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Woman Decides To Move Out After Roommates Find Out Her Salary: “Been Struggling To Pay Rent”
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Woman Decides To Move Out After Roommates Find Out Her Salary: “Been Struggling To Pay Rent”

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One thing I do not miss from my early twenties is living with roommates. I had a great time in college sharing an apartment with some of my closest friends, and the social aspect of co-living was a huge benefit at the time. But there’s something so special about being able to decorate your home exactly how you like it and never waking up to mysterious messes that were made while you were sleeping. 

However, one woman had no plans to move away from her roommates after finishing her medical residency because she was perfectly happy with the arrangement. Until it all blew up when her roommates figured out how much she was earning. Below, you’ll find a story that she recently posted on the AITAH subreddit, as well as some of the replies invested readers shared.

RELATED:

    Living with roommates is a great way to find affordable housing

    Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual image)

    But when one woman’s roommates found out how much money she was making, her arrangement quickly went awry

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    Image credits: Mikhail Nilov (not the actual image)

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    Image credits: Prostock-studio (not the actual image)

    After talking things through with her roommates, the doctor shared an update on the situation

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    Image credits: Mikhail Nilov (not the actual image)

    Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual image)

    Image credits: Unable-String-6735

    Nearly one third of adults living in the United States have at least one roommate

    Living with a roommate is a quintessential experience that every young person should have. It teaches you how to share, how to coexist with another person, how to handle conflicts that pop up between roommates and, perhaps, the value of having your own space when you finally get to move out. And while most of us experience co-living for the first time when we move away for college, many adults continue to live with roommates long after they’ve graduated.

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    According to the Pew Research Center, almost one third of adults in the United States currently live with at least one other roommate. And of the 79 million adults who live in shared households, approximately 25 million own or rent out the space that they currently live in.

    But even though having roommates is incredibly common, especially in large cities where the cost of living is even higher than the rest of the country, roommate etiquette is not black and white. A 2024 survey from Apartment Advisor found that 50% of roommates prefer to split expenses through an app to make sure that all costs are divided up evenly.

    And when one roommate’s significant other is staying over often, over a third of roommates think that it’s only fair if they contribute to the cost of groceries and utilities as well. At the same time, 62.5% of tenants think that it’s best for roommates to share common grocery items, like milk and eggs, rather than having each person have to buy their own.

    Roommate etiquette is not black and white

    People also have differing opinions when it comes to how much time roommates should be spending with one another. Nearly two thirds of people living in shared households would like to hang out with their roommates a few times a week at home. But only 31% want to eat dinner with a roommate when their schedules align. And nearly half want to live with someone that they can go out with often.

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    Even if you manage to be close with your roommates, the relationship is often a bit more complicated than a simple friendship, because money is involved. Together, you all have to agree on how to divide up the cost of rent and utilities and make sure that it’s all paid on time.

    But according to Grubb Properties, there are several different ways that tenants can decide to divvy up their housing costs. One option is to split everything evenly. If all bedrooms are approximately the same size and all tenants use about the same amount of water and electricity, this might be a safe option. As long as everyone agrees that it’s fair, the even split can be great. 

    Agreeing on how to split up rent isn’t always easy

    But if you have a much smaller bedroom than your roommates, you might not be willing to shell out the same amount of money. In that case, it might be smarter to calculate exactly how much each square foot in the apartment is worth. Excluding common areas such as the kitchen and living room, renters may agree that the most fair option is to pay for exactly the amount of space that they’re occupying.       

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    Another option, that might be slightly controversial, is to divide up the costs based on each renter’s income. However, issues that might arise from this arrangement are conflicts when one person’s salary changes. If one roommate gets laid off and another receives a promotion, the whole household must agree to recalculate who pays what. It’s also possible that someone might receive a raise and withhold that information from their roommates. 

    At the end of the day, living with other adults requires making compromises and having some uncomfortable conversations, whether it be about doing the dishes in a reasonable amount of time or how much money you’re earning. We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Do you think this tenant did anything wrong? Then, if you’d like to read another Bored Panda article featuring roommate drama, look no further than right here!

