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A college sophomore told her roommate she can’t throw a Halloween party at their houseShe explained their lease forbids large gatherings and worries about noise complaintsThe student insisted she’s not against parties, but fears eviction if it goes ahead
A college student asked the Reddit community for advice following a tense disagreement with her roommates over a Halloween party.
The 19-year-old said she is living with two other friends, Tina and Ellie, and while their home is spacious and welcoming, their lease is strict about gatherings.
“When we signed the lease, it was VERY clear we were not supposed to have large, loud gatherings,” she explained. The rule exists because former tenants threw disruptive parties that upset neighbors, including the ones she and her friends share a wall with.
Stock photo of a Halloween party.
Getty
She said the issue started a few days ago when Tina mentioned plans for a Halloween party, writing, “I was somewhat hesitant from the start, but didn’t really say anything about it when it was first mentioned.”
After sitting with the idea, she realized the plan made her uneasy. She decided to tell Tina that she needed to get permission from the neighbors before hosting. “I also expressed I was generally uncomfortable with the party, to which she replied that it’ll be fine because ‘the cops don’t reply to noise complaints until after midnight,’” she recalled.
The response didn’t reassure her, and she says she felt brushed off. In her post, she admitted, “After that she kinda cut the conversation off, but it continued to really bother me.”
The more she thought about it, the stronger her feelings became, sharing, “So today, I went over to Tina and basically told her that if she doesn’t have the express go-ahead of our neighbors, she’s not throwing a party at our place.”
That conversation didn’t go well either. According to the post, Tina went “quiet and kinda stony,” and admitted she was “just bummed because ‘this was the only thing she was looking forward to.’ ”
For context, the student explained that Tina hasn’t been enjoying school and is even considering transferring. That made the exchange feel heavier, though it didn’t change her concerns about the party.
Feeling stressed, she turned to her dad for advice. “He was vehemently against the idea of a party (not because of alcohol, but because of the lease),” she shared.
Her dad pointed out that approval from neighbors still wouldn’t stop other residents on the street from calling in a complaint. The poster explained, “If the cops were to come, that could be a big issue since we’re all under the drinking age.”
He even suggested speaking to Tina’s parents about the situation, since their parents pay the rent and are on the lease. The student said, “I told him no unless they really aren’t listening to me.”
After that conversation, she noted that her feelings about the party solidified. “My conversation with him made me even more against the idea of hosting a party, so I’m considering just saying I’m not comfortable with any of it,” she shared.
The student emphasizes that this isn’t about disliking social gatherings. Explaining, “If we were in a neighborhood with lots of college students throwing parties, I’d have no issue with it,” she writes. Instead, she points out the reality of their situation. “We’re the only college students on an incredibly quiet street, with only old people and families for neighbors.”
Stock photo of a house decorated in Halloween decor.
Getty
Her concern, she said, is not about partying but about consequences. “This isn’t about me not liking parties, this is about me being afraid of putting our living situation in jeopardy,” she adds. With the lease hanging over her head, she feels backed into a corner. “So, AITA for telling my roommate she can’t have a party at our house?” she asked.
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The post quickly drew attention, with one commenter suggesting there could be a compromise. “I think there’s possibility for middle ground, you’re young, you’re allowed to have people over. It doesn’t have to be a rager,” the commenter said.
The student responded that she actually agreed. “From what Tina said, she was wanting like 30+ people over with alcohol,” she explained.
That, she said, is where the line is crossed. “I think I’d be fine if it was either a smaller, chill gathering where they were drinking, or a larger party minus the alcohol,” she clarifies. But the mix of both—the size and the drinking—feels too risky. “It’s the combination of both that’s making me worried,” she concluded.
While Tina may feel disappointed, the student makes it clear she isn’t trying to ruin the fun but instead keep their lease intact.
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