Two Friends in Their 60s Decided to Move in Together and Rent Out a House. Here’s What Happened

Linda and Carol had been friends for over 40 years. They met in college, shared countless memories, and supported each other through thick and thin. Now, both in their early 60s, they found themselves at a crossroads. Their children had moved out, their husbands had passed away or left, and they were living alone in large, empty houses.

One evening over a glass of wine, Linda proposed an idea. “Why don’t we move in together? We could rent out one of our houses and make some extra money. It would be fun, like old times.”

Carol’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! We could split the rent and the bills. Plus, it would be nice to have some company.”

They spent the next few weeks planning their new living arrangement. Linda’s house was larger and in a better neighborhood, so they decided to move in there and rent out Carol’s house. They listed Carol’s house on a popular rental website and quickly found a tenant willing to pay a good price.

The first few months were wonderful. They enjoyed each other’s company, reminisced about the past, and even started a small garden in the backyard. The extra income from the rental property was a nice bonus, allowing them to indulge in little luxuries they hadn’t been able to afford before.

However, things started to take a turn for the worse. The tenant in Carol’s house began to miss rent payments. At first, it was just a few days late, but soon it became weeks. Linda and Carol tried to contact the tenant, but their calls and messages went unanswered.

Frustrated and worried, they decided to visit the house. What they found shocked them. The once pristine home was now in disarray. The lawn was overgrown, the paint was peeling, and there were signs of neglect everywhere. Inside, it was even worse. The tenant had left without notice, leaving behind a mess of broken furniture, trash, and even some structural damage.

Linda and Carol were devastated. They had counted on the rental income to supplement their retirement funds, and now they were faced with costly repairs. They tried to contact the tenant again but discovered that he had provided false information on his rental application.

With no other options, they decided to take legal action. The process was long and stressful, draining both their finances and their spirits. Meanwhile, living together began to strain their friendship. Small disagreements over household chores and personal habits escalated into full-blown arguments.

Linda missed her quiet mornings with a cup of coffee and a book, while Carol longed for her own space to practice her painting without interruptions. The once joyful atmosphere turned tense and uncomfortable.

After several months of legal battles and mounting repair costs, they finally managed to get the house back in shape and found a new tenant. But the damage had been done. Their friendship was strained beyond repair, and the financial burden had taken its toll.

In the end, Linda and Carol decided it was best to go their separate ways. Carol moved back into her house, and Linda stayed in hers. They still kept in touch but the closeness they once shared was gone.

Their story serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of mixing friendship with financial ventures. What seemed like a perfect plan turned into a nightmare, leaving them both emotionally and financially drained.