    Later, the doctor shared a few more details about the home

    The vast majority of readers sided with the author, noting that her roommates aren’t entitled to know her salary

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    Poll Question

    Thanks! Check out the results:

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    Adelaide Ross

    Adelaide Ross

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

    Read less »
    Adelaide Ross

    Adelaide Ross

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

    Dominyka

    Dominyka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, crafting captivating visual content to enhance every reader's experience. Sometimes my mornings are spent diving into juicy dramas, while afternoons are all about adding extra laughs to the world by editing the funniest memes around. My favorite part of the job? Choosing the perfect images to illustrate articles. It's like imagining a story as a movie in my mind and selecting the key shots to tell the story visually.

    Read less »

    Dominyka

    Dominyka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, crafting captivating visual content to enhance every reader's experience. Sometimes my mornings are spent diving into juicy dramas, while afternoons are all about adding extra laughs to the world by editing the funniest memes around. My favorite part of the job? Choosing the perfect images to illustrate articles. It's like imagining a story as a movie in my mind and selecting the key shots to tell the story visually.

    What do you think ?
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    POST
    Elio
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP is paying the agreed upon rent for the housing situation. The roommate is not OP's dependent or significant other. If the roommate's girlfriend doesn't like helping him out with rent, she should stop. She should ask whether his financial hardships are temporary or if it is a mooching pattern.

    LB
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also OP has significant student loans and probably a lower net worth than the others, so it's a ridiculous situation no matter which way you spin it.

    Load More Replies...
    Suzie
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP's salary is irrelevant to what the rent is. They are not obligated to pay more especially when they're living in the finished attic space and not a real bedroom. The roommates financial situation doesn't make OP responsible to pick up their slack.

    michelle s
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A shared house rent per person should not be determined on how much the person is earning when everybody has a defined space and some people's areas are smaller than others! Think about commercial real estate you pay per floor area and amenities, the one doing all the complaining has the master bedroom with their girlfriend therefore there share will be expected to be higher than say an "harry potter" room for example. Not the OP but the other guy is a AH as he clearly is not living in the real world in his head yet. I bet he is closeted by his parents. Even when you move in with a partner as you are now sharing the sane space to prevent any "I bring the money to this house" discussions the fair split should be 1/2 each to the running the house be it rent/mortgage/food/utilities etc.

    Kathryn
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The couple on the master should be paying more than half since they also have a connected bathroom. How entitled.

    Aelin Wildfire
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, they're paying half of the rent as a couple: "A" and his girlfriend are two of the roommates, "D" is the third, and OP is the fourth. I don't think that half is unreasonably low... A and (let's call her) "B" are sharing one bathroom, and "D" and OP are sharing one. Is the fact that A and B are a couple really relevant?

    Load More Replies...
    michele mbennett101044@yahoo.c
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First, your income is none of thier business! Second, roomy is total a*****e for googling you and your income, then sharing it with the others. Total violation of your privacy! You "share" what is essentially a storage closet in the attic, you contribute towards utilities and food, so what's thier issue? Boo hoo 😢, greedy? YOU are being ostracized for being prudent financially while becoming a doctor, which entails amassing a huge debt? Not today Satan's Children! Shame on them! Do yourself a favor and find other accommodations, don't look back, these are not your friends. Good luck.

    Jessica Belm
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Personally, I would want a reduction in rent considering they have the master bedroom with ensuite. Why are you paying the same as them to live like harry potter?

    Yulia Yakovenko
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Op lives in a closet, while roommates have the rooms, and paying like it is a room. This tells enough about her roommates, really. Now they throwing the show, because they found another way and reason to take advantage on her ( again ) - the guilt tripping.

    Aelin Wildfire
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel sorry for A's girlfriend... Paying most of his share of the rent, on top of her own?

    Franz Buhlmann
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP should agree to help once the three roommates paid her back all the money from when she was struggling. Once the logic of the roommates argument gets flipped around to where the roommates have to pay out more, they will shut up. If that doesn't work, OP could simply tell her roommates that it isn't her fault that they were too lazy and cheap to become doctors like she did.

    Dagnirath
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know i'm in the minority here, but I've always split rent & utilities based on income. If I make $1000 in a pay period but my roommates only make $500 each, it doesn't seem fair to make them pay an even share.

    justme
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How is that fair to you though? You are being compensated for the work that you do and if you're making more money that probably means your job is harder or requires more skill than theirs. If they don't like how much they are making they need to change their situation, not expect a room mate to subsidize their poor choices. Just my opinion :)

    Load More Replies...
    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If anyone other than your bank, the IRS, or a judge asks you what you make, the answer should be "I'm not divulging that information." You can be as snarky as you wish, since this is a rude question.

    kath morgan
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Roomates are independent tenants and not a family, they’re not under any obligation to support eachother and the implication is wild. Get out from under these vultures.

