ADVERTISEMENT

Being invited into a friend’s home can feel like a huge honor. They’re opening up their humble abode to you, and you have the opportunity to get an intimate peek into their life. They might have family photos on the walls, artwork from childhood on the fridge and dozens of books that mean the world to them lining the shelves.

But visiting someone else’s house can backfire when you start to notice things that terrify you. Redditors have recently been discussing some of the worst things that you could possibly find in someone else’s home, so we’ve gathered the biggest red flags below. Enjoy reading through, and be sure to upvote the things that would send you running for the hills!

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ If they have children, but you see no sign of a child in the home outside of their bedroom.

Edit: I do not mean the home is trashed. I mean you see no photos, no coats, shoes, toys anything indicating a child lives there too. For example I tidy up every night, but you’ll still see my toddlers shoes by the door and his little paw patrol table in the living room. & photos around the house of him of course

Another edit: I am not going back and fourth with you sad beige parents that live for aesthetics. If you don’t get it I’m not explaining it.

DontWantNoCornbreadd , Jelena Mirkovic/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
101points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Large political flags on the wall. I don't care what your political affiliations are, if you are that obsessed with it that you feel the need to hang a huge flag in your living room to announce them, that's a no from me.

NoFunction_ , skytheanimalman/reddit Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
96points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#3

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ House made of sweets and gingerbread. Boiling cauldron over chimney fire.

azinize , probablyA_cat/reddit Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
96points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ I did some real estate photography on a home.

It was a Mass State Trooper. It was disturbing: A nice neighborhood, a nice home, clean and well maintained. Kids and wife photos decorating the walls and end tables. But I started noticing holes punched into walls (some of them plastered and repaired, some of them "fresh". Doors that had been splintered at the bottom from being kicked in. A couple doors that had padlocks on them that had been ripped out. There were just signs of rage everywhere I looked. It was disturbing and I felt bad for the family.

parkerjh , Lujia Zhang/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
90points
Add photo comments
POST
shock2ya avatar
Schmebulock
Schmebulock
Community Member
11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They need way better screening and treatment of police for mental health issues.

Vote comment up
38
38points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ No hand soap in the bathroom.

Myctic_Darling , Daiga Ellaby/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
86points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ When their pets water bowls are empty. Monsters.

LoJellythings , tps12/flickr Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
82points
Add photo comments
POST
shannonferguson avatar
Shannimal
Shannimal
Community Member
12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gah. Remi drinks her bowl down and doesn't let me know, so it might be dry for a bit until I notice. She also isn't running any marathons, so she's fine.

Vote comment up
24
24points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ I change the bathroom towels in our guest bathroom every Friday. One Friday I told my son to go wipe up the urine he left on the seat & floor and then watched this imposter of my DNA, wipe the urine with a hand towel and hang it back up, in front of me. I've never wanted to disown a relative more in my life.

slightlydramatic , Daiga Ellaby/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
81points
Add photo comments
POST
daqadoodles_1 avatar
Debbie
Debbie
Community Member
21 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a parent, this made me smile, not because of what he did ofcourse. But sometimes we forget that we never taught them how to do something. It kinda depends on his age though. At a certain age you could expect them to figure out to use toilet paper for that. But at other ages I am unfortunately not surprised that they do not think about what to use to wipe something up. My kids had the habit of taking a clean dishtowel (theedoek) from the cupboard to clean up spills. Instead of a rag (doekje) or a towel that was in use/more ready for a round of laundry. On one hand, ok, you are cleaning it up, but aaargh!

Vote comment up
21
21points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ This extreme beigeness. Especially if there are kids. I saw videos of parents painting colorful toys beige. It's just sad.

rusty_trashcan_210 , Gláuber Sampaio/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
81points
Add photo comments
POST
rachaelmccann avatar
Child of the Stars
Child of the Stars
Community Member
21 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand this at all. It feels so impersonal. I dislike overly matched and perfectly decorated houses too. Being in someone's home should tell you who they are, but an overly-curated home always makes me feel like they're trying to hide themselves.

Vote comment up
28
28points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Crosses / jesus s**t everywhere.

NaiveOpening7376 , Midnight Believe/flickr Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
77points
Add photo comments
POST
blue1steven avatar
Donkey boi
Donkey boi
Community Member
12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For clarity, as this one seems to be dividing, I read this as; 'People with a LOT of religious iconography' I don't think they mean just a crucifix or two, but like, a cross in every room, or a shrine type setup.

Vote comment up
17
17points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Dirty litter boxes if they have cats, and I mean filthy.

Ophede , B****Bussy/reddit Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
75points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ I don’t know if I’d go as far as “red flag”, but people who have zero books in their home give me pause.

notcool_neverwas , Francesca Tosolini/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
73points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Really gnarly aquarium. If you’re gonna trap fish in a box for your personal pleasure, keep that s**t pristine.

