In a viral post shared in Reddit’s Am I The ** group, which can be seen here, user Historical-Joke9732 explained he had four roommates with lease agreements and security deposits, although they had been recommended by friends and family.

The user explained that he would be taking a new job in a different city in the new year and that he offered a renting couple the chance to take over the basement suite for a bit more money.

If the couple had taken the homeowner up on the offer, he claimed the pair would have gotten a massive bedroom upgrade as well as a private living room, bathroom and kitchen.

The couple agreed and let the homeowner know they would be willing to sign a one-year lease.

But problems emerged when the two single renters asked if they could turn the now-vacant master bedroom into an office. The homeowner agreed, but said they would have to cover the cost of the room.

Jeff Djevdet, a property expert at the U.K.-based Speed Property Buyers, told Newsweek: “Firstly, massive congrats on setting the arrangement up properly, with a lease agreement, deposit, and rent in advance.

“I have seen informal arrangements with friends, or friends of friends go wrong in a big way with the owner losing out to the tune of thousands. At least that hasn’t happened here, but you know, if you hadn’t set it up well, I bet it would be. Bullet dodged.”

According to iPropertyManagement, there were more than 44 million renters in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2021.

The Reddit user continued: “They think I am being unreasonable. Since I will be making more money off the couple they think I should keep their rent the same and let them have the room for free.

“I offered it to them for 80 percent of what I as getting before. They called me a selfish ** for taking all their money. Even if they took the deal they would still be paying less than market value for a single room in our city.

“It turned into a huge fight with the people who referred them to me calling me a greedy ** for trying to suck money out of their friends.

“I don’t need to deal with any of this. I found a property investor who was willing to buy my house and honor my current leases including the new one for the couple.

“Unfortunately for the other two renters their leases are up in February and I imagine that the rents will be going up a fair bit. But that isn’t my problem anymore.

“So now everyone they know is angry with me because these two people will most likely have to move into a c******* living situation.”

Online Support

The post has attracted 11,000 upvotes since it was shared on December 11, with many Reddit users praising the man’s decision.

Reddit user SecretJealous4342, whose comment was upvoted 16,100 times, said: “NTA (not the **). If you weren’t going to be there to take care of the house you would have to pay someone to do it. This seems like the right decision for you. They below their sweet deal by being greedy themselves.”

RevolutionaryCow7961 added: “They acted like ***, now they pay the price. Saves you a lot of headaches.”

Annoyingusername99 commented: “NTA. Do you think they’d still be an ** to you if you had rented that master suite out to someone else?

“Screw them and everyone who agrees with them. They are greedy people wanting something for free (which is taking money from you) when they’re already getting an awesome deal. Do what benefits you. Sell away.”

Djevdet added: “The tenants are trying to use emotional blackmail on you, they should understand that if the room could be let, then that is the figure it’s worth, and giving it to them for nothing is simply a gift. Why would you do that? If your mortgage went higher or there was a maintenance issue to pay for, would they offer you an increased rent to help? Thought not.

“I think that selling the property is quite an extreme solution but one that could make sense if the market is strong in your city, it isn’t your concern about what happens next, selling is your prerogative.

“Do check the tax liabilities first though, you might be classed as a business and pay a chunk on any profits.

“You shouldn’t feel bad and need to look after your own interests which is exactly what the tenants are trying to do for themselves.”