'It's a weird thing for my landlord to ask me': Renter conflicted over landlord's request for her to care for his kids indefinitely

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Jun 6, 2023 11:00 AM EDT

One landlord's plan is so strange that this woman turned to the internet to figure out what she should do. As u/ismylandlordweird wrote to r/AmItheA**hole, her landlord has suddenly put her in an incredibly awkward situation. 

The OP shared that she has been living in the basement of a family's home. She got along well with them at first, writing that she mainly keeps to herself. But then suddenly, the landlord left the country, claiming he had a parent who needed urgent care. At first, he brought along his wife and kids, and just asked the OP to keep an eye out for mail and packages. 

However, after a week had passed, this landlord reached out again for another favor, and this one is much bigger. You can read the OP's entire tale below, as well as the opinions from commenters, who gave her some sage advice on how to handle her landlord's wild request. 

Next, this person took down a micromanaging boss with some anonymous tips. 

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  • 01
    Building - MODOG C '[My landlord] asked me to take his kids to school until he gets back. I don't know when exactly that is.' Lange S HLAN
    via Sangga Rima Roman Selia on Unsplash
  • 02
    Font - . Posted by r/AmItheA u/ismylandlordweird WIBTA for thinking it's a weird thing for my landlord to ask me to take care of his kids?
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 03
    Font - I (25F) live in a large city and stay in a family's basement for over $1300 a month. They have been nice but we don't really talk at all which is fine with me. I moved in around Feb and I mostly keep to myself and just go to work.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 04
    Font - My landlord (50s M) told me they would be leaving to go out of the country because his parent was in critical condition. He took his entire family with him which is his wife and kids. They asked me to look out for packages and stuff while they're gone which is not a big deal so I said okay and to have a safe flight etc.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 05
    Font - A week later (today) he texts me and says his kids would be coming back but not him about a week from now. He asked me to take his kids to school until he gets back. I don't know when exactly that is.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 06
    Font - a The reason I think I might be the is because I think it's an insane request to ask a tenant that just lives here and I don't know if they have any other family here. But I also know we live in a high cost of living area and this house is probably worth more than I could ever afford so I don't see why it's my responsibility to take care of my landlords children, he could probably pay for a ride share service or something else. For reference the kids are at least 17 I believe. My mom says
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 07
    Font - I have a job that I can work from home and maybe have time to take them (I start about an hour after I would take them to school). I haven't called him about it yet because I feel bad but like I said I have a full time job and live in a big city. If I want to go into the office or am required to for anything (I had already made plans to go into the office next week for something I have to do for example) I don't have time to take them because it takes over an hour to get there.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 08
    Font - I genuinely think it's an insane thing to ask a random tenant to do without consideration of my job or my life, he just said "I won't be coming back and I need you to take my kids to school for an undisclosed amount of time." Granted I have not called him yet to hear more and the circumstances are out of his control so I don't know if I am the and should take his kids to a school.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 09
    Font - Easymodelife A Enthusiast [5] NTA. Weird and totally inappropriate and I wonder if he'd have made this ridiculous request if you were 25M. I would just say no, but if you are inclined to do this for him, don't do it for free. Calculate a daily rate for this service that you are happy with then add a decent additional amount on for the last minute nature of the request and make him agree in writing that it will come off your next month's rent before you lift a finger.
    via u/Easymodelife
  • 10
    Font - Alarming_Reply_6286. Are you sure the text was meant for you? This is extremely weird! If his kids are old enough to travel alone & stay on their own at home, they can figure out how to get to school. WNBTA
    via u/Alarming_Reply_6286
  • 11
    Font - Leading-Seesaw-8442. NTA-o think your best bet is replying, "I think you sent this text to me by accident! This looks like something you meant to send a family member, not your tenant."
    via u/Leading-Seesaw-8442
  • 12
    Font - Ok-Context1168 Certified Proctologist [21] NTA. This IS an insane request. I'd just text him back and say Sorry, I'm unable to provide transportation for your kids. If you say yes to this what's next? Will he start asking you to cook for them, clean up after them, etc.? Nope out of this!
    via u/Ok-Context1168
  • 13
    Font - KiaRio Grl 17 year old kids. They throw a party, house gets damaged, someone gets hurt, landlord sues tenant. The liability here is nuts, just like the landlord.
    via u/KiaRioGrl
  • 14
    Font - External-Hamster-991 · NTA. That is a crazy request and it doesn't even sound like is WAS a request. It sounds like an order. Do you have a formal lease in place?
    via u/External-Hamster-991
  • 15
    Font - ismylandlordweird OP. Yes I have a formal lease. I know some people are taking it as we live in the same house and are closer than we are but I really am just a tenant in basically an apartment. Nothing is shared including the entrance.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 16
    Font - KiaRioGrl And it sounds like you only moved in last month. You're perfect strangers, basically. INFO: How many kids, and how old are they? Not that it matters, don't do this of course. I'm just curious as to the depth of idiocy/entitlement of your landlord.
    via u/KiaRioGrl
  • 17
    Font - ismylandlordweir d OP There are 2 kids and they are 17 I think. They are twins.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 18
    Font - contessalynn_art A ΝΤΑ Enthusiast [5] Man, if I was you, I would find a new place to live. Just because it's nice is not worth it. That is the most uncouth thing I have ever heard. Who even does that?
    via u/contessalynn_art
  • 19
    Font - lordliv Parta ipant [1] NTA. Simply call him and say "Hey, saw your text. With my work schedule, this will not be possible." That's all. If he tries to argue, just repeat that.
    via u/lordliv
  • 20
    Font - stunnedonlooker What's wrong with your mom? 35 Reply Share ismylandlordweird OP. A lot. And as I read these comments I realize it's probably a large part in why I felt like I had to ask this sub (uninvolved outsiders) if I'm the as for even thinking that it's weird.
    via u/stunnedonlooker
  • 21
    Font - Update to anyone who sees this, my mom decided she would do this in my place since I am such a terrible person and wanted to refuse. Yes, I know how insane that sounds and hopefully gives clarification to all the people commenting that this is insane and I didn't even need to ask.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 22
    Font - I asked her if she would feel comfortable if for example a boss asked her to do this given the position of power and how uncomfortable it is to even be asked. Her response: I have done that before for bosses. Yeah. I tried discussing with her everything you guys have said even before I posted this but she didn't listen. Thanks everyone for the sanity check as another user called it.
    via u/ismylandlordweird
  • 23
    Rectangle - pensaha Wife could fly back with kids. If it's his family, wife and kids go home.
    via u/pensaha
  • 24
    Font - Plesiadapiformes NTA this is strange and inappropriate. Is it possible he texted you by mistake? But I would be clear with him that this is something you cannot do. 16 Reply Share ismylandlordweird OP. A couple people have asked if it was a mistake and it's not, he mentioned my name in the text.
    via u/Plesiadapiformes
  • 25
    Font - breathemusic14 Certified Proctologist [23] YWNBTA, and just state "Sorry, X but I am not really comfortable with being responsible for someone's kids that isn't family and this also just does not work with my schedule. Please make alternate arrangements for them to have transport!"
    via u/breathemusic14

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