Landlord defended after evicting tenants who’d lived there for 14 years

It's safe to say that landlords don't tend to get much sympathy from anyone these days.

But people have come out in support of one who's evicting tenants who've lived in their home for 14 years.

Taking to the popular subreddit 'Am I The A**hole', she asked whether she was wrong for booting her longterm renters out.

In her post, the landlord explained that she'd originally bought the property when she was in her early twenties but didn't think 'semi-rural Buckinghamshire' was for her, so decided to rent it out and move to London.

After a couple of years in the Big Smoke, she then headed off to Australia. And 14 years later, the same family she originally let it out to are still living there.

Getty Images/Stock Photo

However, with the landlord now moving back home to the UK, she wants her house back.

"I'm now ready to return home, so I informed my estate agent that I want to break the contract and have them move out in three months' time, two months more notice than I'm obligated to give," she explained.

"The tenants were surprised to hear I was coming back and tried to ask if I was coming to live with my family. The agent brushed off question and told them to vacate in three months and that they can help find alternative accommodation.

"Tenants texted me directly to ask same question and I replied, 'Haha, no husband or kids in tow - just ready to set roots again! Looking forward to being home'."

The couple did not take the news well, branding her 'selfish' and suggesting she movie somewhere else and sell them the house for a cut price.

She went on: "I replied, 'You can dictate in a house that you own, not one that I own. Please have your things packed by x date or I'll evict you and sue you for the costs'.

Getty Images/Stock Photo

"My friends are saying I'm kicking them out of their home and I don't need such a big place so I can rent or sell my student flat for a deposit for a house nearby.

"My rented house is 90 percent paid though and I don't want to start again with a new mortgage. I want to live in my house. I have been fair to the tenants and reasonable in my request. AITA?"

Since sharing the post, it's sparked quite the debate, with people coming out to bat for her.

"You're not getting them out of THEIR home, you're getting them out of YOUR house," wrote one user. "They signed a rental contract and must respect it."

Another said: "I would have given such long-standing good tenants more time/notice but otherwise NTA."

"NTA. It’s yours, not theirs," put a third.

While someone else added: "NTA. I would have given them 6 months' notice, but you did give more than required."

What do you think?