NeitherWait5587 , Zealousideal_Event45/reddit Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
71points
Add photo comments
POST
glennschroeder avatar
Papa
Papa
Community Member
10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pristine aquariums are not healthy environments for the fish. Much of that gunk is bacteria that takes the ammonia secreted by the fish and breaks it down into less toxic substances. One of the biggest mistakes new fish keepers make is to do regular deep cleaning. Regarding the picture here, that's just a buildup of algae on the glass. While it may be unsightly, it is not unhealthy for the fish.

Vote comment up
24
24points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

My bicycle that I reported stolen 2 weeks ago. Big Red Flag.

ianmoone1102 Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
71points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

I was looking at an apartment to rent in a very liberal part of the USA. Place was great! I’d have a huge windowed area and lots of nice amenities like a fireplace. I went to the other part of the place where the landlord lived. Above *his* fireplace was a portrait. A portrait of Nathan Bedford Forrest. Founder of the KKK. I noped right the f**k out of there.

_CMDR_ Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
64points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#15

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Trashy neighbor's dog died in a kennel, probably from starvation.

They ignored the body until well after rigor set in, and then they couldn't get it out of the cage because the limbs wouldn't bend. So they just left it in there, in the house, surrounded by piles of garbage

Their 10-year-old eventually asked other neighborhood adults for help because the parents wouldn't do anything about it.

So... dead dog rotting in a cage is my red flag.

BeNice-ThisTime , Sarah Leo/flickr Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
58points
Add photo comments
POST
gotham-city avatar
Smeghead Tribble Down Under
Smeghead Tribble Down Under
Community Member
22 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMFG >.< I'd have had the cops, RSPCA, and anyone else I could think of on their fkn doorstep.

Vote comment up
41
41points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ No sheets on their bed but clearly they sleep on it.

badcatgarfield , jonathan fisher/flickr Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
57points
Add photo comments
POST
stefanscheiben avatar
The Scout
The Scout
Community Member
19 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a pinch, I have sometimes slept in a duvet cover without putting a sheet on. But directly on the mattress would be a big no for me.

Vote comment up
13
13points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ When they let their pets poop and pee in the house. Bonus if they let their kid sleep in a room that is essentially a massive litter box.

CamoWeddingDress , Sandra Seitamaa/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
55points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ When they don't do basic preparation for a preplanned guest coming over. For example, there's no toilet paper, they don't offer you anything to drink, house is really messy.

AriasK , Ivan Radic/flickr Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
51points
Add photo comments
POST
lil-lauzie-10 avatar
The Doom Song
The Doom Song
Community Member
22 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First thing I do when I know I'm having people over is clean the toilet and make sure there's enough TP

Vote comment up
23
23points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Live laugh love.

dewdropcat , albertpullinger/reddit Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
48points
Add photo comments
POST
philmusselwhite avatar
ucp
ucp
Community Member
22 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More writing on the walls than in books? Massive red flag.

Vote comment up
19
19points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Growing up my mom always told me if I saw a gun in someone's home to politely leave and call her and that she'd pick me up. How to tell in one quick story that someone was raised outside of the United States. I still get a jolt when I see a rifle in someone's house, I understand that there is responsible gun owners but I am not fond of being near weapons even when properly stored.

teachmeyourstory Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
46points
Add photo comments
POST
ritabenko_1 avatar
Fellfromthemoon
Fellfromthemoon
Community Member
19 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you see it then it's probably not properly stored, in a closed cabinet.

Vote comment up
42
42points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Dish rack was in the sink and had black mold on it, they put clean dishes on it to dry i was horrified they also just put water in the baby bottles and let them soak and used them. Never actually washing the bottles HORRIFIED.

sorrytooffnd , Simon Job/flickr Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
45points
Add photo comments
POST
sparklystuffbyrae avatar
Lyoness
Lyoness
Community Member
9 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's frightening, especially for the baby. I really, really hope OP was able to say something.

Vote comment up
6
6points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#22

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ A collection of young women's ID cards.

FatFuckinPieceOfShit , Victoria Romulo/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
43points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ When they use the sofa as a changing table with no blanket or anything on it. I went to someone's house and the kid had a blow out. The mom just put the baby with poopy diaper on the sofa to change her and looked at me when my jaw hit the floor and said "What's the big deal? It's just poop!" I never went there again.

It also explains why they purchased a brown sofa. 🤢.

Hangrycouchpotato , Getty Images/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
41points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Books on Dianetics

My phone kept changing that to diabetics.

eatmeat2016 Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
39points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

We were looking at a litter of German Shepherd puppies. Very large house, lots of land. Looked rather posh.

The mum and pups were in the kitchen. Dog poo, puddles of urine everywhere.

I managed to step in 💩

Owner said ‘oh sorry! Give me your boot and I’ll clean it’.

I assumed she had an outside tap? Oh no…she took it to the kitchen sink and washed it there.

We declined a cup of tea.

