38-year-old son offers Mom to move into his house after he relocates abroad, siblings find out and demand to move there instead, he refuses: ‘You're not allowed in my home’

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    Man leans in doorway, peering into a room
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    AITA for not letting my family live in my empty house?

    I (38m) come from a family that has always struggled to get by. My mother raised 4 sons as a single mother and would go to the ends of the earth for us.
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    She has always rented as has most of my immediate and extended family. I broke the mold when I got my dream house built in 2016.
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    It's quite a large home as (at the time) I was planning on eventually starting a family and having kids.
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    Fast forward to today, I ended up focusing more on my career and have been in no rush to start a family, so besides romantic partners and the occasional temporary room mate, I've lived in my house alone.
  • 06
    I'm set to move overseas later this year and it will be for the foreseeable future.
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    I offered to let my mother live in my house while I'm away (and have offered her many times prior to this) but she has again said no, she likes where she lives and has no plans to move (she is in a housing commission/public housing house so the rent is very low and the lease is essentially indefinite).
  • 08
    Both my older and next younger brother (there are 4 of us and I'm the 2nd oldest) found out about my offer to my mother and started throwing out not so subtle hints about letting either of them move in.
  • 09
    It all came to a head over Easter when they both asked outright if either of them/their families can stay at my house and I told them in no uncertain terms, they aren't allowed in my home while I'm away.
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    This lead both of them to blow up at me, calling me selfish, saying I never needed a house that big anyway and now I won't even be living in it while they both have partners/kids and their current house/apartment aren't big enough for their families but with the housing crunch, they can't afford any bigger.
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    I called them out on this, they both earn decent money but just can't budget. They spend money like it's going to rot.
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    They both go on regular (and quite pricey) holidays, always have the latest gadgets and one just bought a 70k+ ute.
  • 13
    I ended up leaving the Easter festivities early when they wouldn't drop the subject and started using my nieces and nephews as props to guilt me into letting either of them move in.
  • 14
    Packaged belongings on the floor of a house.
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    My family has been blowing up my phone ever since, even my mother has tried to find a way to get me to let them move in.
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    I don't trust them in my home without me, but am I just selfish for leaving a large home empty for so long when they have growing families?
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    Annual-Cancel-7669 If she changes her mind don't let your mom move in. She'll stay where she is and let your siblings in. Also upgrade your security system and cameras before you leave just in case. Change the locks if anyone in your family has a spare key.
  • 18
    CptDevlin61 Original Poster's Reply She's already tried and I've rescinded the offer. She tried convincing me to let them move in and when I said no, she suddenly changed her mind on moving in.
  • 19
    dontlickspoons I have to go with a very mild ESH because OP isn't doing either of those things. There is no reason for the house to just sit empty, especially when there is a pretty much global housing shortage. I wouldn't rent to the siblings, because that's going to cause a bunch more family drama when he eventually comes back and gets painted as the cruel heartless villain for kicking his sibling and their family out of "their house", but at least rent it to someone. And like, it's free money
  • 20
    CptDevlin61 Original Poster's Reply I'm going to be renting it out through an agent that can handle everything while I'm away. I was holding out that my mother would change her mind and move in. I want her to be able to live a more comfortable life. But now that's she's looking to use it as a way to get my brother's in, that option is off the table, at least until I return to Australia full time.
  • 21
    3bag NTA It may seem to them that you're being unkind, but you're very aware of their shortcomings.
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    CptDevlin61 Original Poster's Reply I don't really care what my brother's think, but I do feel bad for my nieces and nephews. They're innocent in all of this and they can't all share bedrooms forever. Thus why I think I might be the a- hole.
  • 23
    jleek9 NTA- stay for free?!! Thats way too big of an ask. They should be embarrassed. Just sell it.
  • 24
    CptDevlin61 Original Poster's Reply I won't be selling, I want to live inu home when I do eventually return full time. The general consensus seems to be to get an agent to rent out and manage the house while I'm gone and I'm inclined to agree.
  • 25
    PurplePufferPea That's good, but then the question is, how long can the live there before you realize AND how much damage can they do in that time?...
  • 26
    CptDevlin61 Original Poster's Reply I'm going to rent it out through an agency. They can handle everything while I'm away. Less stress for me.
  • 27
    monagr What even is an ute?... NTA obviously. You offered it to your mother. Siblings can figure out their own accommodation
  • 28
    CptDevlin61 Original Poster's Reply Ute is Australian slang for a pick up truck. Their original name was Utility Vehicle.
  • 29
    Interesting-Lie-8942 INFO Why don't you trust them?
  • 30
    CptDevlin61 Original Poster's Reply - Every home they've had that I ever visited was always filthy. They never look after where their live, dog urine stains on rugs, holes in walls (that was only with my older brother), moldy bathrooms and so much more.
  • 31
    Bebotronsote NTA but... Have you considered renting it to them??? Passive income for you, contractual obligations for them (that hopefully protect you against any concerns you may have). Seems like a win-win
  • 32
    CptDevlin61 Original Poster's Reply They made it clear with their initial hints that they expect to be able to live in my home rent free so they can "save up to buy their own home".

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