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Woman Refuses To Buy Previous Tenant’s Stuff, Hoping She’ll Leave It Anyway, Comes To Regret It
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Woman Refuses To Buy Previous Tenant’s Stuff, Hoping She’ll Leave It Anyway, Comes To Regret It

Woman Refuses To Buy Previous Tenant's Stuff, Hoping She'll Leave It Anyway, Comes To Regret ItWoman Leaves Concrete Floors And Bare Walls For The Next Tenant That Decided To Be CheapWoman Removes Everything From Apartment After Next Tenant Decided To Be CheapWoman Takes Extreme Measures After New Tenant Refuses To Pay Extra Fees For Furnished Apartment“Didn’t Get To Keep Anything”: Cheap Woman Gets What She Paid For After Ex-Tenant’s Petty RevengeWoman Refuses To Pay For Previous Tenant’s Stuff, Regrets It When She Leaves NothingWoman Gambles Previous Tenant Will Leave Her Stuff Behind, She Leaves Concrete Floors InsteadNew Tenant Realizes Mistake The Hard Way After Refusing To Pay For Furnishings Leaves Her With Bare FloorsWoman Leaves Bare Apartment For Next Tenant After They Refused To Pay Extra“She Gambled Wrong”: New Tenant Gets Stripped Apartment When She Decides To Be Cheap
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Revenge is a long list of things, best served cold, cathartic, taxing and perhaps all-consuming, but sometimes it’s just plain, old funny. After all, it’s not all “The Count of Monte Cristo,” sometimes it’s just an annoying person getting their due.

A woman shared her tale of petty revenge, when a new tenant tried to lowball her to keep the furnishings she installed. Instead of a great deal, she ended up with a barren apartment. We reached out to the woman in the story via private message and will update the article when she gets back to us.

In some countries, you tend to rent unfurnished apartments which you fix up yourself

Image credits:  JulieAlexK/Envato elements (not the actual photo)

So one woman, after spending a pretty penny on renovations, was surprised to be lowballed by a new tenant

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Image credits: i Shea/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: SteadfastDharma

In some countries, residences come basically unfurnished

Image credits: Curtis Adams/Pexels (not the actual photo)

If you are somewhat confused by what happened here, there are some clarifying details that might help you (the woman in the text also shares some more answers below.) Depending on where you are, it’s actually quite normal for tenants to move into fully unfurnished apartments and homes. This is quite common in Western European countries, where, in some cases, you will have to supply the entire kitchen yourself. This is just one of those differences in how various places and generations approach looking for a place to live.

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The result is, if you are a long term tenant, naturally, you won’t just be living for years on end in a barren home. This means, among other things, that everything from the garden to the tiles are basically managed, purchased and installed by the tenant. While it’s not always the case, on long-term leases, this tends to be the norm in some places. Incidentally, this is a good reminder of why it’s vital to always do your research when you plan to spend some serious money in a new country.

Now, what happens when the tenant moves? Well, it depends. As in this case, sometimes the incoming tenant pays for the “added” stuff, sometimes the old tenant just leaves it and sometimes the outgoing person simply takes their stuff with them. Sometimes the person who owns the building buys it as well. It’s also important to note that this isn’t always the case, one can find furnished apartments in Western Europe, they do exist, it’s just important to note that it’s not necessarily the default.

Lowballing is a valid strategy, but it can definitely backfire

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Image credits: Kindel Media/Pexels (not the actual photo)

It would appear that this particular new tenant was operating under the (incorrect) assumption that it would be too much of a hassle, so the previous tenant would simply acquiesce to her requests. This was, as we see here, utterly incorrect. Instead, we are granted the somewhat hilarious visual of a person showing up to a home and seeing very possible multiple bare walls and floors.

Imagine spending time packing, traveling and moving your stuff, then, exhaustively, realizing there isn’t even a bed frame or sofa left for you to use. As the old tenant states in a response which can be found below, this can even include the flooring, from hardwood to carpeting. While this would be a terrible experience to be on the receiving end of, a cheapskate not even having a floor is somewhat poetic and hilarious.

All in all, this is just a good example of why being cheap doesn’t necessarily pay off. One way or another, there is no such thing as a free lunch, nor kitchen, floor, mixer, fridge, the list goes on and on. So don’t forget to actually be able to pay for the things you want.

