Landlord refused to cover $300 in clothes ruined by a faulty dryer — his own response gave the tenant the perfect way to get even
Many tenants struggle with rules, leases, and non-negotiables put forth by landlords. Even after complying, they are tricked and end up incurring losses. A Reddit user who goes by u/OzTheMeh shared a post on Thursday, September 3, 2026, explaining how a homeowner tried to take advantage of them when they requested compensation after a faulty dryer ruined $300 worth of clothes. After his refusal, the renter took matters into their own hands. Months before they could move out, they decided to get even with a petty move.
A month into using the premium laundry room, the dryer burned the tenant’s clothes to the point where they were charred. Since they were worth $300, the tenant emailed the pictures and asked for compensation. However, the landlord refused, saying, “The lease is clear and does not include a washer or dryer.” He added that he was not responsible for any of the items left behind by previous guests. So the renter paid out of pocket to fix the dryer, and months before moving out, they sold the washer and the dryer. When the man learned what happened, he sent them an angry message, demanding they return his equipment. However, they shot back, “As you stated, the lease clearly states there was not a washer/dryer included, and you confirm that below.”
The tenant had spoken to a few previous renters and the neighbors and realized that the homeowner was cruel. He never returned any of the security deposits that renters paid. Furthermore, they learned that the property was considered a desirable place to live because the former tenants had left it better than they found it, and because the neighborhood was good.
So when the landlord tried to trick them, they used his own words to take revenge. It worked out brilliantly. They noted, “I still came out ahead because I pocketed about the same as our deposit, the repair costs, the burnt clothes, and maybe $100 for my troubles.” Commenters applauded the shrewd response. u/HecticHermes wrote, “You deserve a standing ovation.” u/KIKIKATZ suggested, “Be petty and take him to court for the deposit too.” u/Israfake remarked, “Reading this made me feel fantastic.”
It is important to read the fine print in leases and know how such policies work to avoid being tricked. In another instance, a landlord tried to exploit a woman, but her experience working at the Rental Housing Tribunal resulted in a victory for her. After dealing with rental disputes and becoming well-versed in terms, laws, and policies about housing, she knew just how to respond when the homeowner fined her for failure to pay on time.
She represented herself, and drawing on the policies she knew, she presented her case about the payment. Later, she even brought up months’ worth of evidence showing that the property was not maintained. “You're supposed to give the other party the evidence beforehand, but I knew about that leeway an adjudicator gives to those who represent themselves,” she noted. Using this to her advantage, she acquired a $13,000 judgment in her favor.