An aunt is facing backlash from her brother and sister-in-law after offering her niece a place to stay — though she believes she stepped in for the right reasons.
In a post on Reddit’s AITA forum, the woman said her 20-year-old niece, Charlotte, called a few months ago and said she’d been told to leave home following an argument with her mother. According to Charlotte, the conflict started when her parents raised her rent by $300 on top of the $500 a month she was already paying.
The aunt added that Charlotte’s siblings aren’t required to pay anything to live at home.
Before agreeing, the aunt said she contacted Charlotte’s parents to hear their side. Her brother insisted she send Charlotte back, claiming that “his wife didn’t mean it when she [told] Charlotte to get out.”
He later confirmed they had asked for more money, arguing it made sense because Charlotte has a job. He also said their car insurance premiums had increased after Charlotte was involved in a minor accident. The aunt, however, felt that reasoning didn’t hold up, noting that other siblings had also been in accidents without facing similar consequences.
Ultimately, the aunt told Charlotte she could move in with her and her daughters. She then helped Charlotte pack her belongings and get settled.
Once Charlotte arrived, the aunt helped her open a bank account in her own name. She also loaned her money to purchase a new car and supported her in enrolling at community college, where Charlotte is studying early childhood education. Charlotte also teaches a weekly mommy-and-me class and does babysitting work.
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The aunt said she still expects Charlotte to contribute financially — but on different terms. Instead of $500 a month, Charlotte pays $250 in rent, which the aunt says is deposited into an account that’s being “saved and invested for her.” Charlotte also helps cover groceries, insurance, and gas, and she’s working on repaying the $4,500 car loan.
Charlotte remains in touch with her siblings and, according to her aunt, has been focused on learning how to budget while adjusting to her new living situation.
But Charlotte’s parents are angry. The aunt said they’re “furious” that she helped their daughter move out over rent — and they argue the aunt is essentially charging Charlotte too. Now the woman is questioning whether she overstepped by intervening.
In the comments, many readers supported her decision and criticized Charlotte’s parents’ approach.
“Paying rent at a cheaper rate with cheaper overheads, cash coming back to her, a loan and learning a life skill in budgeting? You’re a godsend!” one person wrote. “NTA. Her parents are just pissed that you’re showing them up.”
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Another commenter argued that the aunt’s setup appeared more focused on Charlotte’s stability and long-term benefit than her parents’ demands. They also said Charlotte is fortunate to have someone helping her build independence without being blindsided by sudden changes.
One person added that Charlotte was likely going to have to leave home sooner or later, and that unfair or unpredictable rent expectations can push young adults into moving out faster than planned. They encouraged the aunt to keep supporting Charlotte’s growth while giving her room to become more self-sufficient — and suggested her parents may simply be upset at losing control.