    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    OP has already decided to move out when her lease expires so I have no idea why she's bleating to randoms.

    ThatG
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Which she hadn’t decided yet at the time of the original post. Only with the update.

    Load More Replies...
    Elio
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP is paying the agreed upon rent for the housing situation. The roommate is not OP's dependent or significant other. If the roommate's girlfriend doesn't like helping him out with rent, she should stop. She should ask whether his financial hardships are temporary or if it is a mooching pattern.

    LB
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also OP has significant student loans and probably a lower net worth than the others, so it's a ridiculous situation no matter which way you spin it.

    Load More Replies...
    Suzie
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP's salary is irrelevant to what the rent is. They are not obligated to pay more especially when they're living in the finished attic space and not a real bedroom. The roommates financial situation doesn't make OP responsible to pick up their slack.

    michelle s
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A shared house rent per person should not be determined on how much the person is earning when everybody has a defined space and some people's areas are smaller than others! Think about commercial real estate you pay per floor area and amenities, the one doing all the complaining has the master bedroom with their girlfriend therefore there share will be expected to be higher than say an "harry potter" room for example. Not the OP but the other guy is a AH as he clearly is not living in the real world in his head yet. I bet he is closeted by his parents. Even when you move in with a partner as you are now sharing the sane space to prevent any "I bring the money to this house" discussions the fair split should be 1/2 each to the running the house be it rent/mortgage/food/utilities etc.

    Kathryn
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The couple on the master should be paying more than half since they also have a connected bathroom. How entitled.

    Aelin Wildfire
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, they're paying half of the rent as a couple: "A" and his girlfriend are two of the roommates, "D" is the third, and OP is the fourth. I don't think that half is unreasonably low... A and (let's call her) "B" are sharing one bathroom, and "D" and OP are sharing one. Is the fact that A and B are a couple really relevant?

    Load More Replies...
    michele mbennett101044@yahoo.c
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First, your income is none of thier business! Second, roomy is total a*****e for googling you and your income, then sharing it with the others. Total violation of your privacy! You "share" what is essentially a storage closet in the attic, you contribute towards utilities and food, so what's thier issue? Boo hoo 😢, greedy? YOU are being ostracized for being prudent financially while becoming a doctor, which entails amassing a huge debt? Not today Satan's Children! Shame on them! Do yourself a favor and find other accommodations, don't look back, these are not your friends. Good luck.

    Jessica Belm
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Personally, I would want a reduction in rent considering they have the master bedroom with ensuite. Why are you paying the same as them to live like harry potter?

    Yulia Yakovenko
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Op lives in a closet, while roommates have the rooms, and paying like it is a room. This tells enough about her roommates, really. Now they throwing the show, because they found another way and reason to take advantage on her ( again ) - the guilt tripping.

    Aelin Wildfire
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel sorry for A's girlfriend... Paying most of his share of the rent, on top of her own?

    Franz Buhlmann
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP should agree to help once the three roommates paid her back all the money from when she was struggling. Once the logic of the roommates argument gets flipped around to where the roommates have to pay out more, they will shut up. If that doesn't work, OP could simply tell her roommates that it isn't her fault that they were too lazy and cheap to become doctors like she did.

    Dagnirath
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know i'm in the minority here, but I've always split rent & utilities based on income. If I make $1000 in a pay period but my roommates only make $500 each, it doesn't seem fair to make them pay an even share.

    justme
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How is that fair to you though? You are being compensated for the work that you do and if you're making more money that probably means your job is harder or requires more skill than theirs. If they don't like how much they are making they need to change their situation, not expect a room mate to subsidize their poor choices. Just my opinion :)

    Load More Replies...
    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If anyone other than your bank, the IRS, or a judge asks you what you make, the answer should be "I'm not divulging that information." You can be as snarky as you wish, since this is a rude question.

    kath morgan
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Roomates are independent tenants and not a family, they’re not under any obligation to support eachother and the implication is wild. Get out from under these vultures.

    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    OP has already decided to move out when her lease expires so I have no idea why she's bleating to randoms.

    ThatG
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Which she hadn’t decided yet at the time of the original post. Only with the update.

    Load More Replies...
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