Pregnant 28-year-old insists that her roommate move out of their 2 bedroom apartment to make room for her baby: 'We are both on the lease and I have no intention of moving out'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jun 27, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

It's essential to consider living with roommates as a temporary arrangement, as you never know what will happen with them. They might decide to move in with their boyfriend on a whim three months into the lease, forcing you to find a subletter as soon as possible. They might have a major, tragic event happen in their family, which means they won't be renewing their lease for the following year. Or they could stop paying their rent on a whim, forcing you, the person whose name is also on the lease, to find a solution to a problem you didn't create. 

If a roommate has a significant life circumstance that necessitates a move, that's their cross to bear. What they can't do is request that their roommate leave the apartment before the lease is up, because they want to stay in it and want their roommate to go. Roommates can't control where you live.

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  • 01

    You should move out. I need the space for the baby.

    I'm a 26-year-old woman sharing a two-bedroom apartment with my roommate, Leah, who is 28. We've lived here for about five months now. The arrangements have been quite straightforward we each have our own bedroom, we split rent evenly, and we generally keep to ourselves. I
    via u/Muted-Vanillia

  • The roommate in this story is trying to take over the whole apartment because she's expecting a baby. She wants her roommate to move out as soon as possible so her baby can have his own bedroom. Her roommate has no intention of moving out and is understandably insulted that she would even ask.

  • 02
    work remotely, so I've set up at small desk and monitor in my bedroom to serve as my home office. It's not a huge space, but it's enough for my needs. About a month ago, Leah found out she was pregnant. I congratulated her and assumed she had a plan in place for whatever adjustments she needed to make. I was so wrong.
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10522636800
    via Sylwia Bartyzel

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 04
    Last week, she asked to have a serious talk and told me she had decided she needed the entire apartment to herself. Her reasoning was that once the baby is born, it will be too stressful and cramped to share the space with another adult. She said she
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 05
    wanted to turn the second bedroom which was my bedroom into a nursery, and she thought I should start looking for a new place soon. I reminded her that we are both on the lease and that I have no intention of moving out, i had no prior plans of doing that and get a urgent apartment in my state was a hassle. I pay my
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 06
    share of the rent and bills, and I rely on this space to do my job. Her pregnancy, while important to her, does not give her the right to kick me out or repurpose my space for her convenience.
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10522637824
    via Spacejoy

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 08
    She didn't take that well. She insisted that I was being inflexible and unsupportive, saying it was unfair for a newborn to be crammed into her room when there was another perfectly good bedroom in the apartment. She argued that, as someone without children, I should be more compassionate and
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 09
    understanding of her situation. Since then, Leah has become increasingly passive aggressive. She slams doors, mutters comments under her breath, and frequently makes remarks about how some people only care about themselves.
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 10
    "ID is an inspiring and intelligent resource for designers and their clients as they redesign their future. Sixteen global case studies offer an in-depth understanding of all of the considerations that contribute to original lasting design solutions and successful partnerships between clients and their consultants -Alina Wheeler, author, Designing Brand identity "David Airey has a keen eye for design around the world and a commitment to design excellence. There are gems of original work througho
    via Kevin Lehtla

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 11
    She keeps suggested that I should do the right thing and make space for the baby as though her personal life choices somehow outweigh the legal agreement we both signed. I've already contacted our landlord to make sure my rights are protected in case she tries anything sneaky. I'm not going
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 12
    anywhere. Leah is the one who chose to have a baby mid lease with no real plan in place. That's not my responsibility to fix, and I'm not giving up my home because she failed to think things through.
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 13
    If she wants more space, she can find another apartment. I'll gladly help her pack.
    via u/Muted-Vanillia
  • 14
    MeFolly If she believes that she and the baby need a two bedroom apartment to themselves, then she should start looking for one immediately.
    via u/MeFolly
  • 15
    cindyana_jones Timeline wise, if she just found out she was pregnant and they have ~7 months left in the lease, she really should be fine to have the baby in her own room the first couple months until her lease is up and she can start a lease at her next apartment
    via u/cindyana_jones
  • 16
    Colora_Dan Ideally babies stay in the same room for a year because research shows it lowers SIDS risk.
    via u/Colora_Dan
  • 17
    Cofeefe And OP should get reduced rent because she would now be sharing the space with a 3rd person. A very LOUD third person.
    via u/Cofeefe
  • 18
    pwalto Ignoring all the other reasons this request is bananas, you could point out the sleeping safety guidelines strongly recommend baby sleeps in bassinet in parents room for at least 6 months. That future baby shouldn't need its own room for a WHILE!
    via u/pwalto
  • 19
    Melt-all-ICE I'm old enough that I slept in a dresser drawer for the first six months of my life. I don't necessarily recommend it, but families have been managing small spaces with babies and children for centuries now. Methinks mom wants more room for herself.
    via u/Melt-all-ICE
  • 20
    Catchandrelease5999 She wants to move the baby daddy in…....
    via u/Catchandrelease5999
  • 21
    De-railled 1. OP didn't get their roommate pregnant. Why should OP suffer for roommates' decisions? 2. OP did not agree to live with a baby or a roommate with a baby. 3. Where is the baby daddy? 4. The Roommate should have offered to reimburse OP for all moving-out fees and inconveniences, at a bare minimum. or discussed other options.
    via u/De-railled
  • 22
    wanderingdev You don't need to move now, but you should make plans for when the lease is up. You don't want to live with a newborn and an entitled passive aggressive mom.
    via u/wanderingdev
  • 23
    DragonScrivner This is the answer, OP. No, you don't have to move but you should think about it for the future because sharing an apartment with a newborn will not be fun for you, especially as you work from home. ETA Don't move for your roommate and the baby; move for yourself so you can ensure your home remains the one you want to be in.
    via u/DragonScrivner
  • 24
    Twinkle Toes MamaFox Sh, I wouldn't even want to be around for the pregnancy. TBH, this seems like a game of tug of war where your best off just let go of the rope and allowing the other person fall on their a. Don't be so stubborn and self-righteous that you miss the opportunity to get yourself into a better situation (which is defiantly out there) just because the gift-horse is entitled.
    via u/TwinkleToesMamaFox
  • 25
    AspiringSheepherder $10 says she would still expect you to pay your half of the rent
    via u/AspiringSheepherder

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