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Roommate Conflict Over Loan: Reddit User Seeks Advice

A Reddit user recently recounted a situation involving a small debt to his roommate, which has escalated into a dispute over the amount owed. The user’s initial $11 debt has turned into a demand for double the repayment without prior agreement.

In a post on the Reddit forum titled “Am I the A——,” the 20-year-old detailed the background of the loan. He explained that his 17-year-old roommate provided him with toiletries valued at $11, which they agreed upon together.

After receiving the items, the user attempted to repay his roommate immediately through a digital payment service. However, his roommate indicated that he did not want the funds right away due to an issue with his digital account. The user believed that this delay was reasonable, expressing that he would have the money available soon since he gets paid on Saturdays.

Things took a turn when the roommate later demanded the amount owed and insisted that, because the user had not paid the money at the moment requested, he now owed him double. The OP expressed his frustration at this new demand, pointing out that a clear deadline would have made the situation different. He also noted his guilt for spending the $11 that he initially intended to pay back.

“I would have had no problem paying double if I had been given a ‘have [the money] by this time’ date,” the user stated, emphasizing that the change in repayment terms was imposed without prior discussion. He concluded his post by asking the Reddit community if he was in the wrong.

Responses from fellow Reddit users largely supported the OP, indicating that he should not feel guilty for not having the cash at the time it was requested, particularly since he had made several attempts to return the borrowed amount. One comment underscored this perspective, stating, “Yeah NTA [not the a——]. Maybe it’s because he’s young, but that’s not how loaning money out works lol—you still only owe him $11.”

However, some participants in the thread argued that the OP should not have used money that was owed, regardless of the timeline of repayment. One user critiqued the OP for spending the money, stating, “Yesterday you spent his money and yesterday he wanted it. If you were [holding] it for him, then you shouldn’t have spent it.”

Others suggested that the OP could take this experience as a learning opportunity, cautioning against borrowing from someone who complicates the repayment process.

This scenario highlights the complexities of lending among peers, particularly in shared living situations. As illustrated by the differing opinions within the Reddit community, issues of fairness, timing, and expectations in financial agreements can lead to misunderstandings and disputes.

Source
people.com