My Landlord Raised the Rent After Renovating My Apartment Without Permission – I Made Him Regret It
After taking care of her ailing mother, Sage, a single mother, returns home to discover her apartment completely remodeled and a notice from Gary, her landlord, announcing a significant increase in rent. Gary was not prepared for Sage’s intense will to force him to remorse his devious plans.
Having raised three children alone, I believed I had seen it all. However, nothing could have prepared me for what transpired when I returned from my mom’s apartment and walked into my own.
I had put so much effort into creating a home there, but now it was a heartless, frigid box. And I was enraged by the explanation.
I’ve been a single mother for about five years, and I can assure you that it hasn’t been easy.
Despite having no time for myself due to working a full-time job and raising three children alone, I’ve managed.
In case you’re wondering why I’ve been working alone, the answer is yes. My ex-husband wasn’t exactly the faithful kind, to put it mildly. That’s a tale for another day, but let’s just say that I immediately considered evicting him after learning that he had cheated.
I went into survival mode when he departed.
It was cruel at first. We had gone from having two sources of income to me working two jobs to make ends meet. I hardly slept at all, let alone had time for my children. However, I realized I needed to perform better.
I therefore began to improve my abilities.
I used to sit at the kitchen table and look through online lessons and courses after the kids went to bed. It paid off gradually but steadily.
I was able to breathe again after landing a higher-paying job.
The money wasn’t the only factor. Giving my children a life that didn’t feel like we were barely surviving each day was the goal.
I discovered the apartment at that point.
After weeks of looking through rental postings, I finally found a comfortable two-bedroom apartment that could accommodate myself and the kids. When I went to visit it, I felt right at home, and the rent was affordable.
I also met the landlord, Gary, at that time.
At the moment, Gary seemed to be doing well.
When I informed him I had three children, he was quite courteous and showed no emotion.
He even went so far as to say, “I admire anyone who raises children by themselves. It’s not simple.
He seemed sincere to me. Now that I look back, I see how foolish I was.
A week later, we moved in, and life was good for a time.
I used items that brought joy to the children when I designed the apartment. I purchased vibrant curtains and comfortable furnishings, and I affixed their artwork on the walls and refrigerator.
It was loving yet a touch chaotic.
Then, a few weeks ago, an unforeseen event occurred. Evelyn, my mother, who is in her seventies, became unwell. I didn’t hesitate to aid her when she needed it because she’s always been my rock.
I drove to her residence in the neighboring state after packing up the kids.
During our week-long stay, we kept her company, cooked, and cleaned. I was worn out by the time we returned, but I was excited to go back into our cozy little house.
However, I just stood there, wide-eyed, when I opened the door. I had the impression that I had entered a stranger’s apartment.
Once cozy and welcoming, the walls had been painted a stark white. Our comfortable sofa? Some contemporary monstrosity took its place.
The artwork on the fridge had vanished, as had the children’s reading corner.
My youngest said, “Mom, where’s my dinosaur picture?”
I was at a loss for words. I glanced around, my heart pounding. Some of their toys were missing, and others were crammed into one corner.
It wasn’t until I noticed a message on the counter that I realized who was responsible.
Regarding the upgrades, you are welcome. Next month, the rent will increase by 30%. Gary.
What on earth? I pondered.
I had put a lot of effort into creating a secure and contented environment for my family, and Gary had destroyed it all without my consent. And after ruining our house, the audacity to increase the rent? What was he doing, in his opinion?
I had to stop him from getting away with this.
That day, as I took up my phone to call Gary, I can still remember my hands shaking with anger.
“Gary, what the hell happened to my apartment?” As soon as he responded, I snapped.
He said, “Oh, you saw the renovations!” “Isn’t it gorgeous? Later, you’ll thank me. It’s much more contemporary now.
“Up to date? You totally destroyed our home and threw away the possessions of my children! Furthermore, you didn’t even attempt to get my consent. I shouted.
“Well,” he smirked, “I didn’t need your permission because it’s my property.” Additionally, the rent is rising as a result of the upgrades. You are free to leave if you are unable to pay.
“You mean you want me to move out,” I forced myself to say. “You want us to leave, right?”
After a moment of silence, he gave a little laugh.
“Look, Sage,” he said first. “All I’m saying is that you might want to look into other possibilities. Someone interested in the location is already in line with me.”
“You have a tenant lined up already? Didn’t you plan this out?
Gary made no effort to refute it.
