Airbnb began in 2007 when founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia inflated three air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment to rent during a sold-out design conference in their city. From there, they launched a simple website with Nathan Blecharczyk, offering air beds and breakfast to travelers when local hotels ran out of space.
As of 2026, Airbnb boasts over 9 million active listings across more than 220 countries and regions with more than 2.5 billion guest arrivals and 5.5 million hosts worldwide.
Some people buy properties just to turn them into lucrative short-term rentals, but someone needs to manage those properties.
A daughter roped into her parents' investment property plan turned to the "Am I The A**hole" (AITA) subReddit for feedback.
Slow_Thanks_1733 asked:
"WIBTA for moving out of my parents' duplex and quitting as their Airbnb manager?"
The original poster (OP) explained:
"A year ago, my parents (60s) decided to buy a property to rent as an Airbnb. They wanted a property in the city where I (25, female) live (over 2,000 miles away) that they could use for visits as well."
"My dad found a duplex in a great neighborhood and became enamored with it. The main issue was how my parents would manage the Airbnb from afar."
"They offered to rent me one of the units cheaply in exchange for running an Airbnb in the other."
"They'd be the landlords, taking financial responsibility for the property. I'd be responsible for guests, cleaning, and scheduling maintenance/improvements."
"For context, my family is well off, but my parents have never coddled my siblings and me. They expected us to be independent once we had jobs. I chose a career in what I love, but doesn't pay well."
"I never asked my parents for money, buy they knew that I was not doing as well as my siblings, who have high-paying jobs. At the time, I was living with roommates in a lower-income neighborhood. I suspect this arrangement was a way for them to help me without just giving me money."
"Initially, I was excited. Living on my own in a nice neighborhood was a dream come true. But I worried about renting from my parents. My dad has a history of letting little problems around the house become big ones."
"He is stingy about maintenance, and I worried that this would be worse in a property 2,000 miles away. Plus, he refused to put anything in writing because it was 'between family'."
"Despite my reservations, I decided that the pros outweighed the cons and we bought the property. I moved in and began running the Airbnb. For a few months, everything was fine."
"Then the problems started. It was little things at first: one of the toilets needed a new fill valve. I fixed it for $20, but when I asked my dad to reimburse me, he said, 'It's only $20, it's not a big deal'."
"Then a set of blinds had to be replaced. He again wouldn't reimburse me, saying, 'It's just blinds; it's not a serious problem.' I was upset, but I let it slide because I know they could be renting my unit for a lot more and they're doing me a favor."
"Then, this week, a storm caused one of the trees in the yard to split. It was a huge safety issue. An arborist removed the tree, which cost $1,500. My dad refused to reimburse me because 'the tree wasn't over the house or driveway so it wasn't urgent'."
"I was appalled. A split tree is a big liability, regardless of its location. Moreover, my dad has set a precedent of putting issues with the duplex onto me, despite originally agreeing to take financial responsibility."
"I can't keep footing the bill for everything that goes wrong. If my dad can't agree with that, the only path I see is moving out and quitting the Airbnb."
"My parents would either have to manage it themselves from 2,000 miles away or hire a company. I know they are doing me a favor, but it's causing strain on our relationship and my finances."
"So, WIBTA for moving out and leaving them to deal with the duplex?"
Redditors weighed in using the AITA voting acronyms:
- NTA - Not The A**hole
- YTA - You're The A**hole
- NAH - No A**holes Here
- ESH - Everyone Sucks Here
- INFO - more information needed
Redditors decided the OP would not be the a**hole (NTA).
"NTA. Try withholding these expenses from your rent and sending copies of the receipts to your parents. If your dad complains about the lesser amount, tell him it's 'not a big deal'."
