How One Penny a Month Became the Ultimate Petty Revenge Against a Landlord
Ever been hit with one of those seemingly arbitrary move-out charges from your landlord—no explanation, no negotiation, just a bill out of nowhere? You’re not alone. But what if, instead of just paying up or fighting back in court, you took the slow road… the really, really slow road? Welcome to the saga of the one-cent-a-month revenge, a story so petty it might just outlast us all.
When Reddit user u/imagetarplayer found themselves facing a $150 carpet cleaning fee upon moving out of their apartment, they did what many of us would do: tried to talk it out. Unfortunately, the property managers weren’t interested in discussion, just collection. But where others might have grumbled and paid, u/imagetarplayer noticed a loophole—unlimited repayment terms, any amount, any length of time. You can probably guess where this is going, but trust me, it’s even better than you think.
The Birth of the 1,300-Year Payoff
Let’s set the scene: Our hero moves out, finds a $150 charge for “carpet cleaning” despite the carpet showing only normal wear and tear (no wild parties, no pet disasters, just… shoes and gravity). When they try to reason with the landlord, they’re met with a brick wall. The only olive branch? “You can pay in any amount, over any time frame.”
So, u/imagetarplayer gets creative. Instead of coughing up the cash, they set up a payment plan: one penny per month, charged to their credit card. At this rate, they’ll be debt-free in about 1,300 years. As they put it, “I figure by then either the carpet, the building, or civilization itself will be gone, but technically I’m honoring the agreement they gave me.”
If you’re skeptical, they even posted a screenshot of their monthly one-cent charges. This isn’t just a revenge fantasy—it’s happening. And the community absolutely noticed.
Reddit Reacts: Reposts, Rules, and Righteousness
This post didn’t just spark a chuckle—it set off a community debate about rental practices, legalities, and the fine art of pettiness. High-scoring commenter u/CoderJoe1 pointed out, “Repost, I read this recently,” sparking a sub-thread about whether this was a brilliant act of vengeance or just the internet’s favorite déjà vu. As u/Marmmoth noted, “Yep this was posted verbatim about a day ago… Maybe OP removed it and reposted?” It seems even petty revenge stories can have second acts.
But the repost drama aside, the real meat of the discussion was about landlord-tenant laws. As u/CandylandCanada chimed in, “In some jurisdictions they are prohibited from charging a cleaning fee for normal wear-and-tear because they are legally required to change the carpeting for each new tenant.” Good to know next time you find yourself fighting a similar battle!
Other commenters, like u/CommercialExotic2038, offered practical advice: “Take them to small claims court. They can’t charge for normal wear and tear.” But as u/serastar18 sensibly replied, the time and potential expense of court (plus the need for move-in/move-out photos) often make petty revenge the sweeter, simpler path.
And then there’s the straight-faced reality check from u/JohnLuckPikard: “$150 for carpet cleaning is cheap.” Well, maybe, but it’s the principle that counts, right?
The Art of Petty Revenge (and Why It Feels So Good)
What makes this story so delicious isn’t just the slow-drip repayment—it’s the spirit of playful rebellion. Petty revenge is about reclaiming a little power in an otherwise powerless situation. When the system is rigid and impersonal, sometimes the best response is to become just as unyielding (but much funnier).
The Reddit crowd seems to agree. Even as they debated the post’s originality, the majority agreed that this kind of micro-rebellion was preferable to a drawn-out legal battle. After all, if the landlord offers “any amount, any time,” who’s to say a penny a month isn’t fair game?
Let’s not forget the unique satisfaction of knowing that somewhere, a property management company is getting a monthly statement for $0.01, and someone has to process it. The revenge isn’t just slow—it’s administrative.
Lessons Learned: Know Your Rights, and Keep Your Sense of Humor
This story is more than just a laugh—it’s a reminder to read the fine print, know your rights, and sometimes, to fight back in unexpected ways. As several commenters pointed out, documenting the condition of your apartment (photos, checklists, emails) can save you headaches down the line. And if you do find yourself on the receiving end of a dubious charge, creativity might just be your best weapon.
But maybe the best takeaway is this: Sometimes, the best revenge isn’t quick or dramatic. Sometimes it’s a penny at a time, stretching into eternity, with a smile.
What’s your favorite petty revenge story? Have you ever taken the long road just to prove a point? Share your experience in the comments below—we’re here for every tiny victory!
Original Reddit Post: Offer me unlimited repayment terms and I'm going to take it.