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Landlord Decides To Sell Renovated Property, Is Shocked Evicted Tenant Took It All Back
Landlord Decides To Sell Renovated Property, Is Shocked Evicted Tenant Took It All Back
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Landlord Decides To Sell Renovated Property, Is Shocked Evicted Tenant Took It All Back

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To buy or to rent: the age-old question you find yourself grappling with once you start adulting. In the U.S., 66% of households own their home while 34% rent it. So, you could say that the majority of Americans think buying is the way.

But this man didn’t think so, and opted to rent. And when he renovated his rental’s kitchen, the owner started seeing dollar signs. Furious that the landlord went back on his word and was essentially kicking him out, the guy carried out perhaps the pettiest revenge of all time. He took all the improvements with him and left the new owners with a kitchen in all its former hideousness.

RELATED:

    A guy renovated the kitchen in his rental condo, but it backfired when the landlord saw the results

    Man in black cap measuring wall for condo renovations.

    Image credits: Pablo Merchán Montes / unsplash (not the actual photo)

    The greedy landlord decided he wanted to sell, but the renter hit him with an act of petty revenge for the ages

    "Text about landlord's lesson on renovations and rental condo disputes.

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    Text about a person renovating a neglected warehouse into a fourplex, leading to new rental developments.

    Text about losing a built condo pre-COVID due to eviction for rent increase.

    Text describing a tenant renting a downtown condo to upgrade from a one-bedroom chosen for ROI.

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    Text about a tenant experiencing challenges with a landlord after condo renovations.

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    "Details of a modern condo with floor-to-ceiling windows and dated interior, highlighting renovation impact on landlord.

    Renovated kitchen with vintage oven and colorful tiled backsplash in an empty condo.

    Image credits: Paul Volkmer / unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Text about landlord's passive approach to rental management and tenant maintenance agreement.

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    Tenant agreement text about condo renovations and landlord reaction.

    Text explaining tenant improvements in retail and residential projects.

    Text description of luxury kitchen renovations amid COVID-19.

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    Text about a couple renovating a condo, leading to issues with the landlord.

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    Hands signing a contract, symbolizing condo renovation dispute and landlord issues.

    Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Text about couple renovating condo without permits, leading to landlord's reaction.

    Renovated condo with new cherry wood floors and kitchen, costing under $12,000.

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    Text from a story about condo renovations impacting lease agreements and market rates.

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    Text discussing financial sense of renting vs. buying a condo.

    Text about risky condo renovations and unexpected consequences for a couple.

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    Text detailing concerns about landlord's lack of contact after condo renovations.

    Woman in bright red suit sitting, smiling in front of a textured wall.

    Image credits: Maria Lupan / unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    Text detailing landlord's wife admiring condo renovations, leading to landlord's decision for revenge.

    Text about a couple losing their condo after renovations attract landlord.

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    Tenant expressing frustration over landlord’s actions after condo renovations.

    Text describes condo renovations leading to a sale and tenant's eviction.

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    Text discussing renovations and landlord issues with flooring and kitchen updates.

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    Text detailing problems with kitchen renovation and faulty appliances affecting condo ownership.

    Person photographing a condo interior with a smartphone camera.

    Image credits: charlesdeluvio / unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Text about couple considering leaving a camera for new condo owner, concerns over potential lawsuit.

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    Text recounting couple's condo loss after renovations and landlord's reaction.

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    Text screenshot about a condo dispute involving evictions and legal issues.

    Text describing consequences of condo renovations, leading to increased rent.

    Image credits: IknowwhatIhave

    For millennials, investing in renovating your rental is often the only option

    In fact, it’s not so uncommon for millennials to invest in the places they’re renting. Housing experts claim that they’re the most screwed generation when it comes to homeownership. Its rates surpassed 50% in 2022 for the first time, signifying that most millennials, the oldest of whom are in their 40s now, have no other choice but to rent – perhaps forever.

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    Mercury Stardust, the author of “Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair,”tells Business Insider that, ideally, renters shouldn’t put money into rentals. However, reality often forces them to spend their money on properties they don’t own.

    “So many of us put money into our rentals because we are trying to make it feel like the warm, inviting space that we need in our life,” Stardust explains. “I think that should be a universal truth rather than something that only homeowners — which is now a growing select few — can experience.”

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    Millennials tend to put money into the things that make them happy now rather than investing in the future. Financial planner River Nice explains it as part of a unique millennial outlook. “A lot of personal finance for our generation is a motivation game,” they explained. “Like, ‘Yeah, this is awful, and I’ve got to find a reason that I want to keep getting up and doing it.'”

    Image credits: Karolina Grabowska / unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    If you’re renovating the place you’re renting with your landlord’s permission, it’s always wise to get it in writing

    Some people may find the thought of renovating a rental ridiculous. You don’t own the place, so what’s the use in upgrading it? But who among us doesn’t want to live in an apartment or a house that they like and find comfortable? When you’re experienced in making beautiful kitchens like the OP, why not invest some money and time into making your home a more beautiful place?

    However, there are some things to keep in mind when you’re renovating a place you’re renting. Some people opt for non-permanent upgrades, like putting up light fixtures with Command strips, using peel-and-stick floor tiles and wallpaper, and installing Sproos – the shower systems for renters and DIYers.

    If you’re taking on bigger projects like the OP, you’ll likely need the landlord’s permission. “Renters should get written permission from their landlord before making any irreversible alterations to the rental unit,” G. Brian Davis, co-founder of SparkRental, a property management software company, explains.