"Seriously, though, have a talk with him. He needs to realize that if you leave he's going to have to hire a property manager and that's going to be a lot more expensive. Even if it means he can rent both sides for full market price in the long run it's going to cost more." ~ Stock-Cell1556
"Pretty clever of the parents to convince OP that they are doing her a favor instead of the other way around. I bet the parents even believe that's true." ~ FeuerroteZora
"NTA. They don't trust your judgment as the property manager. They're going to have a rude awakening when they hire a professional. Especially one that is willing to manage short-term rentals!" ~ pubesinourteeth
"You need to stop paying rent and pay when The debts are paid. But i would look ay moving out." ~ Maleficent_Pay_4154
"The fact that she's paying for repairs on a property she doesn't own is wild. Her dad can't call it a family arrangement when it benefits him and then dumps the expenses on her. I'd be looking for a way out too." ~ Mrithyunjayan07
"Next month, send reduced rent with an itemized list of what you've paid out of pocket thus far, and they cannot continue to do so. As an Airbnb, the property needs to be in good working order."
"If they balk at that, contact a couple of management companies with prices of their services. It will prove to cheapo dad how much you are worth that they're not paying for. And you can bet the management company will not pay for repairs and ask to get reimbursed!"
"If this doesn't convince your folks they're taking advantage of you, find another place to live. It might be the only way to prevent resentment and save your relationship with your parents."
"NTA. Tell them the $1500 to haul away the downed tree is cheaper by far than a $250K lawsuit from an injured Airbnb customer." ~ Impossible-Guard-409
"Actually, OP should start deducting their costs from rent. If rent is $1,000, pay them $980 with a memo 'Rent minus $20 toilet repair.' For the tree removal, pay $100 'Rent minus $900 for part of tree removal.' Next month subtract the remaining $600. If your dad explodes over this, then move out." ~ JustKindaHappenedxx
"This is the way. If $20 is no big deal, it shouldn’t be a problem for him not to get it." ~ OkeyDokey654
"That’s what I did when I rented. I sent the receipts to the landlord with the rent payment, no questions asked. He was a good guy and wonderful landlord." ~ 1zapper1
"Yes. Tell dad, 'I paid for X, Y and Z in maintenance. I will consider that my rent for the next three months.' If he balks, he's the one who decided to keep it with family. You have more leverage than you think, so make sure they know that." ~ RandomCoffeeThoughts
"You shouldn't have to pay your own money to voluntarily manage someone else's property, even if it's your parents. Your dad is taking advantage of you, and if anyone rolls out the 'family take care of family' line, point out that your dad is the one failing to take care of you."
"If this were me, I'd walk. You should too. Let your dad pay someone else to do what you were doing for free." ~ sapperbloggs
"NTA. Either you get a clear written contract that empowers you to perform or order maintenance as you determine it is needed with structured payment terms from them AND repayment of all of the money spent so far, or they can hire themselves a management company that will demand the same thing from them. This thing where you’re responsible, but not empowered, is ridiculous." ~ KaliTheBlaze
"Set aside a portion of the AirBnB proceeds for property maintenance. Or, keep track of the expenses and deduct them from your rent." ~ NieleDaKine
"You are actually part of the problem. Your father wouldn't reimburse you $20, or for blinds, yet you spent $1,500 on tree removal? You say you can't keep footing the bill, so dont." ~ RainbowSherbert-2035
"In OP's defense, $20 blinds are a whole lot easier to shrug off than a $1500 tree removal, especially when you're dealing with your own parents. To find out your own father is screwing you over, whether it's expected or not, still hurts." ~ Illustrious-Network5
"NTA. But stop paying for things and arranging appointments. They can pay upfront for stuff or you don’t handle it. Honestly, I’d move out and then take them to small claims court."
"Do you have text messages proving they said they’d bear the financial burdens of their own properties? If so, that's enough evidence to get your money back. Def move out. It isn’t worth it." ~ LadyHorseFace13
"NTA, but try to talk to your parents first and let them know that things can't continue the way they are going. If they own the property, they are responsible for the maintenance, which means either they pay someone to do it, or they can reimburse you by either repaying you or by letting you deduct it straight from your rent."
"If your dad won't budge, then it's time to move. Also, remind your dad that failure to maintain the property will have a noticeable effect on the Airbnb side of things, up to and including them kicking the property off of the site." ~ Appropriate-Mall9781
OP thought they were getting a great deal that's turned into a headache.
'If her parents won't pay for needed repairs, OP will need to look elsewhere for a place to live.
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