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Some folks wanted more details

Many thought the entire thing was funny

Others shared similar stories

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Justin Sandberg

Justin Sandberg

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

I am a writer at Bored Panda. Despite being born in the US, I ended up spending most of my life in Europe, from Latvia, Austria, and Georgia to finally settling in Lithuania. At Bored Panda, you’ll find me covering topics ranging from the cat meme of the day to red flags in the workplace and really anything else. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, beating other people at board games, cooking, good books, and bad films.

Read less »
Justin Sandberg

Justin Sandberg

Writer, BoredPanda staff

I am a writer at Bored Panda. Despite being born in the US, I ended up spending most of my life in Europe, from Latvia, Austria, and Georgia to finally settling in Lithuania. At Bored Panda, you’ll find me covering topics ranging from the cat meme of the day to red flags in the workplace and really anything else. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, beating other people at board games, cooking, good books, and bad films.

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

Read less »

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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8Yorkies-and-33cats
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's always good to hear both sides of the story. What if the new tennant could simply not afford it? Of course, she could have communicated that more clearly so that a middle ground could be found. People in need may not always show it.

farbenzirkel
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would simply be too lazy to remove things just out of spite. So yes: I would take everything that I can still use myself or that I can sell. But I would leave everything else as it is. Putting more time into it would be like putting more money into the old house myself. And that just for a lesson.

SpongeBob SquarePants
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This story just seems like a weird thing to brag about. You took your stuff, new owner was upset. Ok? Who actually cares.

Ken Beattie
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's an interesting story. Here in Australia renting is different. Most times flooring, paint/wallpaper, fittings and basic landscaping is the responsibility of the landlord not the tenant. So the idea of someone completely gutting a place and actually being in the right when they leave is mind boggling.

Load More Replies...
Sedona
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something tells me the woman simply didn't have the money to buy everything from her? You know, being in social housing and all that.

Nizumi
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not social housing like in North American. I don't fully understand it, but it's more of a communal idea? Housing society? Someone who knows can explain it better. But it's not housing for people on social assistance.

Load More Replies...
GB
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus. Sounds really petty all the way around. Removing the landscaping too?! You can't easily dig up and transplant a mature tree like that. Tha chances of it surviving are slim to none. I get taking stuff you want to reuse, but it appears that the OP took everything away simply out of spite. I get the feeling she would rather throw something away than allow the new tenant to use it.

Alexandra
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in social housing a long time ago. When we moved, the new tenants came to have a look at the lay-out of the apartment. We could see they had even less money to spend than we did when we started out. They asked whether it was at all possible if they could buy a few things from us, you know, kitchen shelves we put up ourselves, a nice outdoor set on the balcony, just practical things that make it a bit easier when you move in the first time. Of course we let them have it for free, simply because they didn't act entitled. Work with me and I will work with you, it's simple. OP did the right thing: she didn't enable bad behaviour.

Load More Replies...
momjeans
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I would sort of welcome it so I could start from scratch with things I like

digitalin
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so weird to me. In the US, the basic rule for renting is that the walls, flooring, fixtures, etc are included. When buying, the general rule is anything nailed down (cabinets, garden, fixtures) but almost everything is negotiable. The idea of digging up a garden is insane. I realize that housing agreements are completely different in other countries, but this just seems like so much work just to spite someone.

Hannah Taylor
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my dad rented a house, the landlord waited until he had fixed up the place to give him six days to move out (legal in California at the time). My dad left the place exactly how he found it: peeling paint, exposed wiring, faulty plumbing, overgrown garden. The reasons for this? For one thing, it was a known fact that nobody screwed with my old man. For another, he had just regained custody of us kids and needed to provide adequate housing. Otherwise, we could have ended up as wards of the court again. For someone with a sixth-grade education, he was the smartest man I know.

Load More Replies...
ZGutr
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I aim for a solution we both benefit from and so I usually say "A very low charge (sometimes No charge), but i'll leave it all or nothing".

DB
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People I bought my first house from were having trouble getting rid of some of the furnishings. I told them it was ok to leave anything behind they couldn't get rid of. I got a complete bedroom set, dining room set, kitchen set, couch, several small tables, pots and pans, silverware, two air conditioners and a garage full of gardening tools. We both did each other a huge favor.