“Well, I thought it was time for a change,” he said. “The new guy, Michael, is quiet, unmarried, and childless. It is more appropriate for the structure.
“Seriously, Gary?” I gave an eye roll. “If you didn’t like children, why did you even let me move in? When I signed the lease, you were aware that I had three.
“Look, it was fine at first, but things change,” he replied. “I need tenants who fit the vision I have for the property.”
Vision? How might a landlord remodel an apartment only to evict a family?
I was enraged. He was prepared to tear everything away because he didn’t like the sound of kids laughing coming from this house, which was my kids’ safe haven.
Gary had misjudged me. He assumed I would simply pack up and go.
He was mistaken.
I had trouble sleeping that night. My thoughts were racing, repeatedly reliving the exchange. How could someone have such a cold heart? My neighbor, Melissa, texted me when I was still asleep.
Gary boasted to someone that he had already found a “perfect new tenant” and that “that single mom and her brats would be gone soon.” She had overheard him this.
Melissa supplied another piece of information, and I tightened my hold on my phone. She gave me the complete name of the new renter.
I found his social media page after doing a fast web search. He appeared to be typical.
He was seeking a new beginning as a small business owner who had recently moved to the city. I took a good look at his profile photo before deciding.
I texted him the following morning.
I wasted little time in explaining everything, and Michael agreed to meet me for coffee the next day.
I explained to him how Gary had ruined my children’s possessions, made unauthorized renovations to our apartment, and then attempted to evict us by upping the rent.
Michael’s look changed from courteous interest to plain incredulity as I spoke.
“That’s… amazing. He shook his head and replied, “I’m at a loss for words.” “I didn’t know. Gary only implied that since you were prepared to move on, the space was accessible.
“Ready to move on?” I sneered. “I didn’t intend to relocate. My children live here. I’ve put a lot of effort into creating a safe environment for children, and their school is close by, and their friends live here. Gary, however, is unconcerned. His only preferences are for someone who is “quiet” and “better for his property vision.”
Michael crossed his arms and sat back in his chair.
“I’m really sorry, Sage,” he addressed her. “I didn’t intend to enter this situation. I wouldn’t have even thought about moving in if I had known.”
I gave a nod. “Michael, you are not to blame. You were unaware. However, now that you do I simply felt that you had to hear the whole tale.”
Michael scowled.
“This doesn’t make me feel good. First of all, Gary’s actions were entirely unlawful. Unannounced renovations? destroying your belongings? Increasing the rent in such manner? He’s treading very carefully.” His eyes narrowed in contemplation as he stopped. “You know what? Let’s discipline him.
I arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Gary has no idea we’ve talked, right?” He smiled. “Let’s maintain that arrangement. You’ll have to believe me when I say that I have an idea.
Gary arrived to the flat the following day, Michael with him, beaming like a child who had just won a gift.
“Well, I’m here to finalize the handover,” he replied. “Michael will be moving in next week, so you should start packing.”
Michael moved forward before I could reply.
“There’s been a change of plans, actually, Gary,” Michael stated firmly.
“What?” inquired Gary.
According to Michael, “I spoke to a lawyer,” “What you did here is illegal.”
“What do you mean?”
“You increased the rent after destroying the tenants’ belongings and renovating the residence without warning. It’s all against the law,” Michael clarified. “And if you think I’m moving into a place under those circumstances, you’re dead wrong.”
Gary’s cheeks flushed. “But—but I’ve already changed it! I had the thought—”
“Thought what?” Michael cut me off. “You could force a single mother and her children to leave their house? Yes, thank you, but no. The bargain is that you will restore this place to its previous state, offer an apology to Sage and her children, and maintain the current rent. If not, we’ll file a lawsuit.”
“This isn’t fair—”
Michael interrupted, saying, “Oh, and just so you know, I’m not moving in,” “I don’t support landlords who treat their tenants like this.”
At that moment, I wanted to laugh so hard. Gary had a priceless expression. I never imagined that I would make him feel horrible about his actions.
He reluctantly returned the apartment to its original condition over the course of the following few weeks.
The rent stayed the same, my children’s toys were put back where they belonged, and their artwork was put back on the refrigerator.
Michael, too? As it happened, he was more than just an ally.
My youngest even drew him a dinosaur image with his name on it, and he has started spending more time with me and the kids.
Karma is a humorous concept. Gary attempted to evict us, but I was able to regain my house and meet a beautiful person instead.
