Homeowner catches their new housemate secretly planning an overhaul remodel of her property behind her back, friendship fallout ensues: ‘[So] I kicked her out'

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jul 29, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

When you're looking for a roommate, there are a few key things to consider before inviting someone to come live in your home. Are they hygienic? Are they courteous of your sleep cycle? Do they wash their dishes? Will they permanently alter the aesthetic of your property with a secret remodel through an elaborately deceptive web of lies?

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  • Although it may seem dramatic, those are the questions that the homeowner in our next story had to ask herself after allowing a friend to move into one of the rooms in their house. After inheriting a sizable home in a nice area, the homeowner decided to help out a friend by allowing them to rent a room for a discounted rate. At only $500 a month, this was a steal–but things started getting shady after the ungrateful friend moved in. 

    Enriched by her newfound sense of savings, the friend started taking liberties of her own in the house. This is to be expected to an extent, but when you start planning enormous construction projects behind your landlord's back, you quickly become the bad guy. As if the deception of the secret remodeling plans weren't enough, the homeowner also noticed strange patterns of sketchiness when her friend started ‘gifting' her extended solo vacations and continually tried to get her out of the house at odd hours. 

    Hmm, what are you planning behind my back? 

    Keep scrolling for the prolonged deception of the remodeling plans that tore apart a friendship–all because a renter was too audacious to ask permission to permanently alter her friend's home. After this, here's another insane tale of apartment drama where a series of passive-aggressive notes led to an all-out feud.

  • 01
    “Change all the locks"
    via canva
  • 02
    AITAH for kicking out my friend after I caught her planning a secret home remodel?
    via No-Bit3854
  • 03
    So I inherited a house from my dad a few years ago. It's a 3 bedroom place in a nice neighborhood where rent usually goes for about $2500+/month. Since I don't pay rent but have to cover upkeep and insurance, I figured having a roommate would be a good idea.
    via No-Bit3854
  • 04
    One of my close friends who works from home seemed like a good fit. I did the math and decided $800/month would cover everything comfortably. When I offered her the room, she asked if she could pay $500/month for the first few months until she got settled in her new job. I agreed because $500 still covered the bills, and I wasn't looking to profit off her.
    via No-Bit3854
  • 05
    A few months in, she started acting really weird. She'd constantly send me out of the house... to the store, to pick up her boyfriend, to get coffee for us, but she never wanted to come with me. I thought it was odd but didn't think much of it at first.
    via No-Bit3854
  • 06
    Then things got really suspicious. She was always video chatting when I wasn't around, and I caught glimpses that looked like she was talking to construction guys. One day, I
    via No-Bit3854
  • 07
    snooped and found texts between her and several renovation companies asking for quotes to remodel my house. She was saving money on rent to secretly plan a home remodel on MY house, which I did NOT approve of.
    via No-Bit3854
  • 08
    She even tried gifting me a week stay in Vegas a few weeks ago, probably hoping I'd leave so she could start the remodel. I told her I don't like to leave for that long, which now I'm super glad I did. When I confronted her, she
    via No-Bit3854
  • 09
    did. When I confronted her, she swore she wasn't actually going to go through with it, but I don't believe her. The texts and video chats were pretty convincing and I saw my address on every quote. I kicked her out because |
    via No-Bit3854
  • 10
    couldn't trust her anymore. Also haven't spoke since she left. My house has a lot of sentimental value to me, and I love its antique charm. I'm so glad I trusted my gut and stayed. So, AITA for kicking her out?
    via No-Bit3854
  • 11
    CinnamonBlue 23h ago Why would she do that? Claim part ownership of the house because she "invested" in it?
    via CinnamonBlue
  • 12
    No_Thanks_1766 • 21h ago She's doing this because she wants to claim that she made a substantial investment and now she's a part owner. Kick her out. She made or attempted to make alterations to your house without your consent.
    via No_Thanks_1766
  • 13
    Also, please tell me you had her sign a lease, even if it was a basic template from online? Either way, go to a landlord/tenant lawyer and get this sorted out right away. You have no time to waste here.
    via No_Thanks_1766
  • 14
    SnooWords4839 • 20h ago Check your credit, check the deed to your home. Get cameras and if you saw the contractor's name, call them and let them know, you are the owner of the home and never approved of any work.
    via SnooWords4839
  • 15
    nO-AREa153 • 23h ago NTA she's a renter meanwhile you're the owner. I can't remodel my apartment because i'm simply a renter. you did the right thing especially since she was trying to do it behind your back. Had she spoken with you maybe you could've mutually agreed on something to be remodeled or nothing at all
    via nO-AREa153
  • 16
    Plane-Chemist-3792 22h ago NTA you did the right thing, what a crazy loon to think she can remodel your home without asking? i can't stand delusional people
    via Plane-Chemist-3792
  • 17
    Ziffolous • 22h ago I have rented out rooms to friends many times over the years. Never had an issue like this but no matter who the person you rent out the room to, you need to have a lease agreement with them. All
    via Ziffolous
  • 18
    lease agreements have rules regarding any modifications to the rental. If they don't want to sign the lease then that should be a major red flag. You need the lease to protect yourself and your property.
    via Ziffolous
  • 19
    Scarlet Darkstar • 20h ago . NTA, that's insane, and she must have had some ulterior motive involving a claim on the place.
    via ScarletDarkstar
  • 20
    Does she know these construction people well? If unpaid they can put a lein on the property. I don't have experience with the details of those, but there is something very wrong with the situation.
    via ScarletDarkstar
  • 21
    Leviosahhh 15h ago NTA. I had a friend of 15 years pull almost this same stunt, except she was rent free for the first three months, and on day 1 showed up without the area rug we agreed upon (to protect my carpet from her
    via Leviosahhh
  • 22
    four dogs and cat) saying she hated rugs and was going to tear up my wall to wall Berber carpeting anyway. The floor she had to herself was the only one with great carpet that hadn't been destroyed by
    via Leviosahhh
  • 23
    the previous owners dogs (they hadn't been allowed on that floor). I very quickly reminded her that I was the owner, not her, and our association wouldn't approve any work without me
    via Leviosahhh
  • 24
    signing off on it, which I wouldn't do. I ended up starting the eviction process after three months because she was convinced she suddenly became a co-owner on my home and was above my associations by laws.
    via Leviosahhh
  • 25
    Don't give your friend an inch after trying this, it's so far beyond entitled and disrespectful. Kicking her out was the right move.
    via Leviosahhh
  • 26
    KittenAndTheQuil 19h ago NTA I hope you were smart enough to contact those companies and tell them they don't have authorization to enter your home. I was surprised you didn't say you contacted the companies already. I would've done it when I found the texts.
    via KittenAndTheQuil
  • 27
    Small_Lion4068 • 18h ago She was trying to create partial ownership. If you do this again make sure you have a signed agreement laying out the fact that your renter has no rights to the property whatsoever and may not make any structural changes of any kind
    via Small_Lion4068

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