AITA for making my sister pay me back before she can access the storage unit with our late-grandparents’ dining set?

My older sister was behind on her storage payments and about to lose our grandparents’ dining set to auction, so I paid the $360 to stop it — then told her she has to repay me and clear the unit before she gets access. She’s angry I put conditions on it. AITA?

My sister (35F) told me she had received our grandparents’ old dining set and that I could have it for free. I (23F) planned to move it into my storage unit. Recently I texted to arrange when to pick it up but she said she was too busy. Then she admitted she was four months behind on her storage payments and that the unit would be auctioned in three days. She was distraught because some sentimental items in the unit belonged to her.

I’m the younger sister who paid $360 to stop my sister’s storage unit from being auctioned, but I insisted the unit be put in my name and that she repay me and clear it on a schedule before she can get her things — she’s furious I put conditions on access.

Because the auction was imminent I offered to pay off the storage so the items wouldn’t be lost. I required the unit be transferred into my name before I handed over $360, and I even paid an extra month proactively. I told her my terms after paying: she must repay me all the money before she can access the unit, and she must have the unit cleaned out at least ten days before the end of the next month. I considered those conditions reasonable given she’d been behind and I was putting out cash I couldn’t easily spare.

"I offered to pay the $360, but the unit had to be in my name and she had to pay me back before getting access."

Instead of gratitude, my sister reacted angrily and called me a "shitty person" for insisting on repayment before access. She had earlier agreed to the arrangement before signing over the unit, but now says she can’t pay me back because something came up — despite having recently bought a 2018 F-150. I reminded her that our agreement doesn’t change and that I have bills and college to pay for while saving for a house with my boyfriend.

"She called me a shitty person for asking her to repay me before she could get into the unit."

I explained my reasons: my sister has a history of irresponsible spending, recently bought a fixer-upper, and currently lives rent-free with our dad while I support myself through college. I don’t have the resources to subsidise her lifestyle indefinitely. The deal was discussed over a couple of days and she initially agreed, but after buying a truck she later claimed she couldn't repay me because 'something came up.'

🏠 The Aftermath

After I paid to prevent the auction, the storage unit is in my name and I’ve set clear repayment and clear-out terms. My sister hasn’t repaid me and is upset, accusing me of being unreasonable for blocking access until she honors the agreement.

For my sister: risk of losing sentimental items again if she doesn’t follow through. For me: I’m out $360 short-term and have the stress of enforcing repayment while juggling school and saving for a house. For our family: increased tension and frustration over her financial choices.

If she repays and clears the unit as agreed, the situation resolves. If she continues to stall, I’m prepared to hold to the terms I set to protect my own finances.

"I paid to save the stuff, but I expect to be paid back before she gets access."

Right now the outcome depends on whether she prioritises repaying me or keeps spending on bigger purchases that suggest she can afford the storage debt but chooses not to.

💭 Emotional Reflection

This is a clash between family sentiment and financial responsibility. I wanted to save sentimental items, but I also needed to protect my limited funds. Asking for repayment and setting a clear timeline felt like a fair way to balance both concerns — particularly given my sister’s financial history and recent purchases.

My sister’s anger is understandable from an emotional perspective: these were family heirlooms. But my own financial reality — college, saving for a house, and limited disposable income — means I can’t absorb the cost without some assurance I’ll be reimbursed.

Reasonable people might argue the compassionate move is to relinquish control after paying, but reasonable people will also see the risk in giving money to someone with a pattern of poor money management. The middle ground would have been a written agreement and clearer repayment plan up front — but I did set terms before finalising the payment, and she initially agreed.

Here’s how the community might see it:

“You saved the items from auction and set fair terms — you’re protecting yourself.”

“Family heirlooms are emotional, but lending money without safeguards was risky.”

“She bought a truck — if she can afford that, she can pay you back.”

Reactions will likely split between praising you for protecting your finances and urging compassion for sentimental family items — with many suggesting stronger written agreements when money and family mix.

🌱 Final Thoughts

You prevented the auction and protected sentimental items, but you also took on financial risk. Requiring repayment and a clear timeline before granting access is a reasonable way to balance those priorities, especially given your sister’s spending history and your own limited resources.

If you want to reduce conflict, consider proposing a written repayment plan and a clear deadline — or a compromise where she gradually regains access as she repays. If she truly values the items, she should make repaying you a priority.

What would you do?
Would you have paid to save the items without conditions, or were the terms you set fair? Share your thoughts below 👇