How a Few Inches of Petty Revenge Made an Apartment Unsellable
If you’ve ever rented from a hands-off landlord, you know the frustration: endless voicemails, promises that repairs are coming “soon,” and the slow creeping realization that you’re on your own. But what if you could get a little revenge—so subtle, so petty, that the landlord never even knew what hit them? One Redditor’s friend did just that, proving that sometimes the best payback comes in tiny, calculated doses.
The tale, shared on r/PettyRevenge, begins with a classic setup: a tenant, a neglectful landlord, and a final chance for sweet, sweet retribution. The weapon? Not a dramatic confrontation or a scorched-earth email, but something much more devious—and oddly satisfying.
When Life Gives You Lemons, Rearrange the Furniture
Our protagonist’s friend had endured the kind of landlord horror stories that would make any renter shudder: no heat during winter for a month, radio silence when things broke, and a landlord whose sympathy was as empty as the promises he made. So, when the friend finally found a new place and gave notice, the end was in sight—almost.
But then, in a twist that would make any tenant roll their eyes, the landlord suddenly became interested again. He wanted to show the apartment to prospective new renters and, of course, asked for permission to send in a photographer… while the tenant was at work. Sure, go ahead, said the friend. But not before hatching a plan.
Instead of trashing the place or doing anything destructive (which we definitely do NOT recommend), the friend opted for a move as clever as it was hilarious: he shifted all the living room furniture about eight inches closer to the center of the room. Couches, chairs, coffee tables—everything that had been against the walls now crowded the middle. The result? The already small apartment looked like a sardine can in the photographer’s lens.
The Power of Illusion: Why Staging Matters
Realtors and landlords know that staging is everything. There’s a reason you’ll see mirrors strategically placed in listings, or why model homes smell like freshly baked cookies. With the right angles and arrangements, even a shoebox can look palatial. But when the layout works against you—thanks to a little “creative” rearranging—photos can kill a sale faster than you can say “open concept.”
So when potential tenants scrolled past the listing photos of this apartment, what did they see? Not a cozy starter home, but a cramped, cluttered maze. “Why does that couch look like it’s eating the coffee table?” “Is there even room to walk?” “Did a giant play Tetris with the furniture?” The mind boggles, the browser clicks away, and the landlord is left refreshing the listing, wondering why no one’s biting.
The Sweetness of Petty Revenge
Let’s be honest: everyone’s had a fantasy about getting back at a lousy landlord. But what makes this act of revenge so perfect is its harmlessness. No property was damaged, no contracts broken, no angry confrontations or scorched-earth reviews. Just a little spatial magic that said, “You made my life smaller, so here’s a taste of your own medicine.”
Best of all? It worked. According to the original poster, the apartment was still on the market a month later, languishing in listing limbo while potential renters passed it by. Was it the price? The location? Or maybe, just maybe, it was the inexplicable feeling that you’d need to turn sideways to get to the kitchen.
Lessons in Landlord-Tenant Karma
If you’re a landlord reading this, take note: communication and basic upkeep go a long way. For tenants, this story is a reminder that sometimes the best revenge is also the most creative—and the most fun.
And for the rest of us? Next time you’re feeling powerless in the face of indifference, remember: sometimes, all it takes is eight inches and a little imagination to tip the scales.
Have you ever gotten petty revenge on a landlord, roommate, or neighbor? Share your stories in the comments below—let’s swap tales of creative justice!
Inspired by: Apartment just got smaller - r/PettyRevenge
Original Reddit Post: Apartment just got smaller