GingerbreadMary Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
38points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#26

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ One major red flag is if their home feels too sterile or empty—like they don’t actually live there. Also, lots of signs of anger, like holes in the walls, can be concerning!

RosyRiddle86 , Steven Ungermann/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
36points
Add photo comments
POST
skipscales avatar
Jay Scales
Jay Scales
Community Member
15 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Homes that are SO tidy & sterile that I feel I'm making a mess just by breathing!

Vote comment up
9
9points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ They had only one kitchen cloth. Just that ONE. Used for wiping hands, wiping the counter, wiping the dishes, and wiping the microwave/stove after cooking.

Successful_Ranger_19 , Faruk Tokluoğlu/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
34points
Add photo comments
POST
beab_ avatar
Bat cat in a hat
Bat cat in a hat
Community Member
16 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still have to colour code the kitchen cloths or my partner would use the same one for drying hands and face, the dishes, wiping floors, cleaning the cat litter box, alternative currency and summoning spirits

Vote comment up
10
10points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Roaches and people who smoke cigarettes inside. Heretics.

No_buddy_cares Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
34points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

A thousand bottles of baby oil.

TrionCube Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
32points
Add photo comments
POST
avalemar avatar
Ava Lemar
Ava Lemar
Community Member
21 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like someone went to an R Kelly or P Diddy soiree

Vote comment up
10
10points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ There was a guy who posted on r/malelivingspace who has 3 ‘obey’ prints above his bed.

lizabeth478 , highlife_/reddit Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
31points
Add photo comments
POST
avalemar avatar
Ava Lemar
Ava Lemar
Community Member
21 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, at least you know what you are in for early on in the relationship.

Vote comment up
14
14points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Cr*ck pipe, cats but no litter box, liquor bottles are the only decoration you can find, barely any furniture.

Minute_Marzipan4597 , Christian Lue/unsplash Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
28points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ No furniture, black garbage bags as window curtains, and a box spring with no sheets just a dirty blanket..

Ill-Profession8600 , Shonduras/youtube Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
26points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

Carpet in the bathroom..

DrunkRespondent Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
26points
Add photo comments
POST
sparklystuffbyrae avatar
Lyoness
Lyoness
Community Member
9 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately this is a thing in some older houses and the people living there either can't afford or don't know how to remove it. Agreed it's gross but I don't know I'd call it a red flag. Just MO.

Vote comment up
7
7points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

A dog with a shock collar.

Razorback_Ryan Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
26points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ Roaches. My in laws place is full of roaches and they act like it's no big deal.

buoyant_nomad , Domas Mituzas/flickr Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
23points
Add photo comments
POST
jasondab_1 avatar
JD
JD
Community Member
11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends. You can do everything right and still have roaches. Especially if you live in an apartment building or close to others with a roach infestation. My dorm in college had roaches the second semester because they were building a sports complex 30 feet away. All the roaches living in the field came to the dorms.

Vote comment up
10
10points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#36

Bare mattress on the floor. No duvet cover or pillow cases. Crusty hand towels that haven’t been changed in days or weeks.

TartGoji Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
22points
Add photo comments
POST
fortnitesuxsxd avatar
"Disembodied voice"
"Disembodied voice"
Community Member
12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Duvet cover is too much of a pain, I have a sheet between me and the blanket anyway

Vote comment up
4
4points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

40 Unhinged Things One May See In A Home And Think, ‘Oh No, Not Today’ One of my best friends from middle school invited me to spend the night one weekend and their house was so unbelievably *nasty*. It was more than just trash and dirty clothes all over the place. My friend’s older sister had a baby and they even had dirty diapers and food scraps throughout their apartment. Aside from some odd behavior from their mom who was gone pretty much the whole time we were there. We went swimming in their apartment pool that same weekend and my friend told me that her mom actually had a d**g problem and she sometimes just wouldn’t see her for days at a time. So now I think any unusual amount of trash could indicate a serious issue someone there must really be going through something in order for their house to be looking like *that*.

ABluntForcedDisTrama , slothliketendencies/reddit Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
21points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Hoarders.

Strange-Catch6862 Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
21points
Add photo comments
POST
coreypichler avatar
CP
CP
Community Member
10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a mental disorder. In reality every one of these problems in this list is mental.

Vote comment up
8
8points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Toilet paper roll facing in the wrong direction.

txlady100 Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
21points
Add photo comments
POST
sarah_a_tate avatar
Upstaged75
Upstaged75
Community Member
13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any time my dad argues that there is no "right" way to hang toilet paper I show him a picture of the original patent for it. He's a patent attorney. :)

Vote comment up
15
15points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Crushed prescription pills lying all over the living room coffee table.

Slingblade1170 Report

Vote arrow up
Vote arrow down
19points
Add photo comments
POST
shock2ya avatar
Schmebulock
Schmebulock
Community Member
11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are so many of these people hanging out in crack houses?

Vote comment up
32
32points
Vote comment down
reply

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!