

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I was so focused on the fact that I now own something other than my 15 year old vehicle that I didn't even consider staying at my parents for a bit after my brother moves out. I recently started a more full time position, and my kids love their grandparents, so this makes the most sense while I tackle all of the legal stuff that's coming my way.

I'll talk to my parents tonight about this route, which would alleviate a TON of guilt I was already feeling about the possibility of eviction. Thanks for snapping me out of my own head for a bit!

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Sarah’s dilemma is a poignant clash of survival and compassion. Her inherited house represents a rare chance to regain control after a devastating betrayal, yet evicting a struggling family feels like kicking a nest of sparrows. With only part-time work and an associate’s degree, Sarah’s financial footing is shaky, making the house a critical asset for her children’s future.

The broader issue of housing insecurity looms large. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, over 580,000 Americans face housing instability annually. Sarah’s empathy for the tenant—a single mom who lost her husband—mirrors this crisis, but her own kids’ stability is non-negotiable. Financial expert Suze Orman advises, “Secure your own oxygen mask first before helping others”, suggesting Sarah prioritize her family’s needs while navigating this ethically.

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A practical path could involve keeping the tenants temporarily, using rental income to bolster savings while staying with her parents, especially since her brother’s move will free up space. This aligns with Orman’s emphasis on building a financial buffer before major moves, giving Sarah time to tackle divorce proceedings and job prospects without immediate pressure.

Offering the tenants 60-90 days’ notice shows compassion while asserting her rights, balancing kindness with necessity. Consulting a financial advisor could further clarify if rental income might fund a cheaper apartment, delaying her move.

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Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Reddit users rallied around Sarah, their opinions sizzling like a backyard grill. Most see her as justified, arguing the house is her lifeline after a brutal betrayal, though some urge compassion, suggesting she delay eviction to give the tenants time to relocate.

The community’s split reflects the story’s complexity—Sarah’s need for stability versus the tenants’ precarious situation. Many emphasize leveraging rental income while staying with her parents, highlighting a pragmatic yet empathetic approach that could ease her guilt and financial strain.

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Smitty_80013 − NTA - your brother an SIL are for guilt-tripping you. Also, The house your cheating husband THINKS he owns, is half yours. Make him sell or refinance and give you the money. Plus go for alimony and child-support.

Do all of this WHILE staying at your parents and collecting the rent from the home your GM left you. Now you have cash, an income, and then buy another rental home and start building a rental 'empire.' Good Luck!

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MersWhaawhaa − Honestly - stay with the parents and charge the renter's market priced rent. You can use that money to assist you further. Moving into a house with zero income is going to see you loose that house and having to move back in with your parents anyway.

ParsimoniousSalad − Talk to a financial advisor. It might make more sense to continue to use the income the property produces to help build your savings so you're on firmer ground to either 1) eventually move in to the house and be able to handle all upkeep needed or 2) rent a cheaper place for yourself.

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You didn't inherit the property with the responsibility to keep the family housed, but if they are paying reasonable market rent your interests and theirs might be aligned right now. NAH

[Reddit User] − NAH. One suggestion. Maybe stay with your parents for a bit. The rental income will help you earn some money right now. It doesn’t hurt that you’re helping someone who probably needs the help right now.. After things are more settled for you give the lady notice.

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Shitsuri − NAH. Give ample notice and time for them to move, finish their lease or whatever. Renters know that’s a risk hanging over their head, but a compassionate approach makes a whole world of difference.

amb1143 − You are not an a$$hole. You are o**rwhelmed.. The thing you need to ask yourself is what you can live with. Can you hold on at your parents, with extra room now, and take income from the renters to get yourself back to together? Or long enough for them to find a place to go? Or do you really need to evict a struggling family that might not have a place to land like you did?

There is no judgement here from me. God knows I could only imagine how hard this is for you. But it sounds like you need to do a little more soul searching. Also, if you are a working single parent, I imagine having your parents nearby to help you is a good scenario for the time being.. Best of luck.

SaikaTheCasual − NTA that’s always a risk when renting a house or flat. It’s your house now and you NEED it. It’s fine to let them know they need to move out within a reasonable timeframe and then claim it for yourself.

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BUT please be careful, even if the property is payed off there are running costs on property, so make sure you’ll be able to pay them before making the call. :) I wish you best of luck in your new home!

ssoreo − Info?? There's info missing that's necessary background. 1. Can you even afford it? ( Like the maintenance and taxes etc). 2. Also what are the terms of the lease/rental agreement? Imo it doesn't make the most sense based on what you described as you admit you have a spotty and light work history, and you have a rental property that I assume is generating income?

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Why wouldn't you stay a little while and save up money to be in a better financial position so even if you decide to move in you've both given the tenant time to find somewhere new and you'll have money in case somiis needed for upkeep etc.

Also depending on the agreement in place it may take a lot to remove the family currently living there. YWBTA if you kick the family out with little or no notice especially if there was an agreement in place especially since you know their situation.

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NalothGHalcyon − This sub is hilarious. Nine times out of ten the people here act like having a house out for rent is evil because it means you're a landlord. Try to move into that house and you're evil because the tenants need a house to rent. NTA

[Reddit User] − It's not selfish to want to move into a home you just inherited after you've had to leave your marriage. But also of course it's not gonna feel good evicting anyone, especially a single mom. Are your parents charging you rent? If your brother is moving out and you can stay with your parents for a little while then you'll have income from renting the house you inherited.

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Or you could maybe use that income to rent a cheaper place for you and your kids so you'd have some extra money. It depends on what you need, but either way you're NTA. You're in a messy situation you didn't ask for.

Sarah’s story lays bare the messy trade-offs of life—securing a future for her kids while wrestling with another family’s fate. Staying with her parents could offer breathing room, but the pull of a fresh start tugs hard. Share your thoughts and experiences below—how would you balance compassion and necessity in her shoes?

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