Roommate turns shared apartment into a yoga studio to make extra money, leaving her roommate unable to use the living room despite paying half the rent: ‘It’s getting annoying'

Cata Holmes • Writer

Oct 29, 2026 1:45 PM EDT

A roommate decided to use their shared living room as a yoga studio three nights a week to make some extra money, leaving the other roommate with no space to use it and no chance to talk about it.

Is it fair to turn a shared living room into a business when your roommate pays half the rent?

Living with a roommate can get complicated when you don't respect the other person's privacy and boundaries. I know how this works because I have one, and we have an awesome relationship. But it wasn't always fun: we had to get to know each other to build a strong bond when it comes to sharing this apartment. Over time, I realized that to have a roommate who's a friend, or at least someone you can get along with, respect is the most important ingredient. Otherwise, it won't work.

If my roommate wanted to make some extra cash by doing some yoga classes at home… I would mind if it got out of control, like it's happening in the story. Three nights a week of paid yoga classes and my living room full of yoga mats like a studio- that's a whole other game because it doesn't let me use the house I'm paying for. It's not fair for the other roommate to deal with that, especially since she's not getting any money out of this.

I'm not saying that the other roommate has to share the money, but some consideration would be nice. I don't think she realizes how much space she's using for her yoga classes, and how much it forces the other roommate to stay locked in her room because she can't get out… Sometimes having a business doesn't align with living with a roommate.

*Yoga students attending a paid group class in a shared apartment living room.*
*Stock photography for depiction only.*

WIBTA if I told my roommate she can't run her yoga classes in our living room anymore?

Started a little yoga business on the side? Not bad for one night a week

My roommate started teaching yoga to a few people she knows in our apartment. At first it was just once a week, which I honestly didn't mind.

Taking up too much space in one shared living room is a lot, especially when it's full of yoga mats and strangers!

But now she's doing classes three evenings in a row, and our living room basically turns into a yoga studio. I can't really use it or even just chill on the couch while they're there, which is getting pretty annoying considering we split the rent 50/50.

It's not about the money… It's about how the other roommate wants to use her living room!

I brought it up and she said the classes help her pay her half of the rent. She even offered to let me join for free. I appreciate the offer but I don't exactly want to do yoga. I just want to use my own living room.

Both need to sit down and talk… the yoga classes are getting out of hand

I get that she's trying to make some extra money and I don't want to mess that up for her. But I also never agreed to having paying customers in our shared space multiple nights a week.

WIBTA if I told her she needs to find somewhere else to teach?

*A yoga instructor practicing poses in her apartment living room.*
*Representative only.*

Yoga is a great activity, and having it as a side gig is awesome. Actually, I have a lot of friends who are yoga teachers and teach classes on the side to make some money. They have full-time jobs and still enjoy doing and teaching yoga. But they don't do it at home because they know it takes a lot of space and is uncomfortable for the rest of the people they live with. So, they do it in public parks! And that's a good idea for the roommate! Since she's doing yoga multiple nights a week, she might want to do it in a public setting so nobody gets annoyed. Before you say anything: no, winter isn't a problem unless there's snow. But if that's not the case, then they should be fine!

Labrea818 If both of you are on the lease, you both get sued if someone gets injured. It's a liability. I'm sure the landlord would agree.

nursepenguin36 I'd start hanging out in the living room during her classes. "Sorry don't mind me watching tv in the corner over here. Great form Alicia." Sorry but she can't monopolize shared spaces. She needs to find a park or something to do this sit in. A lot of bars and sit will also host yoga night in an effort to draw crowds.

emiking Is she insured? Pretty sure no.... I would absolutely be looking for a new apartment. She isn't going to respond well any way you put it. Good news is, if she makes things ugly, you can report her for the business and the taxes I'm sure she isn't paying.

Harlequins-Joker NTA... there's also a huge liability concern if one of her students gets injured

Football-Man-1889 I would just use the lounge while they're all in there. TV on, eating, drinking, the whole nine yards! Make sure you're seated and comfortable before she starts and be firm that you're not moving because you're paying your share...

Lighthouse_on_Mars She can literally rent her room at the local community center for anywhere from 10 to $20. No, she not should not be running a business out of her apartment that she shares with another person

*A group of paying clients attending a yoga class.*
*Models for explanatory purposes only.*

Sufficient_Song3387 No. She can't run a business out of your apartment. You could get kicked out but, more importantly, sued if there is an injury.

RevolutionaryCare 175 Turning a living space in a living room in an apartment into a yoga studio likely violates the lease. Check that first. If it doesn't then your roommate needs to pay more than 50 percent of the rent.

Ok_Function2282 She's running an illegal business that I guarantee violates your lease, and she is not insured for. Legal liability on top of legal liability on top of legal liability. F. That.

ItalianSeasoningOnly NTA - your lease might also include some language about not running a business out of the apartment. It could get both of you kicked out if your LL gets wind of it.

JCBashBash YWNBTA to firmly put your foot down. Because she is monopolizing the common space, and also putting you in a bad position if one of her clients is sick or has some distress in the apartment.

Sensitive-Club-6427 ΝΤΑ It would be generous of you (but not required) to allow her to teach at the apartment ONCE in a week. Very generous.

His_GoddessLove That's a liability on everyone on the lease. Running an illegal business out of your apartment, probably isn't the best idea. I understand wanting to make some extra money and all. But yoga places have insurance for liabilities and things.... Y'all do not have that in your rented apartment.

MaryVonDerInsel NTA just go hang out on the couch and switch on the tv. The problem will solve itself immediately.

Living with a roommate requires boundaries and compromises to maintain a good coexistence and a pleasant shared living space. Understanding the other person's need for privacy is fundamental, and going to yoga classes most nights of the week is a bit much right now. They need to sit down and talk about boundaries and mutual respect, and I'm sure they will find a solution. Maybe use the home to host yoga classes once a week, then look for another space… Anyway, there're multiple ways they can fix this without turning the apartment into a yoga studio full of strangers.

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.