    “When they make reversible changes, renters should restore the unit to its original state before they move out.” Ultimately, what a renter can and cannot alter depends on the terms of the lease. Usually, the landlord puts the no-nos in the rent agreement, even if they’re as minor as repainting the walls.

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    In some cases, the landlord might be willing to contribute to the renovations if they think it’ll significantly increase the property’s value. Lemonade Insurance writes that renters can negotiate: ask for a temporary rent reduction, discuss who’ll do the labor (maybe the landlord has vendors they prefer), and don’t expect the landlord to cover all the expenses.

    Perhaps, if the OP put the renovations agreement with the landlord in writing, they would still have their beautiful kitchen and the apartment that they loved so much. Still, their genius pettiness is one for the books and will be hard to beat!

    Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    The OP gave people an example of what the before and after looked like

    Text comment discussing renovations and wear and tear, reflecting on improvements.

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    Before and after condo renovation; outdated kitchen upgraded to modern design.

    Reddit comments discussing a couple losing their condo after renovations lead to landlord's petty revenge.

    Reddit comments about Canadian tenant protections and pettiness.

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    Reddit comment discussing condo renovations leading to landlord's revenge.

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    Reddit discussion about kitchen renovation challenges and techniques with DIY tips.

    And the people were impressed: “This is Michelin star level of pettiness”

    Comment about contractor hoarding habits after condo renovations.

    Reddit comment advises saving emails and photos as protection against landlord issues.

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    Comment discussing condo renovations and renter experiences with home improvement.

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    Reddit comment saying, "Absolutely brilliant. No notes. FAFO 100%," with 360 points.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment saying, "Please update in 6 months!

    Reddit comment discussing revenge related to losing a condo after renovations.

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    Comment discussing complications with landlords and renovators.

    Text post about tenant's concerns on renovations affecting landlord's decisions.

    Reddit comment discussing petty landlord revenge and renovation consequences.

    Comment on a forum post about a landlord's petty revenge after condo renovations.

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    Comment praising a read about condo renovations and landlord revenge.

    Text from a forum post discussing a delightful story about condo renovations.

    Comment on landlord's petty revenge after condo renovations.

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    Kornelija Viečaitė

    Kornelija Viečaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Hi there, fellow pandas! As a person (over)educated both in social sciences and literature, I'm most interested in how we connect and behave online (and sometimes in real life too.) The human experience is weird, so I try my best to put its peculiarities in writing. As a person who grew up chronically online, I now try to marry two sides of myself: the one who knows too much about MySpace, and the one who can't settle and needs to see every corner of the world.

    Read less »
    Kornelija Viečaitė

    Kornelija Viečaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Hi there, fellow pandas! As a person (over)educated both in social sciences and literature, I'm most interested in how we connect and behave online (and sometimes in real life too.) The human experience is weird, so I try my best to put its peculiarities in writing. As a person who grew up chronically online, I now try to marry two sides of myself: the one who knows too much about MySpace, and the one who can't settle and needs to see every corner of the world.

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi there! I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. My job is to ensure that all the articles are aesthetically pleasing. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from all the relationship drama to lots and lots of memes and, my personal favorites, funny cute cats. When I am not perfecting the images, you can find me reading with a cup of matcha latte and a cat in my lap, taking photos (of my cat), getting lost in the forest, or simply cuddling with my cat... Did I mention that I love cats?

    Read less »

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi there! I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. My job is to ensure that all the articles are aesthetically pleasing. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from all the relationship drama to lots and lots of memes and, my personal favorites, funny cute cats. When I am not perfecting the images, you can find me reading with a cup of matcha latte and a cat in my lap, taking photos (of my cat), getting lost in the forest, or simply cuddling with my cat... Did I mention that I love cats?

    What do you think ?
    BrownEyedPanda
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad used to do the very same thing. One particular landlord waited until my father had made renovations to the house in order to make it liveable, then gave us six days to move out. Being a conscientious person, Dad believed that one should always leave a space exactly how you found it. Boy, did he ever! Chipped-off paint, loose wiring, trash everywhere, and a torn-up garden. Messing with old folks or the middle kid is like playing leapfrog with a unicorn; eventually, you'll get it in the end.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ouch! My bottom hurts reading your comment!

    Load More Replies...
    Ripley
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It reminds me of another story in internet-land, where a woman rented a house with a patch of dirt back yard, and built a beautiful garden - all in pots. The landlord sold the house "with a beautifully landscaped yard" and then chucked a wobbly when the tenant took the garden away with her (and then the sale fell through). Why the hell to people think that they are entitled to the work that others have done without paying them for it?

    Load More Replies...
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    BrownEyedPanda
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad used to do the very same thing. One particular landlord waited until my father had made renovations to the house in order to make it liveable, then gave us six days to move out. Being a conscientious person, Dad believed that one should always leave a space exactly how you found it. Boy, did he ever! Chipped-off paint, loose wiring, trash everywhere, and a torn-up garden. Messing with old folks or the middle kid is like playing leapfrog with a unicorn; eventually, you'll get it in the end.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ouch! My bottom hurts reading your comment!

    Load More Replies...
    Ripley
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It reminds me of another story in internet-land, where a woman rented a house with a patch of dirt back yard, and built a beautiful garden - all in pots. The landlord sold the house "with a beautifully landscaped yard" and then chucked a wobbly when the tenant took the garden away with her (and then the sale fell through). Why the hell to people think that they are entitled to the work that others have done without paying them for it?

    Load More Replies...
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