u/Maddison_chloe

When I moved out of my last apartment, I spent an entire weekend scrubbing every surface, floorboard, and appliance. My landlord still deducted $200 from my security deposit for "professional deep cleaning," claiming the oven and baseboards weren't up to standard. I didn't have the energy to fight it legally, so I let it go.

Fast forward three weeks: I realized a package was accidentally delivered to my old address. I went back to pick it up and got to talking with the new tenant.

I asked her if the place looked spotless when she moved in. She laughed and said:

"Are you kidding? The oven was full of old grease, the baseboards were dusty, and I spent my entire first day wiping down the cabinets before I could even unpack."

He stole $200 out of my deposit under the guise of hiring a "cleaning service," pocketed every single cent, and handed the key directly to a new tenant without spending a dime or lifting a finger.

It was never about maintenance, it was just a final tax on my way out the door.

I’m so exhausted by landlords complaining about how "hard" their "job" is.

When I called my landlord yesterday about a pipe leaking under the bathroom sink, he sighed, told me he was "extremely busy," and asked if I could just put a bucket under it until next week because plumber calls are "too expensive right now."

Meanwhile, I work 45 hours a week in healthcare, and 50% of my paycheck goes straight to his bank account on the 1st of every month without fail.

If collecting a direct deposit, ignoring basic maintenance, and waiting for property values to inflate is considered "hard labor," then sign me up. They want all the passive income of an investment with zero of the responsibilities of being a provider of essential shelter.

For me, it was buying a proper black-out curtain and a high-quality stainless steel water bottle. It completely changed my sleep and daily hydration.

What is a relatively cheap purchase or small habit change you made that had a surprisingly massive impact on your day-to-day comfort? Looking for some simple inspiration!