Man sends mail to friend's address for 7 months, gets annoyed when told he has 2 weeks to change it: 'I'm writing return to sender on everything going forward'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Apr 17, 2026 1:15 PM EDT

Friends should be here to help, but not to take over all your life admin.

Most of us have, at some point or another, experienced the disappointment that is a friend who is not willing to give us the support that we need from them. Some people just do not have the capacity to do the occasionally inconvenient stuff that being a friend entails. However, there is a difference between being kind and being a doormat. You can also be a bad friend when you expect far too much from somebody, or use them for your benefit.

A friendship where you are the person who is being given an unfair amount of responsibility can be difficult to navigate. You may feel that you have no choice but to grin and bear it, as a friend like this will often justify their actions by saying that they are going through a hard time. Still, boundaries are important, and the situation is only likely to get worse if you do not execute some. There can come a point where being used goes from a minor inconvenience to something that completely takes over your life in the worst way. It's no way to live.

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  • Cheezburger Image 10624954112
    via Alexander Grey

    An assorted pile of different colored envelopes and papers

  • In this story, a man agreed to get his friend's mail sent to his address, as he was between homes and was going through a bit of a difficult time. While he initially had no problem with the arrangement, things changed when it continued for seven months, and his friend kept getting letters and packages delivered to him.

    Because of this, he decided to give an ultimatum that he change his mailing address, or he would start labelling all of his mail as return to sender. His friend got offended, as did some of their mutual acquaintances. He wanted to know if he was in the wrong.

  • Am I wrong for telling my friend he can't use my address anymore and returning his mail to sender?

    My buddy (26M) asked if he could use my address while he was in between places last year. I said yeah fine, figured it'd be like a few letters for a couple weeks.
    via HedgehogFew4153
  • Its now been almost 7 months and I'm getting mail for him constantly. Like not just regular mail, I'm talking a debt letter, his car insurance renewal, multiple packages, even a gym membership thing. My building has a small shared mailbox and half the time his stuff is clogging it up and I miss my own stuff.
    via HedgehogFew4153
  • A man reaches into one of many small white mailboxes against a wall
    via Natalia Blauth (Unsplash+)

    A man reaches into one of many small white mailboxes against a wall

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I mentioned it twice and both times he said he'd sort it out "soon." I wasn't really trying to make it a big thing but I was just sitting on my couch playing on my phone when I got a notification from him for a package too big for the mailbox sitting at my door and it was just a bunch of random clothes he ordered. I kinda snapped a bit at that point.
    via HedgehogFew4153
  • Told him he has 2 weeks to update his addresses everywhere or I'm writing return to sender on everything going forward. He called me unsupportive and said he's going through a lot. Now 2 of his other friends are messaging me saying I was too harsh about it.
    via HedgehogFew4153
  • Like I get that he's struggling but its been 7 months and he's ordering stuff to my address so how bad can it really be. AITA?
    via HedgehogFew4153
  • A man reaches into one of many white mailboxes against a wall
    via Natalia Blauth (Unsplash+)

    A man reaches into one of many white mailboxes against a wall

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Outside-Signature600 Let him transfer his mail to one of those two friends homes. Problem solved.
    via Outside-Signature600
  • Treefrog_Ninja "I've been supportive. The straws have broken the camel's back, and it's time for someone else to be supportive. How about your address for a while?"
    via Treefrog_Ninja
  • Dealer Alarmed3632 Now 2 of his other friends are messaging me saying I was too harsh about it. Looks like 2 people just volunteered to take over! NTA.
    via DealerAlarmed3632
  • Complex-Kiwis NTA. There are serious legal implications to someone using your address as their permanent residence when they don't live there. In some jurisdictions, this could be used to establish residency, making it harder for you to get him out if he ever decides to just show up.
    via Complex-Kiwis
  • Kimmm711b NTA Go to the post office & redirect his mail to these "friends" giving you cr p about it!
    via Kimmm711b
  • Ilovemyhousepanthers By accepting his mail, you are letting him establish residency. NTJ.
    via Ilovemyhousepanthers
  • Sink Single If he is struggling so much maybe he should stop buying sh.
    via Sink_Single
  • NotYourCantaloupe48 HE can RENT a mailbox for that sort of thing. No need to burden you with managing his correspondence and delivery and debt and obligation that his packages reach him. NOPE. His friends can step up now.
    via NotYourCantaloupe48
  • Sufficient Teach_137 If he gets mail sent there he could claim he lives there. Be careful.
    via Sufficient_Teach_137
  • OfficeZealousideal76 NTA and be careful about this person establishing residency at your address i.e., no "sleep-overs" or storing belongings at your place.
    via OfficeZealousideal76
  • Dizzy-Particular-886 NTA. Updating an address doesn't take 7 months, especially for inportant stuff like insurance, debt, or membership.
    via Dizzy-Particular-886
  • GibsonGirl55 Now 2 of his other friends are messaging me saying I was too harsh about it. Your pal now has two volunteers to receive his mail and packages. NTJ
    via GibsonGirl55
  • BeautifulElodie2428 NTAH. 7 months is long enough. He hasn't had to pay for a PO Box so he can stop complaining and get it fixed. Block his friends. Tell them they're welcome to have his mail come to their address if they're so interested in his business and then block them.
    via BeautifulElodie2428

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house mailbox friends address mail entitled people
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