I’m sharing a 2 bedroom apartment with my roommate Claire. We’ve been roommates for a year and get along fine. We each have our own bedrooms but shared common areas.
I bought a new queen mattress last year $800 memory foam. It’s very good quality. Claire has a cat (Luna) She’s supposed to keep Luna in her room when I’m not home or sleeping because Luna likes to scratch furniture and jump on beds. Claire agreed to that rule when we moved in.
Two weeks ago I came home from a weekend trip. My bedroom door was open (I always close it). Luna had peed twice on my mattress and clawed deep holes in it (big rips in the top layer, two separate pee spot) Mattress is ruined, smells bad, can’t be saved. Vet said Luna might have a UTI but that’s separate.
I showed Claire the damage with photos. Asked her to pay for a new mattress since her cat did it while she left my door open. At first she said "cats do cat things” and asked if I can keep using the mattress like that. Later she offered $50 as a gesture. Mattress is $800+ to replace.
I told her she needs to pay the full amount or find a new place for Luna (like rehoming or boarding when she’s away). She freaked out and called me heartless for threatening her cat and in her words the bed is still useable. Now all the neighbors knows I’m trying to force her to get rid of Luna and being a bad roommate.
I like Luna but I shouldn’t have to pay $800 because her cat wasn’t contained like we agreed. I offered to split it 50/50 as a compromise and she refused.
AITA for demanding she pays the full cost?
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NTA. “Cats do cat things”, yes, but you’re not a fucking cat owner! I’d be pissed about someone going into my room while I’m gone by itself, let alone everything that happened after.
No, but this is a good area for small claims court. You get a new mattress and solve the roommate problem.
She’s on the hook for a new mattress.
NTA. I would think about taking her to small claims court tbh.
NTA.
Offer to switch mattresses with her since it’s still usable to her. Keep all the texts including images and if she doesn’t buy you an exact replacement, no cheeping out, take her to small claims court.
Why did she open your door at all if it was closed when you left? This feels intentionally malicious.
INFO: Why did your roommate open your door? Did she confirm that she let the cat into your room?
I think forcing a cat to stay in only her room and not common areas isn’t a sustainable rule, but not allowing in your room is perfectly reasonable. My call would depend on who left your door open
NTA. She apparently opened the door and then left it open. I wouldn’t have offered to split the cost.
She’s right about one thing, animals can’t really be held responsible. That’s why they have owners to be responsible for them.
Now she’s going to the neighbors with this? I’d get rid of her drama llama ass just for this.
Cats only do cat things when their owners are too selfish to take care of the cat properly. If she won’t pay to replace the mattress, small claims court is probably your only option. Get a lock for your bedroom door and rehome the roommate and her cat as soon as possible.
NTA.
NTA. Cat owners take responsibility for what their cats do. Claire hasn’t accounted for why a door you left closed was open. If the bed is usable, Claire can use it.
NTA Her cat ruined your $800 mattress because she broke the rule you both agreed on Cats do cat things doesn’t magically make it your bill
It’s simple. She either pays for a new mattress. Or, you piss on her mattress and shred it with a knife.
“cats do cat things”
**No**, **peeing in bed or in general outside litterbox is NOT ‘a cat thing’.** It’s either behavioural problem, or can even be sign of serious urinary health problems. **Healthy sterilised cats don’t pee outside litterbox**. This girl is neglecting her own pet and disrespecting you as a roommate.
NTA, but run away from her when you can and look for a new room. It’s going to be even worse, both with cat (prepare for whole house smelling like piss) and her as an asshole
NTA
1. Find a new roommate
2. Take this one to small claims court
3. Get a key to your room and lock doors once you’re about to go away.
Like this is easy math, her cat ruined your furniture, roommate as the owner replaces it to mitigate the damage…
ETA: you are already extremely generous to offer her to split it 50/50. After her demeanour I’d request a full replacement from her
NTA.
1. You closed door. She opened door. Why?
2. People are responsible for their pets and their actions. As well as her own for opening your door. She should replace like for like.
In the future a 30$ mattress protector would be a worthy investment. Good luck!