Am I the Asshole? Derrick and Josh’s story

[Jenesis]

Since the other thread about living in a house and how to pay your share is going so well, I have another.


Josh is 17. His mom Sally and his dad were together until Josh was 8. Then his dad died. Sally and his dad were never actually married, just common law. Sally met and married Derrick when Josh was 13. Derrick moved in with Sally and Josh.

When Josh turned about 15, Derrick started to let him know that when Josh turns 18, he will have to start paying rent. Derrick has been saying this more since Josh turned 17.

What Josh found out, and what Derrick did not know, Josh’s dad solely owned the house and willed it to Josh. He takes procession when he turns 18. Now that Josh knows this, he has told Derrick and his mom that they have to start paying rent when Josh turns 18.

Derrick is of course not happy about this. He says he only told Josh that he had to start paying rent because he wanted to teach Josh responsibility. Josh countered with how is it responsible for Derrick to live somewhere rent free then?

Derrick says he was doing it to teach and that Josh is doing it out of spite. Therefore Josh is the asshole. Is he?

And for added fun, Should Josh go through with charging them rent or relent and just keep things the way there are, except they can all split on the insurance and property taxes. No mortgage though since there isn’t one anymore.

 

[poker]

Has Derek been a good stepdad, and done other things to teach Josh responsibility. Or, have they just coexisted, and one day said he was gonna start asking for rent. I’m not sure it’s derricks job to teach Josh responsibility, and ask for rent. So the backstory here is very important

 

[Scholar]

This story was on Quora. There aren't really any details beyond what Jenesis posted. Although on Quora Josh already knew that he owned the house and there wasn't a foreshadowing of rent being charged 3 years in advance as Jenesis suggested.

That said...

IMO, Derrick is the ass as he had no right to suggest that Josh pay rent as it wasn't his house and he isn't Josh's father. If he had approached Josh's mother with that idea he might have been informed that he was living rent free in his step son's home and, hopefully, would have kept his mouth shut. As for Josh suggesting that his step father and mother pay rent, I think this is a bit of a grey area. I think it is safe to assume that Josh's mother and Derrick were maintaining the home and paying the utilities etc. so it does feel a bit vindictive.

As for the final twist, I would go so far as to say that if he relents on the rent idea Josh should split the household expenses with his mom and step father and the insurance and property taxes would be his responsibility. Personally I would charge them rent to cover the insurance and property tax so all I had to pay was my share of the other expenses. That should be easy enough with a part time job.

 

[oil&gas]

Derrick is the asshole, no question about it. Sally is one
lousy mom to allow him to bully her son. Hope Josh, after
he turns 18, would be smart enough to sell the house and
pocket the money.

 

[JohnHenry]

Josh should sell the house, use part of the money to finance his higher education, then buy a house for himself once he is established.

 

[Jenesis]

This story was on Quora. There aren't really any details beyond what Jenesis posted. Although on Quora Josh already knew that he owned the house and there wasn't a foreshadowing of rent being charged 3 years in advance as Jenesis suggested.

That said...

IMO, Derrick is the ass as he had no right to suggest that Josh pay rent as it wasn't his house and he isn't Josh's father. If he had approached Josh's mother with that idea he might have been informed that he was living rent free in his step son's home and, hopefully, would have kept his mouth shut. As for Josh suggesting that his step father and mother pay rent, I think this is a bit of a grey area. I think it is safe to assume that Josh's mother and Derrick were maintaining the home and paying the utilities etc. so it does feel a bit vindictive.

As for the final twist, I would go so far as to say that if he relents on the rent idea Josh should split the household expenses with his mom and step father and the insurance and property taxes would be his responsibility. Personally I would charge them rent to cover the insurance and property tax so all I had to pay was my share of the other expenses. That should be easy enough with a part time job.

I guess it was passed around and like the game telephone, some things have been added and some taken away. I heard mind on a FB reel and a radio show segment. LOL

 

[Robert Mugabe]

Is Jack an asshole or is it Diane?

 

[Goodoer]

Haha! This is a good one!

1. Josh's Dad is a BOSS for looking after his kid. (I have a post regarding Wills and what to leave to the kids vs. the wife).
2. Sally is a fucking retard as she did not seem to know this arrangement and/or advise Derrick. Did Sally use Derrick?
3. Derrick is a tool as he should've known what's going on with the money. At first glance, he seems like a good dude. I would want to teach Josh the same shit.
4. Josh should check his privilege. He's only lucky as his Dad was a BOSS, but he's also lucky that Derrick stuck around. He should cut his Mom and stepdad some slack. He's really leaving his Mom, Sally in a lurch without home equity.