Sivi
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bought some of the furniture in my apartment from previous owner. Cant complain paying 500 nokr for a huge corner couch thats atleast 30k nokr. Got 2 huge flower pots for free as they were too heavy for their move.

BoredPossum
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I come from, if you rent a place, it's unfurnished, you don't even leave toilet paper.

Russell Styles
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the USA, it is common for an apartment to be unfurnished, with carpet, wood or vinyl flooring, cabinets in kitchen, refrigerator, stove & oven. No washer or dryer, but might have hookups for them. Ceiling lights in some rooms.

Linnoff
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was finishing college, graduation was about a month after my lease ended and landlord wouldn't allow a single month extension, so I had to renew for the year. Fortunately was able to find a new student to take over the lease after me. He was very nice about the whole process, even helped us pack a few things into the truck when he got there and we hadn't finished yet, so we helped him unload a bit as well.

Katchen
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand the furniture not coming with the house, but the flooring and wallpaper that fits in one apartment won’t fit in another. So it will just go to waste when it’s ripped up. That is planet-killingly insane.

Nitka Tsar
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally something from Europe! This is SO funny! I love it! It‘s similar here in Germany.

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

“PeterThinking,” who had saved his kid’s rent intending to give it back as a down payment in a house, is genius. Dopey kid leaves a pile of trash so he spends the money! He has GOT to tell the kid so the idiot learns a valuable lesson (and because the shocked face he’ll get to see will be sooo worth it!) I am aghast, however, at people taking FLOORS with them when they go! I can’t even imagine arriving with my boxes and I hafta put in a DLOOR before I can unpack! Urgh; ovine is bad enough without that kinda nonsense. At least they seem to leave the walls behind. 😕

Charles McChristy
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You cut down an 20+ year old tree out of spite?! You are what's wrong with the world.

Fairytails From Other Worlds
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finland. Tenants are not allowed to do any changes without permission from the owner. Not even change doorknobs. Putting own flooring and wallpaper and stuff like in NL just blows my mind.

SilverSkyCloud
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i can understand op wanting money to leave things like appliances, furniture, carpets and curtains/blinds but wallpaper? at least carpets can be taken up and t re-use put somewhere else

Nizumi
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just the other the day they were talking on the radio about how tenants these days (Quebec) expect there to be a fridge, stove, and at least the entries for a washer/dryer. One caller even said he won't take an apartment that doesn't come with a dishwasher. With the lack of affordable rentals, I'm stunned at the gall of people.

Russell Styles
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dishwashers are bolted down, so they come with the apartment. Assuming you did not buy it yourself.

Load More Replies...
8Yorkies-and-33cats
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's always good to hear both sides of the story. What if the new tennant could simply not afford it? Of course, she could have communicated that more clearly so that a middle ground could be found. People in need may not always show it.

farbenzirkel
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would simply be too lazy to remove things just out of spite. So yes: I would take everything that I can still use myself or that I can sell. But I would leave everything else as it is. Putting more time into it would be like putting more money into the old house myself. And that just for a lesson.

SpongeBob SquarePants
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This story just seems like a weird thing to brag about. You took your stuff, new owner was upset. Ok? Who actually cares.

Ken Beattie
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's an interesting story. Here in Australia renting is different. Most times flooring, paint/wallpaper, fittings and basic landscaping is the responsibility of the landlord not the tenant. So the idea of someone completely gutting a place and actually being in the right when they leave is mind boggling.

Load More Replies...
Sedona
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something tells me the woman simply didn't have the money to buy everything from her? You know, being in social housing and all that.

Nizumi
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not social housing like in North American. I don't fully understand it, but it's more of a communal idea? Housing society? Someone who knows can explain it better. But it's not housing for people on social assistance.

Load More Replies...
GB
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus. Sounds really petty all the way around. Removing the landscaping too?! You can't easily dig up and transplant a mature tree like that. Tha chances of it surviving are slim to none. I get taking stuff you want to reuse, but it appears that the OP took everything away simply out of spite. I get the feeling she would rather throw something away than allow the new tenant to use it.

