A Reddit user sparked debate after accidentally trapping his roommate’s secret feline guest, leading to a heated dispute over property damage—and who’s really at fault.
The Unusual Living Situation
In a post on the subreddit “Am I the A——?”, the original poster (OP) described his reclusive roommate’s puzzling habits: keeping a bedroom window wide open in the middle of winter while blasting the heat to 70°F. The roommate had also removed the window screen without explanation.
The reason for these choices became clear during a disastrous weekend when the roommate was away.
A Costly Misunderstanding
While the roommate was gone, the OP—hoping to save on energy costs—closed the window from the outside, unaware of the consequences. Upon returning, the roommate allegedly erupted in anger, revealing that the OP had unknowingly trapped a stray cat inside the room for three days.
“He screamed that the cat had ruined his belongings,” the OP wrote, explaining that he had no idea his roommate was secretly caring for the animal, letting it come and go freely through the open window.
When questioned, the roommate reportedly dodged whether the landlord knew about the cat and claimed he was moving out in two weeks—news to both the OP and the property owner.
Blame Game Escalates
The OP argued that the roommate was responsible for the damage since he had removed the window screen, creating an accessible entry point. However, the situation worsened when the landlord called the OP after receiving a conflicting account from the roommate.
According to the OP, the roommate accused him of entering the bedroom, rearranging his belongings, and intentionally trapping the cat—claims the OP denies.
Reddit Weighs In
Commenters largely sided with the OP, calling the roommate difficult and irresponsible.
“NTA. Your roommate sounds impossible to live with,” one user wrote. Others questioned how the OP didn’t hear the cat, with some speculating it was actually the roommate’s pet.
“That’s not a stray—it’s his outdoor cat,” argued one commenter. “It probably had food and just did what cats do when locked in: eat, sleep, and make a mess.”
Beyond the cat debate, many raised safety concerns over the open window.
“Forget the cat—someone could’ve broken in,” one person warned. Another added, “Leaving a ground-floor window open while away is a huge risk. I’d be furious.”
As tensions simmer, the OP faces an unresolved battle over damages—and a lesson in the perils of unspoken roommate rules.
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