He made a deal with his son and allowed him to live in his house for free. However, he backed out of the agreement as soon as he found out his son inherited a lot of money.
Getting His Own Three-Bedroom House
A year before this story was posted, OP (Original Poster) inherited a three-bedroom house in a nice area. He said he could “easily rent it out for $3,000 a month or sell for a million.”
In fact, he’d been bombarded with offers.
Some Complications
Even though he’d like to do either of the two, the house was, unfortunately, in need of a lot of repairs. Additionally, after he paid taxes, he didn’t have a lot of cash to renovate it.
Because of this, OP ultimately decided not to rent or sell.
A Deal With His Son
Then, OP mentioned he has a 23-year-old son, Franklin, who just finished college and worked for an engineering company.
He shared, “Basically, I said he could live there as long as he pays the bills—taxes, utilities, etc., and starts fixing what he can, so I am neither losing nor making money.”
A Good Plan
It was the perfect arrangement. OP said that while his son was “keeping an eye on the house,” he could start saving money for bigger projects and repairs.
He noted that even so, it would still take a couple of years—minimum—to finish everything.
Franklin’s Inheritance
However, everything changed when Franklin inherited $238,000 from his maternal grandfather.
He shared, “The first thing he bought was a Porsche. I feel like he can afford rent.”
Backing Out of the Deal
Now, OP feels he’s “subsidizing a rich kid’s housing expenses.”
He added that his finances have “started taking a hit” and that he had two other sons from his second marriage.
Not Happy With His Decision
Later, OP found out that Franklin moved his girlfriend in, and he was certainly not happy about it. He talked to Franklin and said that between his inheritance, moving his girlfriend in, and OP’s current finances, he had to start paying rent.
I’m Not Doing It!
Franklin, however, doesn’t see things the same way as OP.
OP wrote, “He got furious with me and said I was trying to rip him off and backing out of our deal.”
Getting Nowhere
Neither OP nor his son is backing down. Franklin even accused him of using the money to make the house “presentable” and then selling or renting it out when he should “just give it to him.”
OP said, “I said I’m not dropping this, and I’ll be back with an offer, but he will pay rent.”
What Redditors Think
The community was against OP and wanted to show him that his son wasn’t a freeloader.
A top commenter said, “So he was paying the taxes, utilities, etc., on this place and fixing what he could? That doesn’t sound exactly like he was freeloading to me. If anyone was subsidizing someone else, he was allowing you to keep this building and possibly even make it more valuable to you. Sure, it’s your house, and you can certainly insist he starts paying rent, but you’re definitely going back on your original deal. Feel free to cut a new offer or kick him out, but none of that changes the fact that you’re the a**hole.”
A Contract Between a Landlord and a Tenant
People also reminded OP that he should be ready for the consequences if he pushes Franklin to pay rent.
“Also, OP, you can charge rent, but that also means entering a contract as a renter and landlord so your son no longer does all the other stuff he used to—taxes, etc.—and anything broken or not functioning needs to be fixed by the landlord,” noted one user. Another said, “OP needs to see this and really think hard about charging him rent ‘cause then everything changes, and he won’t like the result.”
Greedy Actions
Some Redditors believed OP’s actions were fueled by greed.
One said, “He is already paying OP rent in the form of all of those things. OP is just greedy.” Another noted, “OP sounds bitter that his son got money and he didn’t.”
You’re Not Honoring Your Deal
Then, other community members called OP out for backing out on the deal he made with his son.
This woman wrote, “You’re the a**hole. You allowed him to move in under the expectation that he would prevent you from incurring losses on the property. That was the bargain you struck, for better or for worse. You are the a**hole because you no longer want to honor your deal because he experienced some good fortune. You are well within your legal rights to demand he leave the property if you so choose. But you’re the a**hole, nonetheless. Honor your agreement.”
You’re Opportunistic!
Some users also noted that OP seemed to be so willing to jump into whatever opportunity, even if it meant not honoring his words.
“You made a deal with your son to benefit the both of you. His inheritance doesn’t change the nature of the deal. But, as soon as he can afford to pay more, you opportunistically decide he has to, and you justify it by pointing to behaviors that are completely irrelevant to the agreement you struck. You’re the a**hole,” wrote one Redditor.
Another person commented, “You are dishonoring your offer to him. You do have the right to toss him out; it’s your house, but don’t pretend you didn’t offer him something and then change your mind. You’re the a**hole for acting like you aren’t just taking it back because you’re irritated he got inheritance money and wants it for yourself. He should move out, and you should manage fixing up the house. This is obviously not good for the relationship.”
Was OP in the wrong? What advice would you give him?
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This post first appeared as He Let His Son Live In His House for Free but Discovered He Inherited $238,000 and Bought a Porsche. Now He Demands He Start Paying Rent! on Quote Ambition.