Alexandra
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in social housing a long time ago. When we moved, the new tenants came to have a look at the lay-out of the apartment. We could see they had even less money to spend than we did when we started out. They asked whether it was at all possible if they could buy a few things from us, you know, kitchen shelves we put up ourselves, a nice outdoor set on the balcony, just practical things that make it a bit easier when you move in the first time. Of course we let them have it for free, simply because they didn't act entitled. Work with me and I will work with you, it's simple. OP did the right thing: she didn't enable bad behaviour.

Load More Replies...
momjeans
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I would sort of welcome it so I could start from scratch with things I like

digitalin
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so weird to me. In the US, the basic rule for renting is that the walls, flooring, fixtures, etc are included. When buying, the general rule is anything nailed down (cabinets, garden, fixtures) but almost everything is negotiable. The idea of digging up a garden is insane. I realize that housing agreements are completely different in other countries, but this just seems like so much work just to spite someone.

Hannah Taylor
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my dad rented a house, the landlord waited until he had fixed up the place to give him six days to move out (legal in California at the time). My dad left the place exactly how he found it: peeling paint, exposed wiring, faulty plumbing, overgrown garden. The reasons for this? For one thing, it was a known fact that nobody screwed with my old man. For another, he had just regained custody of us kids and needed to provide adequate housing. Otherwise, we could have ended up as wards of the court again. For someone with a sixth-grade education, he was the smartest man I know.

Load More Replies...
ZGutr
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I aim for a solution we both benefit from and so I usually say "A very low charge (sometimes No charge), but i'll leave it all or nothing".

DB
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People I bought my first house from were having trouble getting rid of some of the furnishings. I told them it was ok to leave anything behind they couldn't get rid of. I got a complete bedroom set, dining room set, kitchen set, couch, several small tables, pots and pans, silverware, two air conditioners and a garage full of gardening tools. We both did each other a huge favor.

Sivi
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bought some of the furniture in my apartment from previous owner. Cant complain paying 500 nokr for a huge corner couch thats atleast 30k nokr. Got 2 huge flower pots for free as they were too heavy for their move.

BoredPossum
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I come from, if you rent a place, it's unfurnished, you don't even leave toilet paper.

Russell Styles
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the USA, it is common for an apartment to be unfurnished, with carpet, wood or vinyl flooring, cabinets in kitchen, refrigerator, stove & oven. No washer or dryer, but might have hookups for them. Ceiling lights in some rooms.

Linnoff
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was finishing college, graduation was about a month after my lease ended and landlord wouldn't allow a single month extension, so I had to renew for the year. Fortunately was able to find a new student to take over the lease after me. He was very nice about the whole process, even helped us pack a few things into the truck when he got there and we hadn't finished yet, so we helped him unload a bit as well.

Katchen
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand the furniture not coming with the house, but the flooring and wallpaper that fits in one apartment won’t fit in another. So it will just go to waste when it’s ripped up. That is planet-killingly insane.

Nitka Tsar
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally something from Europe! This is SO funny! I love it! It‘s similar here in Germany.

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

“PeterThinking,” who had saved his kid’s rent intending to give it back as a down payment in a house, is genius. Dopey kid leaves a pile of trash so he spends the money! He has GOT to tell the kid so the idiot learns a valuable lesson (and because the shocked face he’ll get to see will be sooo worth it!) I am aghast, however, at people taking FLOORS with them when they go! I can’t even imagine arriving with my boxes and I hafta put in a DLOOR before I can unpack! Urgh; ovine is bad enough without that kinda nonsense. At least they seem to leave the walls behind. 😕

Charles McChristy
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You cut down an 20+ year old tree out of spite?! You are what's wrong with the world.

Fairytails From Other Worlds
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finland. Tenants are not allowed to do any changes without permission from the owner. Not even change doorknobs. Putting own flooring and wallpaper and stuff like in NL just blows my mind.

SilverSkyCloud
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i can understand op wanting money to leave things like appliances, furniture, carpets and curtains/blinds but wallpaper? at least carpets can be taken up and t re-use put somewhere else

Nizumi
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just the other the day they were talking on the radio about how tenants these days (Quebec) expect there to be a fridge, stove, and at least the entries for a washer/dryer. One caller even said he won't take an apartment that doesn't come with a dishwasher. With the lack of affordable rentals, I'm stunned at the gall of people.

Russell Styles
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dishwashers are bolted down, so they come with the apartment. Assuming you did not buy it yourself.

Load More Replies...
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