Tenant avoids landlord’s ‘highway robbery’ with $28 stove burner hack: ‘Absolutely unacceptable’
A renter found a cheap and easy way to avoid her landlord’s questionable move-out charges, and the viral footage is sparking an important conversation about renters’ rights.
TikTok user Payton (@paytopotatoe) gained over 3.3 million views, 449,000 likes, 18,000 saves and 3,000 comments when she uploaded the money-saving apartment advice to her account.
Now, much like the renter who allegedly caught her landlord red-handed in a slimy security deposit scam, Payton is teaching apartment dwellers how to avoid management’s crafty money traps.
Payton’s video — captioned “Highway robbery honestly” — was filmed while she and her young family were in the process of moving out.
According to Payton, she received a checklist of items that have to be cleaned before moving out. One of those items was stove burner pans, which would cost Payton $25 each to replace if they were “left gross.”
“If you look at them, they’ve been used for four years. They’re dirty and they’re a pain to clean,” Payton explains, showing viewers her well-worn burner pans.
Rather than spending hours cleaning the pans — or paying the building management $100 to have them replaced — Payton went to Home Depot and purchased a pack of four burner pans for only $28. “I’m just going to replace them myself,” she says.
The landlord’s checklist also specified that any burned-out lightbulb would cost Payton and her family $10 each to replace. So to avoid that, she picked up a pack of cheap lightbulbs and took care of those herself too.
What is considered normal wear and tear in rentals?
While many TikTokers took to the comments to thank Payton for her money-saving advice, others voiced concern about the legality of her property management’s move-out policies.
“Charging you for normal wear and tear is wild to me,” wrote @yeosdonut.
“I do believe that’s illegal to charge for wear and tear. might wanna look into that,” commented @lphillips20.
“As someone who’s worked in property management for a long time. This is absolutely unacceptable. Light bulbs are part of getting a unit move in ready!” wrote @taylorlealocklear.
According to RentSpree, a rental software company, normal wear and tear is defined as the expected deterioration of a unit caused by a tenant’s everyday use. “This could include things like wobbly doorknobs, worn carpet, or small scratches on walls and flooring.”
RentSpree goes on to say that landlords cannot charge tenants for normal wear and tear. “No matter what state or jurisdiction your property falls under, you cannot legally charge a tenant for deterioration caused by normal wear and tear.”
‘they do NOT want to give $$ back!!’
TikTokers were grateful for Payton’s advice — and many added tips of their own in the comments.
“Take pictures of everything. EVERYTHING,” advised @thisisliteralgarbage.
“*Future tip* If you know you are moving out at the end of your lease, start filling maintenance request.Slowly have THEM replace everything,” suggested @mypendejadas.
“do a walk thru w/your landlord as well!! don’t expect them to do it on their own & NOT take things OFF!! they do NOT want to give $$ back!!” wrote @gsd_luvvr1.
In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News — follow us here!
The post Tenant avoids landlord’s ‘highway robbery’ with $28 stove burner hack: ‘Absolutely unacceptable’ appeared first on In The Know.
More from In The Know:
10 plants on Amazon we bet you didn't even know you can buy on Amazon
