Roommate Gets Mad When He Finds Out That Other Roommate Owns The House

About a year ago, OP inherited a house from their father after the passing of their last grandparent. Originally, OP had been diligently saving for a significant down payment, aiming for at least 50%, to secure a lower monthly mortgage payment and have extra funds for travel. However, a different opportunity arose when their father, uninterested in moving into the inherited house, offered to sell it to OP at a slightly below-market rate. The one condition was that, eventually, he and OP’s stepmother could inhabit the basement apartment. Seeing their respectful and non-intrusive nature, OP agreed to this arrangement, making a 60% down payment, financing the rest, and moving in.

Recently, OP contemplated renting out the finished basement apartment, equipped with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room, and a small kitchenette with a sink, fridge, and microwave. When a friend mentioned that his brother, a new teacher with limited income, was relocating to OP’s city and needed an affordable place to live, OP offered the basement for well below market rate, charging $650, inclusive of utilities. He agreed and signed a year-long lease. However, a few days ago, he unexpectedly asked if he could pay the landlord directly instead of giving OP rent money. When OP clarified that they were the owner, not the landlord, the roommate accused OP of lying and taking advantage of him. Despite explaining that he was getting an affordable, quiet living space with full amenities, the roommate stormed off and has been avoiding OP ever since. Friends and family are divided on whether OP was wrong to have their roommate cover $650 of their $775 monthly mortgage.