Brother charges siblings to stay in renovated vacation cabin, entitled family gets up in arms despite not contributing financially or physically to repairs: " Every spare dollar I had went into fixing up that place"

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Feb 22, 2025 5:00 PM EST

How much do you expect to pay for a week-long trip? There was a time when AirBnBs were the best option. You could get a whole apartment to yourself for the same price as a cheat motel. Nowadays, for the same price, you can expect to be sharing at least a common space with other passers-by as well as the host because the AirBnB is actually just his closet with a mattress in it. Thus, the cheapest option might be to crash with a friend or relative in the area. Although, as it turns out, they might charge you, too.

In our story today, a man puts tons of money and physical work into renovating his grandparents' cabin. It was a sentimental feat that no one else in his family was willing to take on. However, they did expect to benefit for free from the fruits of his labor. Get all the details by scrolling down below. 

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  • 01

    AITA asking my brother pay use family cabin after he refused help restore ?

    "Our grandparents wouldn't want the cabin to be a business."
    via thomaszsebok

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    A few years ago, my (35M) grandparents passed away and left behind a beautiful but very run down lakeside cabin. It had been in our family for generations, but by the time it was passed down, it
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 03
    was in rough shape, the wood was rotting, the roof leaked, and the plumbing was ancient. My parents, not wanting the hassle, offered it to my younger brother, Matt (30M) first, since he had always talked about how much he loved the place growing up.
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 04
    At first, Matt was excited, but when he saw the actual state of the cabin, he quickly changed his mind. The renovations would cost tens of thousands
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 05
    of dollars, and the upkeep was more than he was willing to commit to. He told my parents that he "wasn't in a position to take on such a big project" and that it was "too much work for a vacation home". So they turned to me.
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 06
    I thought about it for a while, and even though I knew it would be a lot of work, I loved that cabin. I spent almost every summer there as a kid, fishing with my grandpa and roasting marshmallows with my cousins. It meant something to me. So I took it.
    via u/LaRainax523

  • Our protagonist really cared for the space. You can tell he really put his soul into making the space liveable and comfortable again.

  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10470880768
    via Skyler Ewing from Pexels

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    The thing is, taking ownership wasn't just signing some papers, it was years of work and tens of thousands of dollars. I had to replace the roof, reinforce the foundation, fix the plumbing, and completely redo the deck, which was one bad storm
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 09
    away from collapsing. It became my after-work project, but it also became a major financial commitment. Every spare dollar I had went into fixing up that place. I've asked my family to help out many times, whether financially or physically with labour but no one ever did.
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10470881024
    via Skitterphoto from Pexels

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 11
    Fast forward to a few years later, and Matt reaches out saying he and his wife want to take their kids on a summer vacation and "would love to use the cabin for a week". I told him sure but he'd need to contribute $500 to cover utilities and general wear and tear.
    via u/LaRainax523

  • That is such a fair price. If it weren't for his brother, he wouldn't have a cabin to hang out in, and he would have to pay way, way more for a week-long trip.

  • 12
    He flipped out. He said I was being greedy for charging family and that the "Grandparents wouldn't want the cabin to be a business". I reminded him that he had the chance to take
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 13
    ownership, and he chose not to because he didn't want the responsibility. Now that I've poured my time and money into making it a livable space, it's not fair for him to expect a free vacation just because we share blod.
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 14
    He argued that "it's not like you're paying rent on it" and "you were gonna be there anyway". But that's not the point. If I let him stay for free, where do I draw the line? Do I have to offer it to every cousin,
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10470881280
    via Tim Abramowitz

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 16
    uncle, or second cousin twice removed who wants a weekend getaway? If Matt contributes nothing but gets free access, doesn't that mean I'm basically paying for his vacation?
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 17
    Now our mom is involved, saying I should "do the right thing" because "family helps family". I told her that Matt was offered the cabin first, and he said no
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 18
    because it was too much work. I had then asked for financial or physical help and he also denied. He didn't want to deal with the responsibilities, he just wants the benefits now that I've taken on all the costs.
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 19
    Matt hasn't spoken to me since, and our mom keeps telling me I'm being unfair. Am I the ah le for expecting him to chip in, or is he just entitled?
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 20
    Dipshitistan NTA. Matt didn't contribute, mom didn't contribute, so between them they have zero say and you should have zero f s to give.
    via u/Dipshitistan
  • 21
    LaRainax523 OP You're absolutely right Matt and my mom had their chance to contribute, and they chose not to. Now that the hard work and costs are behind me, it's only fair that they respect the effort I've put in.
    via u/LaRainax523
  • 22
    Needelz Actually OP - it's your cabin. Change the locks and take it off the table. A good friend of mine is going through this and it's a thankless job.
    via u/Needelz
  • 23
    If brother wants to use the cabin, he can buy half the investment you put in (time and materials) and set up a small corporation that shares all of the expenses equally.
    via u/Needelz
  • 24
    You are right once you start sharing it, It all goes downhill from there. remember deed goes unpunished. - no good
    via u/Needelz
  • 25
    Wildfawnn NTA. He passed on the cabin because of the work, now he wants the perks without contributing? That's entitled.
    via u/Wildfawnn
  • 26
    Maximal_gain NTA he did nothing to help restore and maintain the property. If you are now the legal owner, no one gets. a say in who does or doesn't get to stay there or if they have to pay our not. Tell mom to bat out, if they had maintained it you wouldn't have had to sunk so much money into it to begin with.
    via u/Maximal_gain
  • 27
    deagletime1 "family helps family"... when its convenient. family that helps family when its not convenient gets to ask for help in the future.
    via u/deagletime1
  • 28
    Bonnm42 NTA I would ask your Mom "If family helps family, where was my help when I asked for it with the cabin? You all had no problem not helping me. You don't get to use the family excuse and guilt trip me
    via u/Bonnm42
  • 29
    just because you are showing favortism to my Brother. I would advise 1 of 2 options. 1.) You pay the $500 and Matt can use the cabin or 2.) You stay out of this like you did when I asked for help."
    via u/Bonnm42
  • 30
    Tablessssssss NTA and you should probably put new locks on the doors because Matt will be going to the cabin whether he pays or not
    via u/Tablessssssss
  • 31
    Affectionate Pear9514 And cameras
    via u/AffectionatePear9514
  • 32
    tashien NTA Holy cr p! $500 for a week at a cabin in a scenic location is a steal!! Can I pay you $500 for a week there??? Seriously, he doesn't get to reap the rewards of your hard work restoring the cabin. And since the cabin is now yours, your mom doesn't get to tell you what to do with it. Your brother can go
    via u/tashien
  • 33
    pound sand. Tell your mom that you are an adult, the cabin is now your property, property you specifically asked everyone for help restoring; everyone said no. Now that it's restored, they don't get to use it for free. If they don't like it, too bad; it's YOUR PROPERTY. She needs to b t out. Go enjoy your cabin, my dude.
    via u/tashien
  • 34
    Training Duty3129 This is exactly what I thought. $500 for an entire week is beyond reasonable. NTA at all.
    via u/TrainingDuty3129

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family drama brother siblings home renovation reddit story relationships favoritism parenting favorite couples entitled cabin reddit thread Reddit entitled people vacation
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